Comparison

StarDesk vs TapDeck

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

Head to head
About

StarDesk

Control your PC remotely from any device with ultra-low latency and secure connections. Stream games in 4K, transfer files quickly, and access your work applications seamlessly. Ideal for both gamers and professionals needing constant PC access.

Highlights
  • Ultra-low latency remote desktop
  • Secure remote access
  • 4K streaming
  • Fast file transfer
  • Remote PC gaming
  • Remote work and productivity
  • Remote wake
Read full description

StarDesk – Powerful Multi-Platform Remote Desktop Control your PC or Mac remotely from iOS, Mac, Android, or Windows devices. Perfect for remote work, gaming, and technical support. Enjoy ultra-low latency with high-speed direct connections for a smooth, local-like experience. Stream up to 4K at 144 FPS, with full support for mouse & keyboard, game controllers, and multi-touch gestures—ideal for gaming and productivity. Key Features - Remote Gaming: Play PC games on your mobile device in stunning 4K 144 FPS with minimal lag. Hundreds of customizable keyboard mappings and plug-and-play gamepad support. - Remote Work: Wake your PC remotely, control multiple screens, transfer files without limits (any size or format), and work in true-color HDR/4:4:4 mode—perfect for design, CAD, Photoshop, Microsoft Office, WPS, and more. - PC & Mac Host Support: Use your PC or Mac as a host machine—access and control your computer remotely from any device, anytime, anywhere. - Seamless cross-platform access anytime, anywhere. Why StarDesk Stands Out - Millisecond-level responsiveness for fluid control - Multi-screen management with quick switching - Unlimited high-speed file transfers - HDR and true-color support for precise visuals - Full PC and Mac host support for remote access About Accessibility Service Usage To ensure smooth external keyboard operation (e.g., Bluetooth keyboards), this app uses Android's AccessibilityService API. It captures input events to prevent system interference and accurately transmit keystrokes to your remote PC. We only collect temporary input data during active remote sessions—no storage or sharing of personal information. You can disable this feature anytime in system settings. For details, see our Privacy Policy. We Value Your Privacy All data transmission is encrypted end-to-end. Learn more at www.stardesk.net/license/privacy-policy.

About

TapDeck

Transform your iPhone or iPad into a personalized PC gaming controller. Enjoy a fast, reliable connection and design custom layouts to match your play style. Personalize your experience with unique themes.

Highlights
  • Customizable PC gaming controller
  • Personalized layout design
  • Fast, reliable wired connection
  • Unique theme personalization
  • iPhone and iPad support
Features
Read full description

Turn your iPhone or iPad into a fully customizable PC gaming controller. Connect with a fast, reliable wired connection, design a layout that fits your play style, and personalize your controller with unique themes. EULA: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

StarDesk4 screens
TapDeck4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: StarDesk at 4.9 against TapDeck's 3.3. StarDesk also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 6) and ratings volume (175 vs 3). TapDeck's advantage is review sentiment (100% vs 86%) and update cadence (every 5 days vs every 2 weeks). On price, 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. TapDeck sells 6 one-off in-app purchases. StarDesk asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

StarDesk holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 3.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: StarDesk has 175 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 86% of StarDesk's written reviews are positive against 100% of TapDeck's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

StarDesk ships an update every 2 weeks, TapDeck every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
StarDesk versus TapDeck: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterStarDeskTapDeck
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (175 ratings) — better3.3 (3 ratings)
Positive reviews86.4% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings175 — better3
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksEvery 5 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better18.5
Further details — not scored
Size62 MB13 MB
Age rating+44+
DeveloperGearUP Portal PTE. LTD.Yashua Evans

Customer experience

StarDesk

All ratings175 ratings
Positive96.0%
Neutral1.1%
Negative2.9%
Written reviews59 reviews
Positive86.4%
Neutral3.4%
Negative10.2%

TapDeck

All ratings3 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

StarDesk

No in-app purchases

6 purchases

TapDeck

One-time6
  • Tier 1 Tokens Pack$0.99
  • Tier 2 Tokens Pack$1.99
  • Tier 3 Tokens Pack$4.99
Show 3 more
  • Tier 4 Tokens Pack$9.99
  • Tier 5 Tokens Pack$19.99
  • Tier 6 Tokens Pack$49.99

Questions

Is StarDesk free?
StarDesk is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is TapDeck free?
TapDeck is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, StarDesk or TapDeck?
StarDesk is rated higher. StarDesk averages 4.9 out of 5 from 175 ratings, while TapDeck averages 3.3 from 3 ratings.
Do StarDesk or TapDeck have ads?
Neither StarDesk nor TapDeck shows ads.
Which is updated more often, StarDesk or TapDeck?
StarDesk ships an update every 2 weeks, and TapDeck every 5 days. Most recently, StarDesk was updated on October 13, 2026 and TapDeck on October 9, 2026.

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