# Shortcut Remote vs Backstage Sidekick

The clearest difference is update cadence: Backstage Sidekick at every 5 days against Shortcut Remote's every 2 weeks. Shortcut Remote's advantage is iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Shortcut Remote ships an update every 2 weeks, Backstage Sidekick every 5 days. Both last shipped on October 14, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Shortcut Remote | Backstage Sidekick |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[1.3 (12 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shortcut-remote/id6615065841/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **12** | — |
| Positive reviews | 12.5% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | **Every 5 days** |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Size | 3 MB | 4 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [深圳汉王友基科技有限公司](https://appshunter.io/developer/1468049952) | [Slow Arcs, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1896318722) |

## What reviewers say

### Shortcut Remote

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shortcut-remote/id6615065841)

Customize wireless shortcut remote button functions on your mobile device. Enhance your creative workflow with pre-set software configurations for popular tools.

**Highlights:** Customize remote button functions, Wireless connectivity, Mobile device integration, Pre-set software configurations, Enhance creative workflow

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Good form factor and feel
- 💡 Potential for a great budget alternative
- 👍 App interface looks promising
- 👍 Device is inexpensive and easy to use
- 👍 Works after firmware update

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 App crashes frequently
- 🐛 App connects but does nothing
- 🐛 Cannot save shortcuts
- 🐛 App doesn't work on iPad
- 🐛 Not saving changes

**Reported bugs**

- Shortcut remote not connecting
- App crashes
- App connects but does nothing
- Cannot save shortcuts
- App doesn't work on iPad

**Requested features**

- Fix shortcut remote connection issue
- Allow remote connection only to iPad
- Provide detailed connection and usage guides for iPad
- Add support for Ibispaint
- Add K11 switching function


### Backstage Sidekick

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backstage-sidekick/id6800130682)

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Shortcut Remote free?

Shortcut Remote is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Backstage Sidekick free?

Backstage Sidekick is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do Shortcut Remote or Backstage Sidekick have ads?

Neither Shortcut Remote nor Backstage Sidekick shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Shortcut Remote or Backstage Sidekick?

Shortcut Remote ships an update every 2 weeks, and Backstage Sidekick every 5 days. Most recently, Shortcut Remote was updated on October 14, 2026 and Backstage Sidekick on October 14, 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.*