Comparison

Tab Display vs External Display Desktop

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Tab Display

Transform your iPhone or iPad into a second screen for your Mac or Windows computer. Extend your display wirelessly or via USB and enjoy customizable resolution and video playback. A free download with an optional purchase to remove ads.

Highlights
  • Extend computer display to iOS device
  • Wireless and USB connectivity
  • Customizable resolution settings
  • Remote video playback
  • Portrait and landscape modes
  • Smooth streaming via WebRTC
Features
Read full description

Please download the macOS or Windows application from the official website -- https://tab-display.enfpdev.com -- Tab Display allows users to seamlessly transform their iPhone or iPad into an external display for their MacBook or Windows desktop or laptop. With this app, users can extend their screen and receive video of the virtual display on their iOS device. It supports both wireless connections using Wi-Fi and wired connections through USB tethering (Note: Devices that do not support USB tethering (Wi-Fi only devices) cannot use the wired connection feature) Tab Display is free to download and use. However, an in-app purchase is available to remove advertisements. Tab Display supports both portrait mode and landscape mode, giving users the flexibility to choose the orientation that best suits their needs. It also allows for customizable resolution settings, enabling users to adjust the display resolution freely for the optimal experience. Additionally, Tab Display offers a remote video playback feature. By placing videos in a designated folder on your desktop, you can freely enjoy watching them on your iPhone or iPad. Tab Display is designed to make the process of extending your MacBook screen as simple and seamless as possible. The app uses WebRTC technology internally to ensure that the video is streamed smoothly and without any lag. This means that users can enjoy a high-quality display experience without any interruptions or delays. Check out the tutorial on how to use the Tab Display feature by watching the video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtSTy58u57E Similar apps: Duet Display, spacedesk, superdisplay, TwomonSE.

About

External Display Desktop

Browse the web, watch videos, and work on an external display using your iPhone. Enjoy full-resolution browsing, file management, and even video calls with camera and microphone support. It offers a desktop-like experience with mouse and keyboard compatibility, and a privacy-focused design with an integrated ad-blocker.

Highlights
  • Full-resolution browsing on external displays
  • Full-screen video playback
  • PDF and file opening in tabs
  • Camera and microphone support for calls
  • Mouse and keyboard support
  • Floating, resizable tabs
  • Integrated ad-blocker
Read full description

XeOS is the leading and most acclaimed desktop mode experience for iPhone, iPad, and the new iPhone Duo. Browse the web on a second screen, watch videos full-screen, work or study on your external monitor, TV, or projector powered only by your iPhone/iPad. Browse at full resolution, remove black bars, open PDFs and files in tabs, join calls with camera and microphone support, and enjoy a better iPhone/iPad extended display experience. • Full-resolution browsing on your external display from iPhone/iPad • Remove black bars for a cleaner full-screen view • Open PDFs and files in browser tabs • Download files directly from the browser • Watch YouTube and online video in full screen • Camera and microphone support for calls and meetings • Mouse and keyboard support for a desktop-like setup • Multitask with floating tabs - resize and reposition them anywhere on the screen • Use the on-screen trackpad when you don't have a mouse with you • Use the on-screen keyboard when you don't have a keyboard with you • More flexible iPhone/iPad external monitor to use anywhere • Enjoy a better iPhone/iPad to external monitor experience • Use iPhone/iPad extend display for work, travel, and entertainment • Privacy-focused by design, with no server account or remote processing; your browsing session, files, and activity stay on your device • Integrated ad-blocker disables many known intrusive trackers and ads • Built on Safari and iOS security standards, with proper system permissions IMPORTANT: This app works only with iPhone/iPads supporting video output when connecting via cable or adapter! Most iPhone/iPads support it, except the Air and E models, but check your iPhone/iPad's compatibility! The app works with some iPads but we advise you to use the free trial to test it with your model first! If wired connection doesn't work for your model try the wireless mode via AirPlay. The app's onboarding guides your through connecting all peripherals and your external monitor. If you encounter any issues or need help please contact support in the app. IMPORTANT: Note that the app has a few minor limitations. Due to browser engine security restrictions, users may be unable to interact with remote iframes in certain situations. When this happens, the app provides a button to temporarily switch to the phone layout, allowing you to complete the required action. Afterward, you can return to the fullscreen, black-bar-free experience. By using this app, you agree to Apple's Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Tab Display3 screens
External Display Desktop4 screens

Verdict

The call

Tab Display and External Display Desktop both sit at 4.1 stars, but that hides the real split: 58% of External Display Desktop's written reviews are positive against 14% of Tab Display's. External Display Desktop also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 2 days vs every 3 weeks). On price, rating, ratings volume and in-app purchases 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Tab Display sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and External Display Desktop sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.1 for Tab Display against 4.2 for External Display Desktop. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 18 and 18 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 14% of Tab Display's written reviews are positive against 58% of External Display Desktop's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Tab Display ships an update every 3 weeks, External Display Desktop every 2 days. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Tab Display versus External Display Desktop: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTab DisplayExternal Display Desktop
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.1 (18 ratings)4.2 (18 ratings) — better
Positive reviews14.3% of reviews57.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1818
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 2 days — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.4 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size59 MB80 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperJaeil RohMarian-Daniel Filipovici

Customer experience

Tab Display

All ratings18 ratings
Positive77.8%
Neutral0.0%
Negative22.2%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive14.3%
Neutral14.3%
Negative71.4%

External Display Desktop

All ratings18 ratings
Positive83.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative16.7%
Written reviews26 reviews
Positive57.7%
Neutral7.7%
Negative34.6%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Tab Display

One-time1
  • Remove Ads$2.99
3 purchases

External Display Desktop

Subscriptions2
  • Weekly7 Days trial$4.997 Days
  • Yearly$14.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime$34.99

Questions

Is Tab Display free?
Tab Display is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is External Display Desktop free?
External Display Desktop is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Tab Display or External Display Desktop?
External Display Desktop is rated higher. Tab Display averages 4.1 out of 5 from 18 ratings, while External Display Desktop averages 4.2 from 18 ratings.
Do Tab Display or External Display Desktop have ads?
Tab Display shows ads; External Display Desktop does not.
Which is updated more often, Tab Display or External Display Desktop?
Tab Display ships an update every 3 weeks, and External Display Desktop every 2 days. Most recently, Tab Display was updated on October 24, 2026 and External Display Desktop on October 24, 2026.

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