# Puffin Cloud Browser vs Desktop Browser

The clearest difference is rating: Desktop Browser at 4.4 against Puffin Cloud Browser's 3.9. Desktop Browser also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 6 weeks). Puffin Cloud Browser's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and review sentiment (61% vs 52%). On price, ratings volume, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Puffin Cloud Browser sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month and Desktop Browser sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $1.49 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Desktop Browser holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 3.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 6.7K and 16K respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 61% of Puffin Cloud Browser's written reviews are positive against 52% of Desktop Browser's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Puffin Cloud Browser ships an update every 6 weeks, Desktop Browser fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 28, 2026 and September 30, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Puffin Cloud Browser | Desktop Browser |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.9 (6.7K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/puffin-cloud-browser/id472937654/reviews) | **[4.4 (16K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/desktop-browser/id940076212/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 6.7K | **16K** |
| Positive reviews | **61.4% of reviews** | 52.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 85 MB | 18 MB |
| Requires iOS | **8.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [CloudMosa, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/406239141) | [Spicy Apps](https://appshunter.io/developer/299136020) |

## What reviewers say

### Puffin Cloud Browser

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/puffin-cloud-browser/id472937654)

This app provides access to a cloud-based web browser, allowing users to view web content rendered on remote servers. It offers features like browser isolation, data saving, and full desktop mode, but does not render web content directly on the device.

**Highlights:** Browser Isolation, Cloud Acceleration, Data Saving, Download to Cloud, Flash Game Support, Full Desktop Mode, Internet Access Protection

**Features:** iMessage stickers, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Puffin Monthly Subscription | $0.99 | per month |
| Puffin Yearly Subscription | $4.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast and responsive browsing
- 👍 Allows access to desktop websites
- 🔍 Supports Flash content
- 💻 Provides desktop-like experience on mobile

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and freezes
- 🔄 Constant reconnection issues
- 🤖 Unreliable captcha system
- ⚠️ Websites blocked or not loading properly
- 💰 Subscription model and additional fees

**Reported bugs**

- Gamepad controls crashing the app
- Inability to type or log in to certain websites
- Sudden loss of network connectivity

**Requested features**

- Improved stability and reliability
- Seamless integration with popular websites
- Customization options for user interface
- Ability to save progress in Flash games


### Desktop Browser

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/desktop-browser/id940076212)

Access full desktop versions of websites on your mobile device, overcoming content limitations and enhancing productivity. Enjoy a customizable browsing experience with tabbed browsing and bookmarks, seamlessly integrated with other apps.

**Highlights:** View desktop website versions, Tabbed browsing, Bookmarks, Customizable settings, Seamless app integration, Enhanced productivity

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

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| weekly | $1.49 | per 7 days |
| monthly | $2.99 | per month |
| yearly | $7.49 | per year |
| remove ads | $1.99 | one-time |
| browse plus | $1.99 | one-time |
| all features pack | $2.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Useful for desktop browsing on mobile
- 🚀 Reliable in forcing desktop mode
- 💡 Helpful for accessing desktop-only features

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Inconsistent performance on some websites
- 💸 Aggressive monetization with ads and in-app purchases
- 🔍 Cluttered interface with too many toolbars

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes when trying to upload images
- Reloads pages unexpectedly when interacting with text fields
- Fails to properly display desktop versions of certain websites

**Requested features**

- Add PDF export/download functionality
- Improve tab management and background browsing
- Provide more customization options


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Puffin Cloud Browser free?

Puffin Cloud Browser is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Desktop Browser free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Puffin Cloud Browser or Desktop Browser?

Desktop Browser is rated higher. Puffin Cloud Browser averages 3.9 out of 5 from 6.7K ratings, while Desktop Browser averages 4.4 from 16K ratings.

### Do Puffin Cloud Browser or Desktop Browser have ads?

Desktop Browser shows ads; Puffin Cloud Browser does not.

### Which is updated more often, Puffin Cloud Browser or Desktop Browser?

Puffin Cloud Browser ships an update every 6 weeks, and Desktop Browser fortnightly. Most recently, Puffin Cloud Browser was updated on September 28, 2026 and Desktop Browser on September 30, 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.*