# Remote Desktop vs Splashtop

The clearest difference is rating: Splashtop at 4.7 against Remote Desktop's 3.0. Splashtop also leads on review sentiment (77% vs 52%) and ratings volume (4.1K vs 146). Remote Desktop's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 7) and device support (3 vs 1). On price, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Splashtop sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Remote Desktop asks for nothing beyond the download.

Splashtop holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Splashtop has 4.1K ratings behind it against 146, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 52% of Remote Desktop's written reviews are positive against 77% of Splashtop's.

Remote Desktop ships an update every 4 months, Splashtop every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on August 23, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Remote Desktop | Splashtop |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.0 (146 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/remote-desktop-rdp-lite/id288362576/reviews) | **[4.7 (4.1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/splashtop-remote-desktop/id382509315/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 146 | **4.1K** |
| Positive reviews | 51.9% of reviews | **77.3% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Every 3 months** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 2 MB | 17 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.6** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [MochaSoft](https://appshunter.io/developer/284741182) | [Splashtop Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/382509318) |

## What reviewers say

### Remote Desktop

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/remote-desktop-rdp-lite/id288362576)

Access your Windows PC from your iPhone or iPad. View files, run programs, and use resources remotely. Supports various Windows versions and includes features like printing and barcode scanning.

**Highlights:** Connect to Windows PCs, View files and programs, Supports Windows XP/7/8/10, Printing support, Barcode scanner, Wake on LAN (WOL)

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast and responsive
- 👍 Easy to set up and use
- 🔒 Secure remote access
- 🤖 Works great with Windows XP and Server 2003

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Crashes and freezes on some devices
- 🔒 Security concerns raised by some users
- 🔌 Drains device battery quickly
- 🚫 Does not support Windows Home editions or Vista

**Reported bugs**

- Keyboard issues, unable to type full usernames
- Corrupts desktop settings on remote machine
- Compatibility problems with certain network configurations

**Requested features**

- Add support for Windows 7, 8, 10 and Server 2008/2012
- Implement right-click and scroll functionality
- Allow custom screen resolutions and full-screen mode
- Integrate VPN capabilities


### Splashtop

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/splashtop-remote-desktop/id382509315)

Access your Mac or PC securely from your phone or tablet, anytime, anywhere. Enjoy fast, reliable remote access with simple setup and no lag. Control your computer's apps, files, and tools remotely.

**Highlights:** Remote access to Mac/Windows computers, High-quality audio & video streaming, Low-latency remote control, Blank screen mode for privacy, Remote webcam access, Cross-platform support

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

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Configurable Shortcuts & Gamepad | $0.99 | per month |
| Productivity Pack | $1.99 | per month |
| Anywhere Access Pack | $4.99 | per month |
| Anywhere Access Pack (Monthly) | $5.99 | per month |
| Configurable Shortcuts & Gamepad | $16.99 | per year |
| Productivity Pack | $16.99 | per year |
| Anywhere Access Pack (Yearly) | $23.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Smooth connection
- 🎮 Great for remote gaming
- 👍 Easy to set up
- 💡 Useful for artists
- 👍 Reliable and fast

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Always an error
- 🐛 Unusable
- 🐛 Extremely stuttering to the point of being unusable
- 🐛 Pure trash now
- 🐛 Trash

**Reported bugs**

- Love yet hate
- Always an error
- Unusable
- Extremely stuttering to the point of being unusable
- Pure trash now

**Requested features**

- Apple Pencil support
- One-time buy option
- Disable predictive text
- External monitor support


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Remote Desktop free?

Remote Desktop is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Splashtop free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Remote Desktop or Splashtop?

Splashtop is rated higher. Remote Desktop averages 3.0 out of 5 from 146 ratings, while Splashtop averages 4.7 from 4.1K ratings.

### Do Remote Desktop or Splashtop have ads?

Neither Remote Desktop nor Splashtop shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Remote Desktop or Splashtop?

Remote Desktop ships an update every 4 months, and Splashtop every 3 months. Most recently, Remote Desktop was updated on August 23, 2026 and Splashtop on September 22, 2026.

---

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