# Screens 5 vs Maccess

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Maccess at 100% against Screens 5's 49%. Maccess also leads on update cadence (every 2 days vs fortnightly). Screens 5's advantage is device support (4 vs 1). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Screens 5 sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and Maccess sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Screens 5 ships an update fortnightly, Maccess every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Screens 5 | Maccess |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.5 (590 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/screens-5-vnc-remote-desktop/id1663047912/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **590** | — |
| Positive reviews | 49.2% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | **Every 2 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Freemium |
| Size | 69 MB | 106 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | **17.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Mac, Vision Pro** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Edovia Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/284606519) | [Maira Akram](https://appshunter.io/developer/1896429720) |

## What reviewers say

### Screens 5

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/screens-5-vnc-remote-desktop/id1663047912)

Access your Mac, Windows, Linux, or Raspberry Pi computers remotely from your Apple devices. Offers fast, secure, and reliable desktop access for work, travel, or helping others. Integrates with modern workflows and system features for seamless control.

**Highlights:** Remote access to Mac, Windows, Linux, Raspberry Pi, Fast and secure VNC connections, Curtain Mode for private sessions, SSH connections and key support, Clipboard and file transfer, Multi-display support, Siri and Shortcuts integration

**Features:** Family Sharing, iPhone Duo support

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Subscription | $4.99 | per month |
| Yearly Subscription | $29.49 | per year |
| Yearly Subscription | $29.99 | per year |
| Lifetime Family Upgrade | Free | one-time |
| Lifetime | $199.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Excellent remote access
- 👍 Intuitive and user-friendly interface
- 🔒 Secure SSH-based remote control
- 👍 Native to Apple ecosystem
- 🚀 High-quality remote desktop rendering

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Unreliable connection and frequent disconnections
- 💰 Expensive subscription model
- 🔒 Requires complex networking setup (port forwarding, Tailscale)
- 🐛 Issues with full-screen mode and window management
- 🐛 Telemetry and analytics cannot be disabled

**Reported bugs**

- Inability to delete auto-saved nearby devices
- Inconsistent behavior when editing device configurations
- Screens Connect failing to work reliably

**Requested features**

- Ability to block remote input while keeping remote desktop visible
- File transfer between Mac and iOS/iPadOS
- Upgrade pricing for existing users


### Maccess

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/maccess/id6774586700)

Control your Mac remotely from your iPhone. Manage files, control media, and even use an AI assistant to perform tasks on your computer, all through an encrypted connection. Essential features are free locally, with advanced options available via subscription.

**Highlights:** Remote trackpad and keyboard control, Live screen mirroring, AI assistant for task execution, File browsing and management, Media and volume control, Send files from iPhone to Mac, Spotlight search on Mac

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Maccess Pro Monthly | $4.99 | per month |
| Maccess Pro Yearly | $39.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Screens 5 free?

Screens 5 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Maccess free?

Maccess is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do Screens 5 or Maccess have ads?

Neither Screens 5 nor Maccess shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Screens 5 or Maccess?

Screens 5 ships an update fortnightly, and Maccess every 2 days. Most recently, Screens 5 was updated on October 30, 2026 and Maccess on October 28, 2026.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*