Comparison

Link to Windows vs iCAD

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

Head to head
About

Link to Windows

Seamlessly integrate your iPhone with your Windows PC. Access calls, messages, notifications, and contacts directly from your computer. Easily share files between devices for enhanced productivity.

Highlights
  • Make and receive calls
  • Manage phone notifications
  • Read and reply to text messages
  • View phone contacts
  • Share files between phone and PC
Read full description

You love your phone. So does your PC. Get instant access to everything you love on your phone, right from your PC. To get started, connect your iPhone with the Phone Link Feature on your Windows PC. Enjoy these Phone Link features on your PC: • Make and receive calls • Manage your phone's notifications • Read and reply to text messages • View your phone contacts • Share files between your phone and PC Phone Link for iOS requires iPhone running iOS 16 or higher, and a PC with Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) support running Windows 10 (with the May 2019 Update or later) or Windows 11. Not available for iPad (iPadOS) or MacOS. By installing this app, you agree to the Microsoft Terms of Use https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=246338 and Privacy Statement https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=248686

About

iCAD

Features
Read full description

iCAD brings CAD and 3D model inspection to iPhone and iPad. OPEN YOUR MODELS Import STEP/STP, IGES/IGS, BREP, STL, OBJ, PLY, 3MF, glTF and GLB. Keep models in local folders, search files, and share original files. For OBJ or glTF with external resources, import the folder containing the model and its resources. FREE VIEWING Rotate, pan and zoom, switch standard views, adjust display and grid settings, hide or isolate parts, inspect model dimensions, and take approximate two-point measurements. Model processing stays on your device. iCAD PRO Unlock CAD topology measurements and solid properties, saved inspections, named views, sectioning, exploded assembly views, measurement CSV and annotated image sharing, and engineering section CSV export. Tools depend on the geometry available in each file. Mesh measurements are approximate; exact CAD properties and engineering sections require supported B-Rep geometry. This is a model viewer and inspection tool, not a CAD authoring app. DWG and DXF are not supported. Try professional tools on the included sample. For your own models, Pro is offered as monthly or yearly auto-renewable subscriptions. Payment is charged to your Apple Account. Subscriptions renew automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the current period ends. Manage or cancel in your App Store account settings. Any eligible trial and renewal price are shown before purchase. Privacy Policy: https://inc-mill.com/en/products/icad/privacy Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Link to Windows4 screens
iCAD3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Link to Windows at none against iCAD's 2. Link to Windows also leads on chart position (#18 vs unranked) and iOS requirement (16.6 vs 18.0). On price, update cadence, 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

Both are free to download. iCAD sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Link to Windows asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Link to Windows ships an update fortnightly, iCAD every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 10, 2026 and November 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 8 level
Link to Windows versus iCAD: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLink to WindowsiCAD
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (17K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews56.2% of reviews—
Number of ratings17K — better—
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree—
Best chart rank#18 — better—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS16.6 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size103 MB46 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMicrosoft Corporation乐勇 刘

Bugs and requests

Link to Windows

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • App crashes and freezes
  • Bluetooth interference with other devices
  • Inability to reconnect after device is out of range

Requested features

4 requests
  • Seamless call handling between phone and PC
  • Full message history sync
  • Support for media sharing
  • Group messaging functionality

iCAD

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Link to Windows

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

iCAD

Subscriptions2
  • iCAD Pro Monthly$1.991 Month
  • iCAD Pro Yearly7 Days trial$17.991 Year

Questions

Is Link to Windows free?
Link to Windows is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is iCAD free?
iCAD is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Link to Windows or iCAD have ads?
Neither Link to Windows nor iCAD shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Link to Windows or iCAD?
Link to Windows ships an update fortnightly, and iCAD every 3 weeks. Most recently, Link to Windows was updated on November 10, 2026 and iCAD on November 6, 2026.

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