Comparison

Gmail vs RealVNC Server

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

Head to head
About

Gmail

This application provides a secure and efficient email experience with advanced features like spam blocking, smart replies, and multi-account support. It integrates with other Google services for enhanced productivity and collaboration.

Highlights
  • Robust security & spam blocking
  • Real-time notifications
  • Multiple account support
  • Smart Reply & Compose
  • Undo send
  • Google Chat & Meet integration
  • Threaded conversations
Features
Read full description

The official Gmail app brings the best of Gmail to your iPhone and iPad with helpful AI features, robust security, real-time notifications, multiple account support, and intelligent search that works across all your mail. With the Gmail app, you can: • Make Gmail your default email app on iOS • Stay up to date on your latest packages, upcoming events, bills, and travel details with helpful summary cards • Declutter your inbox with built-in email subscription management • Use Gemini* in Gmail to summarize lengthy emails, craft or refine responses, or search your inbox to find what you’re looking for • Connect and switch between multiple email accounts from different providers • Automatically block more than 99.9% of spam, phishing, malware from ever reaching your inbox • Quickly add events to Google Calendar based on your emails with Gemini in Gmail • Find top deals faster with a personalized Promotions tab • Respond to emails faster with AI-powered Suggested Replies that understand the context of your emails and match your unique tone and style • Undo send for up to 30 seconds, to prevent embarrassing mistakes • Access Google Meet and Google Chat without leaving Gmail • Organize your mail by labeling, starring, deleting, and reporting spam • Swipe to archive/delete, to quickly clear out your inbox Gmail is part of Google Workspace, allowing you and your team to easily connect, create, and collaborate. You can: • Connect with coworkers via Google Meet or Google Chat, send an invite in Google Calendar, add an action to your task list, and more without leaving Gmail • Use Gemini in Gmail features like Help me write, Suggested Replies, AI Overviews, and Proofread to help you stay on top of work and take care of simple tasks, so you can be more efficient with your time • Stay safe. Our machine learning models block more than 99.9% of spam, phishing, and malware from reaching our users *Some Gemini features may require a Google One AI subscription. Internet connection required. Language and country availability may vary. Check responses for accuracy.

About

RealVNC Server

Securely share your mobile device's screen with IT support. Offers on-demand assistance with one-time codes or pre-licensed device access for managed devices. Features end-to-end encryption and end-user connection approval.

Highlights
  • Secure screen sharing
  • On-demand assistance
  • Device access for IT
  • End-to-end encryption
  • End-user connection approval
  • Secure cloud service
Read full description

The RealVNC® Server mobile app from RealVNC® lets you securely share your mobile device’s screen with your IT technician or system administrator in just a few taps. ================================ Protecting yourself from scams and fraud Remote access can be used for scamming and fraudulent activities. Always be careful when asked to share access to your devices, especially if you weren't expecting a connection request. Ensure you never share sensitive information or grant access to someone if you are not completely certain they are who they claim to be. If you are unsure, contact the organization offering support to confirm the request is genuine. ================================ RealVNC Server requires the user initiating the connection to have a RealVNC Connect account and to be using RealVNC Viewer on a desktop or mobile device. There are two ways to start a remote session: • ON-DEMAND ASSIST lets you set up a session in a flash using a secure one-time code that’s unique to your session. This option is available on RealVNC Connect  Professional and Enterprise Instant Support plans. • DEVICE ACCESS lets IT teams pre-license a managed mobile device against their RealVNC Connect account. A session can be started without a session code, but the device holder still needs to authenticate the session. This option is available only on RealVNC Connect Enterprise Device Access plans. Key Features • Privacy with end-to-end encryption on all remote sessions. • Fast, effortless connections using RealVNC’s secure cloud service. • Protection from unwanted access with end-user connection approval. • Free, paid and trial RealVNC Connect subscriptions available. Need support? Email us from the app or get in touch at help.realvnc.com. Follow us on: Twitter (@RealVNC) Facebook (facebook.com/realvnc) RealVNC and VNC are trademarks of RealVNC Limited and are protected by trademark registrations and/or pending trademark applications in the European Union, United States of America and other jurisdictions. Protected by UK patents 2481870, 2479756; US patent 8760366; EU patent 2652951.

Screenshots

Gmail4 screens
RealVNC Server3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Gmail at 4.7 against RealVNC Server's 1.3. Gmail also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 4 months) and ratings volume (2.4M vs 135). RealVNC Server's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 14) and ads (none vs shown). On price, monetization model 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Gmail sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. RealVNC Server asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Gmail holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 1.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Gmail has 2.4M ratings behind it against 135, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 29% of Gmail's written reviews are positive against 9% of RealVNC Server's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Gmail ships an update weekly, RealVNC Server every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on September 26, 2026 and July 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 3 level
Gmail versus RealVNC Server: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGmailRealVNC Server
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (2.4M ratings) — better1.3 (135 ratings)
Positive reviews29.0% of reviews — better8.6% of reviews
Number of ratings2.4M — better135
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 4 months
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#3 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS18.014.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size719 MB10 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGoogleRealVNC Limited

Customer experience

Gmail

All ratings2,439,152 ratings
Positive93.1%
Neutral2.6%
Negative4.3%
Written reviews4,142 reviews
Positive29.0%
Neutral10.0%
Negative60.9%

RealVNC Server

All ratings135 ratings
Positive7.4%
Neutral0.7%
Negative91.9%
Written reviews163 reviews
Positive8.6%
Neutral0.0%
Negative91.4%

Bugs and requests

Gmail

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Notifications not working properly
  • Emails disappearing from inbox
  • Inability to remove accounts
  • Conversation view issues

Requested features

4 requests
  • Swipe to delete/snooze emails
  • Ability to mark all emails as read
  • Customizable notification settings
  • Improved file attachment functionality

RealVNC Server

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

7 purchases

Gmail

Subscriptions7
  • 100 GB2 variants$1.991 Month
  • 100 GB1 Month trial3 variants$1.991 Month
  • 200 GB2 variants$2.991 Month
Show 4 more
  • 200 GB1 Month trial$2.991 Month
  • 2 TB1 Month trial$9.991 Month
  • Google AI Plus (2 TB)2 variants$9.991 Month
  • 100 GB1 Month trial$19.991 Year
None

RealVNC Server

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Gmail free?
Gmail is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is RealVNC Server free?
RealVNC Server is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Gmail or RealVNC Server?
Gmail is rated higher. Gmail averages 4.7 out of 5 from 2.4M ratings, while RealVNC Server averages 1.3 from 135 ratings.
Do Gmail or RealVNC Server have ads?
Gmail shows ads; RealVNC Server does not.
Which is updated more often, Gmail or RealVNC Server?
Gmail ships an update weekly, and RealVNC Server every 4 months. Most recently, Gmail was updated on September 26, 2026 and RealVNC Server on July 5, 2026.

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