Rowmote Pro for Mac vs Tap Remote
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Rowmote Pro for Mac
Control your Mac wirelessly from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch. Offers a multitouch trackpad, full keyboard support, and seamless control of numerous Mac applications. Ideal for media centers and presentations.
- Wireless Mac control
- Multitouch trackpad
- Full keyboard support
- App launching and switching
- Sleep and wake functionality
- Secure authentication
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Rowmote Pro is the ultimate wireless remote, trackpad, and keyboard for Mac. A gorgeous universal app for iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad, with everything from a multitouch trackpad to full extended keyboard support, and with no-configuration control of dozens of the best Mac applications, it is a must-have for any home media center or presentation! * Rated "Excellent" and one of just 400 apps featured in the WIRED App Guide 2011 * You love the remote control which came with your Mac - so simple yet elegant, with easy control of Front Row, iTunes, Quicktime, DVD Player, Keynote, and more. Or, your Mac didn’t come with a remote control or doesn’t even have an infrared port. The Apple Remote would cost a significant amount. Add ANOTHER hit to your wallet for a wireless control like a keyboard, mouse, or the Apple Magic Trackpad! You carry your iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad wherever you go… so why should you carry a second device just to control your computer? Furthermore, why should you need line-of-sight to do so? Enter Rowmote Pro! Rowmote Pro is like your Mac’s remote control, but over the wireless network and even better! Trackpad and keyboard give you complete control over your computer, and you can control, launch, and quit apps, toggle the Music Visualizer, and more without ever having to squint at your screen. Rowmote is Mac-like from the ground up. FEATURES - Control your Mac completely over a wireless network. No line of sight necessary. - Works like the hardware Apple Remote Control in: • Adobe Lightroom • Airfoil Video • Amarra • Aperture • BBC iPlayer • Beamer • Boxee • Decibel • DVD Player • Ecoute • eyeTV 3.x • Firefox • Front Row • Hulu Desktop • iPhoto • iTunes • Keynote ‘08 & later • kJams Pro • Kodi • Last.fm • Logic • Microsoft Powerpoint ‘04 & later • mPlayer • Movist • Music • OpenOffice Impress • Preview • PandoraBoy • PandoraJam • PandoraOne Desktop • Photos • Plex, Plex Home Theater, & Plex Media Player • Quicktime • Rdio • Safari • Skim • Songbird • Spotify • Squire • The Tube • VLC • xbmc (Xbox Media Center) PRO CONTROL: A single tap switches to the keyboard & trackpad mode. - True multitouch: Scroll with two fingers, right click, drag, pinch to zoom, and swipe with 3 or 4 fingers. - Tap anywhere or use the virtual button - Keyboard includes extended characters, modifier keys, function keys, numeric pad, brightness control, and more - Multiple monitor support - SWITCH: Access your Mac’s Dock; launch & switch between all controllable applications on the Mac; toggle the iTunes visualizer; and more. - Sleep & wake as needed - Pause the music or video automatically when you answer a call on your iPhone - Proximity sensor support to automatically turn the screen off if the device is face-down - Secure authentication - Connect via WiFi or Bluetooth (Bluetooth requires Personal Hotspot Bluetooth tethering) REQUIREMENTS • The free Rowmote Helper program must be running on the Mac. Download at www.rowmote.com. • Apple TV: 1st gen/2nd gen only may see www.rowmote.com/atv for potential compatibility. Rowmote Pro is the only app you need to control your computer. Couple it with Apple’s free Remote app to turn your iPhone or iPod Touch into the ultimate controller for home stereo, mobile presentation, or casual video viewing. Artwork of Rowmote Pro is by Rik Schennink.
Tap Remote
Transform your iOS device into a comprehensive remote control for your Mac. Effortlessly manage your computer's mouse, keyboard, trackpad, system dock, and favorite media applications. An optional Pro upgrade unlocks desktop mirroring and presentation controls.
- Simulated Mouse with click functions
- Trackpad with two-finger scrolling
- Keyboard with multiple layouts
- Media app control
- Mac system Dock control
- Desktop mirroring (Pro feature)
- Presentation remote (Pro feature)
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Tap Remote turns your iOS device into a powerful remote control for your Mac computer. More than just a Keyboard, Mouse and Trackpad, Tap Remote also gives you control over the Mac system Dock as well as controlling your favourite apps like Spotify and iTunes. Enjoy these Features for FREE: -> Simulated Mouse - Left, Right and Double-Click -> TrackPad - Two finger scroll just like on your Macbook -> Keyboard - select from various layouts (email, numeric) -> Full support for Portrait and Landscape mode -> Media Remote - control your favorite audio and video apps -> Customize the interface with color themes -> Control and view the Mac system Dock -> Connect to any computer on your network -> Password protection Upgrade to the Pro version and get these features: -> Mirror your desktop to your iOS device -> Presentation remote -> Extended Keyboard 3 Simple steps to get started: 1) Visit https://dodisoftware.com/tapremote and download the Mac client software 2) Run the Mac client software and the iOS app 3) Connect by entering the IP Address or scanning the QR code
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Tap Remote at Free against Rowmote Pro for Mac's $4.99. Tap Remote also leads on iOS requirement (9.0 vs 13.2). Rowmote Pro for Mac's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and review sentiment (78% vs 50%). On ads and device support 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
Tap Remote is free to download; Rowmote Pro for Mac costs $4.99 up front. Tap Remote sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Rowmote Pro for Mac asks for nothing beyond the download.
Rowmote Pro for Mac holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 3.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Rowmote Pro for Mac has 105 ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 78% of Rowmote Pro for Mac's written reviews are positive against 50% of Tap Remote's.
Rowmote Pro for Mac ships an update every 2 months, Tap Remote every 7 months. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.
| Parameter | Rowmote Pro for Mac | Tap Remote |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.2 (105 ratings) — better | 3.8 (6 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 77.6% of reviews — better | 50.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 105 — better | 6 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months — better | Every 7 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Paid | Free with in-app purchases — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 13.2 | 9.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 37 MB | 10 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Evan Schoenberg | Eun Ah Jung |
Customer experience
Rowmote Pro for Mac
Tap Remote
Bugs and requests
Rowmote Pro for Mac
Reported bugs
4 issues- Inconsistent connection
- Keyboard input issues
- Freezing/crashing on certain apps
- Compatibility problems with macOS updates
Requested features
5 requests- Customizable keyboard shortcuts
- Improved compatibility with newer devices
- Expanded app integrations
- Right-click functionality
- Ability to wake/sleep computer remotely
Tap Remote
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Rowmote Pro for Mac
No in-app purchases
Tap Remote
- Tap Remote - Pro Upgrade$0.99
Questions
Is Rowmote Pro for Mac free?
Is Tap Remote free?
Which has better reviews, Rowmote Pro for Mac or Tap Remote?
Do Rowmote Pro for Mac or Tap Remote have ads?
Which is updated more often, Rowmote Pro for Mac or Tap Remote?
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