Comparison

Rocket Video Cast vs External Display Desktop

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

Head to head
About

Rocket Video Cast

Stream any web video directly to your TV with this app. It also functions as a file manager, allowing you to store, organize, and play videos offline on your device or cast them to a larger screen. Supports a wide range of video formats and includes a built-in web browser.

Highlights
  • Cast web videos to TV
  • Full-featured file manager
  • Built-in web browser
  • Organize files in folders
  • Playlists and background audio
  • Multi-format video/audio player
  • FTP server for file transfer
Features
Read full description

Unleash your TV with Rocket Video Cast. With Rocket you can browse the web and stream any web video on your TV. Rocket is also a fully featured file manager that allows you to store files to your iOS device. You can then view the stored files right on your device offline or transfer them to your computer, and of course you can cast your stored videos to your big screen, just copy them into the app using iTunes File Sharing. Features: - Cast videos from all major streaming video sites - Cast from major file sharing sites - Full featured web browser - Start screen with the most frequent visited history entry's - Open saved tabs on startup - Real-time search in your browsing history, bookmarks and tabs - Search engine integration in the Address bar - Share URL's via Twitter, Mail - Search in the website - Passcode protected - FTP Server to transfer files in and out of the app - FIle Manager to organize your files in folders etc. - Playlists and background audio - Address bar search engine options (Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, StartPage can be changed App Settings > Search Engine) - Multi format video/audio player allows you to play almost any video and audio format without leaving the app (wmv, mpeg, mpeg1, mpeg2, mpeg4, 3gp, sf, avi, divx, dv, gxf, m2p, m2ts, m2v, m4v, mkv, moov, mov, mp4, mpg, mpv, mt2s, mts, mxf, ogm, ogv, ps, qt, ts, vob, webm, wm, mp3, m4a, wma). - Extract audio from mp4 files (convert to mp3) - Cast your Rocket playlist for files in the app ..and lots lots more. Supported format for TV include mp4, m4v, m3u8, hls, and live streams are supported. IMPORTANT NOTES, PLEASE READ BEFORE PURCHASING: Flash video, iTunes purchased videos, Silverlight and other DRM protected videos like Amazon Instant Videos, HBO now, Hulu, Netflix are not supported! This app is not affiliated with Google or one of its products or trademarks and is developed independently.

About

External Display Desktop

Browse the web, watch videos, and work on an external display using your iPhone. Enjoy full-resolution browsing, file management, and even video calls with camera and microphone support. It offers a desktop-like experience with mouse and keyboard compatibility, and a privacy-focused design with an integrated ad-blocker.

Highlights
  • Full-resolution browsing on external displays
  • Full-screen video playback
  • PDF and file opening in tabs
  • Camera and microphone support for calls
  • Mouse and keyboard support
  • Floating, resizable tabs
  • Integrated ad-blocker
Features
Read full description

