Screens 5 vs Sprinkle Smart
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Screens 5
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.
- 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
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Access your computers from anywhere. Screens lets you remotely access your Mac, Windows PC, Linux PC, or Raspberry Pi from your iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Vision Pro. Whether you’re connecting to a remote workstation, a headless Mac mini, or helping friends and family, Screens delivers fast, secure, and reliable remote desktop access wherever you are. REMOTE ACCESS FROM ANYWHERE Remote access is built right into Screens on Mac. For older Macs and Windows PCs, install Screens Connect to easily set up remote access over the internet. Need to connect to Linux or Raspberry Pi? Screens also integrates with Tailscale for secure, hassle-free connections. FAST, SECURE REMOTE DESKTOP ACCESS Screens is optimized for responsive remote control with support for: • Curtain Mode for private remote sessions on Mac • SSH connections and SSH keys • Secure password storage and quick logins • Observe or control remote computers • Adaptive and Full display quality BUILT FOR MODERN REMOTE WORKFLOWS Use Screens to: • Access remote Macs, PCs, Linux systems, and Raspberry Pi devices • Connect to headless Mac mini setups and remote workstations • Monitor long-running tasks from anywhere • Help friends, family, or coworkers remotely • Access your computers while traveling or away from home DO MORE WITH SCREENS Take advantage of powerful system features across iPhone and iPad: • Connect using Siri, Shortcuts, and Spotlight • Quickly connect to saved computers from widgets • Use external keyboards, mice, and trackpads • Use Apple Pencil on iPad • Display your remote computer on an external display with AirPlay POWERFUL FEATURES • Multi-display support • Clipboard sharing • File transfer between iPhone, iPad, or Vision Pro and Mac • Customizable connection settings for individual computers • Dictation support for remote text input • Session selection on Mac • iCloud synchronization • Full URL Schemes support • Touch ID, Face ID, Apple Watch, and password protection COMPATIBILITY • Connect from iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Vision Pro • Connect to Mac, Windows PC, Linux PC, and Raspberry Pi • Screens Connect is built into Screens for Mac on macOS 14.6 or later • Standalone Screens Connect is available for Macs running macOS 10.13 or later and PCs running Windows 10 or later • Clipboard sharing on Windows and Linux supports text only • Sound transmission is not supported due to VNC protocol limitations • Screens does not support connections to iPhone, iPad, or Vision Pro devices Screens gives you secure, reliable access to your computers anytime, anywhere. Privacy Policy: https://screens.app/privacy Terms of Use: https://screens.app/terms
Sprinkle Smart
This app monitors local weather forecasts to prevent unnecessary sprinkler use. It sends automatic notifications when rain is expected, saving water and money. An Apple Watch companion app is also available.
- Automatic daily forecast checks
- Rain notification alerts
- Multi-day outlook for rainy periods
- Apple Watch app integration
- Zip code based location
- Ad-free and privacy focused
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Sprinkle Smart checks the rain forecast for you — so your sprinklers don't run on a day it's about to pour. Just enter your zip code once. Sprinkle Smart checks the forecast automatically and sends you a free notification when rain is expected, so you know to skip watering that day. If rain is expected for several days in a row, it tells you how long to leave your sprinklers off. FEATURES - Automatic daily forecast checks — no need to open the app - Morning notification with the day's forecast and a clear "skip watering" or "sprinklers OK" call - Multi-day outlook — know how many days to leave sprinklers off during a rainy stretch - Sign in with Google or create a free account - Apple Watch app — check the forecast right from your wrist - No location permission needed — just your zip code - Simple, ad-free, and respects your privacy Save water. Save money. Let Sprinkle Smart watch the sky so you don't have to.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Sprinkle Smart at 100% against Screens 5's 49%. Sprinkle Smart also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 6) and rating (5.0 vs 4.5). Screens 5's advantage is ratings volume (608 vs 1) and update cadence (fortnightly vs every 6 weeks). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Screens 5 sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Sprinkle Smart asks for nothing beyond the download.
Sprinkle Smart holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Screens 5 has 608 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 49% of Screens 5's written reviews are positive against 100% of Sprinkle Smart's.
Screens 5 ships an update fortnightly, Sprinkle Smart every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 7, 2026 and November 10, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Screens 5 | Sprinkle Smart |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.5 (608 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 49.2% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 608 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly — better | Every 6 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac, Vision Pro — better | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | 17.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 69 MB | 4 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Edovia Inc. | Pete Organics |
Customer experience
Screens 5
Sprinkle Smart
Bugs and requests
Screens 5
Reported bugs
3 issues- Inability to delete auto-saved nearby devices
- Inconsistent behavior when editing device configurations
- Screens Connect failing to work reliably
Requested features
3 requests- Ability to block remote input while keeping remote desktop visible
- File transfer between Mac and iOS/iPadOS
- Upgrade pricing for existing users
Sprinkle Smart
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Screens 5
- Monthly Subscription$4.991 Month
- Yearly Subscription7 Days trial$29.491 Year
- Yearly Subscription7 Days trial$29.991 Year
- Lifetime Family UpgradeFree
- Lifetime2 variants$199.99
Sprinkle Smart
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Screens 5 free?
Is Sprinkle Smart free?
Which has better reviews, Screens 5 or Sprinkle Smart?
Do Screens 5 or Sprinkle Smart have ads?
Which is updated more often, Screens 5 or Sprinkle Smart?
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