Remote Desktop vs Windows App Mobile
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Remote Desktop
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.
- Connect to Windows PCs
- View files and programs
- Supports Windows XP/7/8/10
- Printing support
- Barcode scanner
- Wake on LAN (WOL)
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Using your iPhone or iPad, you can connect to your Windows Workstation Computer and see the files, programs, and resources exactly as you would if you were sitting at your desk, just on a smaller screen. Mocha Remote Desktop (RDP) provides access to a PC running Windows XP Professional or Windows 7/8/10. HOME edition or Windows 200x Servers cannot be supported. LITE VERSION Has a 5 minutes session limitation. FEATURES - Standard RDP protocol. - 8/16 bit color mode for faster screen updates. - Zoom and scroll as the Safari Browser. - WOL (Wake on LAN). - Printing. - Barcode scanner. - Support for Swiftpoint GT hardware mouse. - Support for a Bluetooth mouse, when using an iPad. - Support for Mouse Easy. Use an iPhone as a bluetooth trackpad. - Stylus pen. - NETBIOS name support for easy configuration. - Landscape mode. - Have patent license for the RDP protocol from Microsoft. LIMITATIONS - Windows HOME edition cannot be used, as it does not include the RDP protocol. - We cannot offer Windows 200x Server access, as it will require another patent license from Microsoft.
Windows App Mobile
Connect securely to Windows PCs, virtual apps, and desktops from your iOS or iPadOS device. Access your work environment remotely with ease, managing connections and resources from a unified client.
- Connect to remote PCs and virtual desktops
- Access managed resources
- Remote Desktop Gateway support
- Connection management and favorites
- Audio and video streaming
- Device redirection (folders, clipboard, microphone, camera)
- External monitor support
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Windows App Mobile for iOS and iPadOS (previously named Remote Desktop Mobile) is your gateway to securely connect to Windows including remote PCs and admin-provided virtual apps and desktops across Windows 365, Azure Virtual Desktop, Dev Box and Remote Desktop Services. Embrace the simplicity of a unified client with Windows App Mobile and connect to your Windows in the cloud with ease and security, from the device of your choice. GET STARTED • Learn more about the features of Windows App Mobile at https://aka.ms/WindowsApp. • Configure your PC for remote access using the information at https://aka.ms/rdsetup. KEY FEATURES • Access remote PCs running Windows Professional or Enterprise and Windows Server. • Access managed resources published by your admin. • Connect through a Remote Desktop Gateway. • Simplified management of your connections and credentials from the Connection Center, including a Favorites page to cater to your unique workflow needs. • Audio and video streaming. • Redirect folders, your clipboard, and local devices such as microphones and cameras. • Connect your iPhone or iPad to an external monitor. • Easily switch between Entra accounts. • Dynamically switch between Portrait and Landscape mode. By downloading Windows App Mobile, you agree to the license (see https://aka.ms/WindowsAppLicense) and privacy terms (see https://aka.ms/privacy).
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Windows App Mobile at 4.2 against Remote Desktop's 3.0. Windows App Mobile also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 4 months) and ratings volume (7.8K vs 146). Remote Desktop's advantage is review sentiment (52% vs 35%) and iOS requirement (15.6 vs 26.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Windows App Mobile holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Windows App Mobile has 7.8K ratings behind it against 146, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 52% of Remote Desktop's written reviews are positive against 35% of Windows App Mobile's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
Remote Desktop ships an update every 4 months, Windows App Mobile every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on August 23, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Remote Desktop | Windows App Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.0 (146 ratings) | 4.2 (7.8K ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 51.9% of reviews — better | 34.8% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 146 | 7.8K — better |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | Every 3 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Best chart rank | — | #198 — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 — better | 26.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 2 MB | 199 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | MochaSoft | Microsoft Corporation |
Customer experience
Remote Desktop
Windows App Mobile
User reviews
Remote Desktop
From 146 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Fast and responsive
- 👍 Easy to set up and use
- 🔒 Secure remote access
- 🤖 Works great with Windows XP and Server 2003
Room to improve
- 🐛 Crashes and freezes on some devices
- 🔒 Security concerns raised by some users
- 🔌 Drains device battery quickly
- 🚫 Does not support Windows Home editions or Vista
Windows App Mobile
From 7.8K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Seamless remote desktop experience
- 👍 Smooth mouse and keyboard support
- 🚀 Reliable connections
- 👍 Great integration with Windows
- 🚀 Responsive and fast
Room to improve
- 🐛 Keyboard issues (no virtual keyboard, input problems)
- 🐛 Crashes and freezes
- 🐛 Resolution and scaling problems
- 🐛 Connectivity issues, especially over mobile data
- 🐛 Buggy after updates
Bugs and requests
Remote Desktop
Reported bugs
3 issues- Keyboard issues, unable to type full usernames
- Corrupts desktop settings on remote machine
- Compatibility problems with certain network configurations
Requested features
4 requests- 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
Windows App Mobile
Reported bugs
5 issues- Keyboard not working properly
- Frequent crashes and freezes
- Connectivity issues, especially over mobile data
- Resolution and scaling problems
- Incompatibility with newer iOS devices
Requested features
5 requests- Full screen support for external monitors
- Ability to save/sync connection profiles
- Support for multiple monitors and remote apps
- Improved keyboard functionality (F-keys, shortcuts)
- Better mouse/trackpad support (right-click, scrolling)
In-app purchases
Remote Desktop
No in-app purchases
Windows App Mobile
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Remote Desktop free?
Is Windows App Mobile free?
Which has better reviews, Remote Desktop or Windows App Mobile?
Do Remote Desktop or Windows App Mobile have ads?
Which is updated more often, Remote Desktop or Windows App Mobile?
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