# Remote Desktop vs iRemoteDesktop Lite

The clearest difference is rating: iRemoteDesktop Lite at 3.8 against Remote Desktop's 3.0. iRemoteDesktop Lite also leads on review sentiment (73% vs 52%) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.6). Remote Desktop's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ads (none vs shown). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. iRemoteDesktop Lite sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Remote Desktop asks for nothing beyond the download.

iRemoteDesktop Lite holds the better App Store score, 3.8 against 3.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 146 and 75 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 52% of Remote Desktop's written reviews are positive against 73% of iRemoteDesktop Lite's.

Remote Desktop ships an update every 4 months, iRemoteDesktop Lite every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on August 23, 2026 and September 10, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Remote Desktop | iRemoteDesktop Lite |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.0 (146 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/remote-desktop-rdp-lite/id288362576/reviews) | **[3.8 (75 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/iremotedesktop-lite/id394062949/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **146** | 75 |
| Positive reviews | 51.9% of reviews | **73.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Every 3 months** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 2 MB | 20 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | **12.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [MochaSoft](https://appshunter.io/developer/284741182) | [Hana Mobile](https://appshunter.io/developer/306576922) |

## 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


### iRemoteDesktop Lite

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/iremotedesktop-lite/id394062949)

Access your Windows PC from your iPhone or iPad. This app provides remote desktop functionality, allowing you to control your computer from anywhere. It's optimized for retina screens and supports various Windows versions.

**Highlights:** Remote Windows PC access, Optimized for retina screens, Supports various Windows versions, Portrait and landscape mode, Pinch to zoom, International keyboard support

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| iRemoteDesktop Pro | $4.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use and set up
- 🚀 Responsive and fluid performance
- 💡 Useful for remote access and management
- 🔒 Secure with PIN/password protection
- 🎨 Good visual quality and screen rendering

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional connection issues and crashes
- 🔍 Confusing or lacking setup instructions
- 🖱️ Limited mouse/keyboard functionality in free version
- 🔋 High battery consumption on mobile devices
- 📺 Small screen size can make it difficult to use

**Reported bugs**

- Keyboard gets stuck in uppercase mode
- Inability to delete previously added remote connections
- Compatibility issues with newer Windows versions
- Freezing or black screen issues during use

**Requested features**

- Add support for right-click and drag functionality
- Improve keyboard handling and integration
- Allow configuration of multiple remote connections
- Implement audio support for remote playback
- Optimize for larger tablet screens


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Remote Desktop free?

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

### Is iRemoteDesktop Lite free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Remote Desktop or iRemoteDesktop Lite?

iRemoteDesktop Lite is rated higher. Remote Desktop averages 3.0 out of 5 from 146 ratings, while iRemoteDesktop Lite averages 3.8 from 75 ratings.

### Do Remote Desktop or iRemoteDesktop Lite have ads?

iRemoteDesktop Lite shows ads; Remote Desktop does not.

### Which is updated more often, Remote Desktop or iRemoteDesktop Lite?

Remote Desktop ships an update every 4 months, and iRemoteDesktop Lite every 3 months. Most recently, Remote Desktop was updated on August 23, 2026 and iRemoteDesktop Lite on September 10, 2026.

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