Comparison

Blue Iris vs MeshControl Remote Desktop

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

Head to head
About

Blue Iris

Access and manage your home camera network remotely through a secure client for the Blue Iris PC software. View live streams, review recordings, and receive alerts from your cameras. Offers advanced controls and two-way audio for compatible devices.

Highlights
  • Manage multiple Blue Iris installations
  • Receive push notification alerts
  • Fast H.264 streaming
  • Control PTZ and two-way audio
  • Review and download recordings
  • Broadcast live video from device
  • Geofencing alerts
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

This app is a CLIENT for the Blue Iris Windows PC software. In order to make use of this app, you must have Blue Iris version 6 installed and running on a Windows PC or VM. Instructions for connecting this app to the PC software are found in the Remote Access chapter of its Help file. This app provides a single point of contact to your home camera network. There is no need to insecurely open individual cameras to the Internet. This app connects using a secure and session-based protocol--no passwords are transmitted in plain text. Remote access does require router configuration or NGROK, which you can test without the app by using Safari. You should see your Blue Iris login page. Key features include: - Manage multiple Blue Iris installations - Geofencing: set status, send alerts, and more in response to device location * - Control the shield icon, schedule and profile selection - Receive iOS push notification alerts when a Blue Iris camera is triggered or there is a critical status message - Fast H.264 streaming - Control PTZ, IR and more for any camera that’s also controllable at the Blue Iris PC - Listen to and talk to any camera that’s also supported at the Blue Iris PC - Navigate cameras by tapping and swiping - Review recordings as stored on the Blue Iris PC, up to 64x speed - Download recorded video from the Blue Iris PC to the iOS device - Selectively delete recordings from the Blue Iris PC - Broadcast live video from the iOS device directly into a Blue Iris PC camera window - Remote control DIO output signals on compatible devices - Baby monitor functionality: continue to listen to audio with app closed or device in standby ** * Note that continued use of GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life. ** Note that continued use of audio streaming running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life.

About

MeshControl Remote Desktop

Features
Read full description

MeshControl lets you see and control the computers managed by your own MeshCentral server, right from your iPhone or iPad. REMOTE DESKTOP BUILT FOR TOUCH - Pointer mode works like a trackpad; touch mode clicks where you tap - Pinch to zoom, two-finger right click, three-finger scroll - Extra key row with Esc, Tab, Ctrl, Alt, Win, arrows and F1–F12 - Full hardware keyboard, mouse and trackpad support on iPad - Adjustable image quality for slow mobile connections SECURE BY DESIGN - Sign in with a MeshCentral login token or with username and password - Two-step verification with your authenticator app - Credentials stay in the iOS keychain, protected by Face ID or Touch ID - The app connects only to your server: no accounts, no tracking, no ads NO SERVER YET? A step-by-step guide inside the app shows how to set up a free MeshCentral server on Windows, Linux, macOS, Docker or Raspberry Pi. FREE AND FULL The free version includes remote control with mouse and keyboard. MeshControl Full adds screen selection on multi-monitor computers, the actions menu (Ctrl+Alt+Del, switch window, copy and paste, Task Manager and more) and upcoming features such as file transfer. Full is available as a weekly auto-renewable subscription or as a one-time lifetime purchase. Payment is charged to your Apple Account at confirmation of purchase. The subscription renews automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. You can manage or cancel it in your Apple Account settings. MeshControl requires a MeshCentral server that allows the app (see the support page). MeshControl is an independent app and is not affiliated with the MeshCentral project. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://arksystems.it/meshcontrol/privacy/

Screenshots

Blue Iris4 screens
MeshControl Remote Desktop4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: MeshControl Remote Desktop at Free against Blue Iris's $9.99. Blue Iris's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and chart position (#57 vs unranked). 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

MeshControl Remote Desktop is free to download; Blue Iris costs $9.99 up front. MeshControl Remote Desktop sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per 7 days. Blue Iris asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
Blue Iris versus MeshControl Remote Desktop: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBlue IrisMeshControl Remote Desktop
Price$9.99Free — better
Rating3.7 (418 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews55.8% of reviews—
Number of ratings418 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 4 days—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaid—
Best chart rank#57 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.6 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size31 MB6 MB
Age rating+44+
DeveloperKen PletzerLUCIO ANGELI

Bugs and requests

Blue Iris

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Inability to save video clips
  • Inconsistent behavior when switching between live view and playback
  • Push notifications not working reliably
  • Cameras sometimes shown as offline when they are not
  • Crashes when rotating device or accessing certain features

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add support for VPN connections
  • Improve video scrubbing and playback controls
  • Implement a more modern and responsive UI
  • Allow for more granular user permissions and access levels
  • Provide better integration with home automation systems

MeshControl Remote Desktop

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Blue Iris

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

MeshControl Remote Desktop

Subscriptions1
  • MeshControl Full Weekly$0.997 Days
One-time1
  • MeshControl Full Lifetime$17.99

Questions

Is Blue Iris free?
Blue Iris costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is MeshControl Remote Desktop free?
MeshControl Remote Desktop is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Blue Iris or MeshControl Remote Desktop have ads?
Neither Blue Iris nor MeshControl Remote Desktop shows ads.

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