Comparison

Dongled vs HDMeye

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

Head to head
About

Dongled

This utility app transforms your USB-C enabled iPad into a wired video monitor using a UVC capture card. It offers low-latency, real-time streaming for cameras and game consoles, adapting dynamically to various resolutions and frame rates.

Highlights
  • Real-time UVC video and audio streaming
  • Low latency wired connection
  • Dynamic resolution and frame rate adaptation
  • Fullscreen display for cameras and consoles
  • Open-source and free to use
  • No ads or data collection
Features
Read full description

Dongled: Seamless UVC Video Streaming This app requires a USB-C enabled iPad and UVC capture card or dongle to function. Dongled brings straightforward USB-C video and audio streaming to your device, with a UVC capture card Dongled turns your display into a full screen wired video monitor. Key Features: ◎ No Ads: Dongled is a free app, does not use or collect your data, and all the audio and HD visual monitoring functions are free. ◎ Open Source: The app source code is free and open to anyone under the permissive MIT license. ◎ Super Lightweight: A responsive user experience focused on one task, Dongled is designed as a plug and play app, no interface needed. ◎ Low Latency: Dongled was built around a core goal of achieving minimal latency, experience quicker response times and higher refresh rates vs wireless connections. ◎ Real-time Monitoring: Connect to USB-C camera sources for both video and, on supported devices, 1 or 2 channel audio playback via speakers or Bluetooth. ◎ Dynamic Adaptation: Dongled auto-adjusts to various resolutions and frame rates. The app uses the aspect ratios and resolutions set by your hardware. Dongled lets you connect game consoles or cameras directly to your USB-C device for fullscreen gaming, enhanced resolution, and seamless camera monitoring—no wireless setup or extra configuration needed.

About

HDMeye

Transform your iPad into an external HDMI display for gaming, content creation, or professional use. View HDMI sources in real-time with Picture-in-Picture mode, enjoy immersive audio, and customize your display with various controls. Includes a free trial and an option for unlimited access.

Highlights
  • Real-time HDMI viewing
  • Picture-in-Picture mode
  • Audio passthrough
  • Retro gaming scanlines
  • Display rotation and mirroring
  • Dark mode
Features
Read full description

Transform your iPad into a powerful, versatile HDMI display with HDMeye – the app for gamers, creators, and professionals who need a flexible external screen anywhere. Compatibility: - Connect an HDMI source through a compatible HDMI-to-USB capture card, including affordable options available on Amazon and AliExpress. - Tested with MACROSILICON-based capture hardware. - Requires a USB video capture device. Standard USB-C-to-HDMI display adapters do not provide capture input. Key Features: - Real-Time HDMI Viewing Connect your gaming console, camera, or other HDMI source and view its video directly on your iPad. Video quality and latency depend on your capture hardware and source. - Picture in Picture Keep your HDMI feed visible in a floating window while using other apps. Take notes, browse, or multitask without losing sight of your video. Pause and resume playback, then return to HDMeye when you’re ready. Rotation and mirroring carry over into Picture in Picture. - Immersive Audio Experience Enjoy audio passthrough through your iPad’s speakers or headphones. - Retro Gaming Magic Relive classic gaming moments with scanlines that recreate the nostalgic CRT display experience in the main viewing screen. - Flexible Display Controls Customize your view with rotation, mirroring, and a tap-to-fill viewing mode to suit your setup. - Eye-Friendly Dark Mode Work or play comfortably in low-light environments with a sleek, modern dark theme. Pricing: - Try Before You Buy: Enjoy a free one-hour trial. Trial time counts only during connected playback. - Unlock Unlimited: A one-time purchase of HDMeye Pro removes the time limit. Perfect For: - Retro gaming enthusiasts - Content creators - Streamers and video producers - Professionals needing portable display solutions - Anyone wanting to view an HDMI source on an iPad Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://justshare.me/hdmeye/privacy

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Dongled at none against HDMeye's 1. Dongled also leads on update cadence (every 3 months vs every 9 months) and ratings volume (24 vs 3). HDMeye's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.6) and review sentiment (100% vs 91%). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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. HDMeye sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Dongled asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

HDMeye holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Dongled has 24 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 91% of Dongled's written reviews are positive against 100% of HDMeye's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Dongled ships an update every 3 months, HDMeye every 9 months. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and November 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Dongled versus HDMeye: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDongledHDMeye
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (24 ratings)5.0 (3 ratings) — better
Positive reviews90.9% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings24 — better3
Update frequencyEvery 3 months — betterEvery 9 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPadiPad
Requires iOS17.017
Further details — not scored
Size1 MB4 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperOddforms Design LLCErfan Reed

Customer experience

Dongled

All ratings23 ratings
Positive87.0%
Neutral4.3%
Negative8.7%
Written reviews11 reviews
Positive90.9%
Neutral9.1%
Negative0.0%

HDMeye

All ratings3 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Dongled

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

HDMeye

One-time1
  • HDMeye Pro$0.99

Questions

Is Dongled free?
Dongled is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is HDMeye free?
HDMeye is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Dongled or HDMeye?
HDMeye is rated higher. Dongled averages 4.6 out of 5 from 24 ratings, while HDMeye averages 5.0 from 3 ratings.
Do Dongled or HDMeye have ads?
Neither Dongled nor HDMeye shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Dongled or HDMeye?
Dongled ships an update every 3 months, and HDMeye every 9 months. Most recently, Dongled was updated on November 3, 2026 and HDMeye on November 4, 2026.

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