Keypad vs Astropad Workbench
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Keypad
Transform your iPad into a smart keyboard for your Mac. Streamline workflows by launching apps, bookmarks, and tools with a single tap. Enhance productivity with custom timers and voice commands.
- Turn iPad into a Mac keyboard
- Launch apps and bookmarks
- Paste emojis instantly
- Switch browser tabs
- Custom Pomodoro timers
- Voice search integration
- Program custom panels
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USE YOUR IOS DEVICE FOR MAC SHORTCUTS - Switch between apps running on your Mac, replace your macOS dock - Launch bookmarks to your favorite sites, dashboards, docs, etc. - Tap emojis to paste them in any chat app - Switch between Google Chrome tabs PRICING Get started for free! Upgrade to enjoy ad-free! Unlimited keys for free, unlike alternatives such as Stream Deck mobile. CONNECTS WIRELESSLY TO YOUR MAC Install the Mac app, which runs quietly and securely in the background. VOICE WORKFLOWS Instantly search with your voice, and it opens the results in your favorite search engine on your Mac. EASY TO CONFIGURE You can configure everything directly from our app. No complicated desktop app. Terms: https://flowylabs.ai/keypad/tos Privacy policy: https://flowylabs.ai/keypad/privacy
Astropad Workbench
Access and control your Mac remotely from your iPhone or iPad. Manage your machine, run desktop applications, and monitor tasks from anywhere with a high-performance, secure connection.
- Real-time Mac control
- Voice dictation to Mac
- Unified multi-display workspace
- Apple Pencil cursor control
- Hassle-free network connections
- End-to-end encrypted sessions
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Access and control your Mac from anywhere, with full remote desktop and built-in terminal. Workbench connects you to your Mac from your iPhone, iPad, or another Mac. Check in on AI agents and long-running jobs, run desktop apps, or drop into the command line without being tethered to your desk. ——— KEY FEATURES Desktop and terminal: Switch between your Mac's full desktop and a terminal right from the toolbar. Terminal sessions keep running after you disconnect, so you can pick up where you left off on another device. Unified display: Combine your Mac's displays into one screen that matches your device's resolution. Headless Mac support: Run a Mac mini with no monitor attached. Workbench gives it a virtual display and manages sleep settings so it's always reachable. Voice input: Dictate prompts and commands from your iPhone or iPad, on the desktop or in the terminal. Apple Pencil and keyboard support: Use your Apple Pencil for precise cursor control in Mac apps, and your keyboard to type and trigger shortcuts. No-hassle connections: Connect instantly without port forwarding, VPNs, or router configuration. Fast, high-fidelity streaming: Interact with your Mac in real time with responsive controls and sharp visuals. Secure by design: Sessions are protected with end-to-end AES-256 encryption, and Astropad can't see your screen or activity. Built for Apple devices: Workbench uses fully native apps built specifically for Mac, iPad, and iPhone. ——— DESIGNED FOR AI AGENT WORKFLOWS Your agents don't stop when you leave your desk. Workbench lets you monitor progress, fix issues, and restart jobs from wherever you are. It's just as useful for checking on tools and software that don't have a mobile app. ——— BUILT BY EX-APPLE ENGINEERS From the team behind Astropad Studio and Luna Display, Workbench delivers fast, responsive control with crisp visuals and reliable performance on any network. ——— PRICING Workbench includes a Free plan with 20 minutes of access per day. Upgrade to Unlimited for uninterrupted access (subscription required). ——— SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS Mac: macOS 15 or later iPhone: iOS 26 or later iPad: iPadOS 26 or later
Screenshots
Verdict
Keypad and Astropad Workbench both sit at 5.0 stars, but that hides the real split: 100% of Keypad's written reviews are positive against 60% of Astropad Workbench's. Keypad also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 3 weeks) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 26.0). Astropad Workbench's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and ratings volume (210 vs 6). On price, rating, ads 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
Both are free to download. Keypad sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. Astropad Workbench asks for nothing beyond the download.
Keypad holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Astropad Workbench has 210 ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of Keypad's written reviews are positive against 60% of Astropad Workbench's.
Keypad ships an update weekly, Astropad Workbench every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Keypad | Astropad Workbench |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (6 ratings) — better | 4.8 (210 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better | 60.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 6 | 210 — better |
| Update frequency | Weekly — better | Every 3 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Freemium | Freemium |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 26.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 37 MB | 48 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | flowy labs, Inc. | Astro HQ |
Customer experience
Keypad
Astropad Workbench
In-app purchases
Keypad
- Monthly$5.991 Month
- Annual$19.991 Year
Astropad Workbench
No in-app purchases