XeOS is the leading and most acclaimed desktop mode experience for iPhone, iPad, and the new iPhone Duo. Browse the web on a second screen, watch videos full-screen, work or study on your external monitor, TV, or projector powered only by your iPhone/iPad. Browse at full resolution, remove black bars, open PDFs and files in tabs, join calls with camera and microphone support, and enjoy a better iPhone/iPad extended display experience. • Full-resolution browsing on your external display from iPhone/iPad • Remove black bars for a cleaner full-screen view • Open PDFs and files in browser tabs • Download files directly from the browser • Watch YouTube and online video in full screen • Camera and microphone support for calls and meetings • Mouse and keyboard support for a desktop-like setup • Multitask with floating tabs - resize and reposition them anywhere on the screen • Use the on-screen trackpad when you don't have a mouse with you • Use the on-screen keyboard when you don't have a keyboard with you • More flexible iPhone/iPad external monitor to use anywhere • Enjoy a better iPhone/iPad to external monitor experience • Use iPhone/iPad extend display for work, travel, and entertainment • Privacy-focused by design, with no server account or remote processing; your browsing session, files, and activity stay on your device • Integrated ad-blocker disables many known intrusive trackers and ads • Built on Safari and iOS security standards, with proper system permissions IMPORTANT: This app works only with iPhone/iPads supporting video output when connecting via cable or adapter! Most iPhone/iPads support it, except the Air and E models, but check your iPhone/iPad's compatibility! The app works with some iPads but we advise you to use the free trial to test it with your model first! If wired connection doesn't work for your model try the wireless mode via AirPlay. The app's onboarding guides your through connecting all peripherals and your external monitor. If you encounter any issues or need help please contact support in the app. IMPORTANT: Note that the app has a few minor limitations. Due to browser engine security restrictions, users may be unable to interact with remote iframes in certain situations. When this happens, the app provides a button to temporarily switch to the phone layout, allowing you to complete the required action. Afterward, you can return to the fullscreen, black-bar-free experience. By using this app, you agree to Apple's Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Rocket Video Cast4 screens
External Display Desktop4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: External Display Desktop at Free against Rocket Video Cast's $1.99. External Display Desktop also leads on update cadence (every 2 days vs every 2 months). Rocket Video Cast's advantage is review sentiment (81% vs 59%) and ratings volume (957 vs 19). On rating, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

External Display Desktop is free to download; Rocket Video Cast costs $1.99 up front. Rocket Video Cast sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and External Display Desktop sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.3 for Rocket Video Cast against 4.2 for External Display Desktop. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Rocket Video Cast has 957 ratings behind it against 19, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 81% of Rocket Video Cast's written reviews are positive against 59% of External Display Desktop's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Rocket Video Cast ships an update every 2 months, External Display Desktop every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Rocket Video Cast versus External Display Desktop: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRocket Video CastExternal Display Desktop
Price$1.99Free — better
Rating4.3 (957 ratings) — better4.2 (19 ratings)
Positive reviews81.4% of reviews — better59.3% of reviews
Number of ratings957 — better19
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS8.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size68 MB81 MB
Age rating17+17+
DeveloperAmeen ModyMarian-Daniel Filipovici

Customer experience

Rocket Video Cast

All ratings957 ratings
Positive81.2%
Neutral5.3%
Negative13.5%
Written reviews1,105 reviews
Positive81.4%
Neutral4.1%
Negative14.5%

External Display Desktop

All ratings19 ratings
Positive84.2%
Neutral0.0%
Negative15.8%
Written reviews27 reviews
Positive59.3%
Neutral7.4%
Negative33.3%

Bugs and requests

Rocket Video Cast

Reported bugs

6 issues
  • Doesn't cast anymore
  • Can't download videos anymore
  • Crashes when receiving calls
  • Doesn't work with newer iPhones
  • Constant errors and crashes
Show 1 more
  • Doesn't work with VPN

Requested features

6 requests
  • Update for iOS 16
  • Add pop-up blockers
  • Improve file management
  • Add search bar in download
  • Support for newer iPhones
Show 1 more
  • Improve UI/UX

External Display Desktop

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Rocket Video Cast

One-time1
  • Upgrade to Rocket Pro$0.99
3 purchases

External Display Desktop

Subscriptions2
  • Weekly7 Days trial$4.997 Days
  • Yearly$14.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime$34.99

Questions

Is Rocket Video Cast free?
Rocket Video Cast costs $1.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is External Display Desktop free?
External Display Desktop is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Rocket Video Cast or External Display Desktop?
Rocket Video Cast is rated higher. Rocket Video Cast averages 4.3 out of 5 from 957 ratings, while External Display Desktop averages 4.2 from 19 ratings.
Do Rocket Video Cast or External Display Desktop have ads?
Neither Rocket Video Cast nor External Display Desktop shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Rocket Video Cast or External Display Desktop?
Rocket Video Cast ships an update every 2 months, and External Display Desktop every 2 days. Most recently, Rocket Video Cast was updated on October 29, 2026 and External Display Desktop on October 28, 2026.

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