Comparison

DeskX vs DeskState

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

Head to head
About

DeskX

Transform your iPhone and iPad into a multi-window desktop environment with icons, folders, and a customizable Dock. Supports external displays, a multi-tab browser, and a full file manager for enhanced productivity.

Highlights
  • Multi-window interface
  • External display support
  • Customizable Dock
  • Full File Manager
  • Multi-tab browser
  • Pencil Overlay for annotation
  • Spaces for organization
Features
Read full description

Transform your iPhone and iPad into a true multi-window desktop: icons, folders, files, Dock and overlapping windows, with external-display support and modern input. All wrapped in the “Liquid Glass” aesthetic. Main features: • Real desktop – icons, folders, and files always at hand. • External display support – work on big screens. • Multiple windows – open, resize, and freely overlap apps. • Customizable Dock – quick access to your favorite apps. • Multi-tab browser – smooth browsing with download support. • Full File Manager – import, rename, tag, and organize without limits. • Web Apps – turn your favorite sites into dedicated apps with icons. • Spaces – separate desktops for work, study, creativity, or relaxation. • Pencil Overlay (iPhone & iPad) – draw and annotate anywhere, even over windows and the browser. • Controller support – use physical controllers in the browser and Web Apps (great for online games). • Access password – protect the entire environment with a secure code. • Backup & Restore – save the whole system and export it anytime. • Fullscreen browser + gamepad – a screen-filling mode ideal for cloud gaming with controllers. Widget: Drag, open, organize, and save your widgets directly on the desktop. Included examples: Weather, Stocks, Calendar, Reminders, World Clocks, News & Finance, Podcasts, Music, Quick Notes, and Monitoring. Built-in tools: • Archive Manager – create .zip archives or extract them in a tap. • AudioWorkFlow – convert audio files (e.g., WAV) and create albums fast. • Glass Office Viewer – open documents, spreadsheets, and presentations in common formats. • OpenMaps – maps based on OpenStreetMap with dedicated action buttons. • AI WebApps – instant access to ChatGPT and Google AI Studio right from the desktop. • VideoEditor Online – ready-made shortcuts to CapCut Online and Canva. • Native Text Editor – write with ease and export to PDF and images. • Calculator – always within Dock reach. • DeskGames – a curated set of links to legitimate online games. Personalization: • Dynamic themes – Light, Dark, Liquid Glass, Neon, Minimal, and more. • Custom wallpapers – import your own or use the included ones. • Custom fonts – load and use any font across the interface. • Color palette – tweak accents, borders, and details to craft your visual identity. Compatibility: • iPhone with Lightning port: supported via Lightning Digital AV Adapter (HDMI) with system mirroring. • iPhone/iPad with USB-C: supported via USB-C → HDMI/DisplayPort adapters/docks with system mirroring. • Resolution handling: the app automatically adapts the workspace to the external display’s resolution (when connected). External displays: • iPhone: Desktop mode requires an external display (HDMI/DisplayPort via adapter). Without an external display, the app returns to the start screen. • iPad: Desktop mode is available on the built-in display and on external monitors (native mirroring). Tips: for maximum stability, use original or certified cables/adapters. Some third-party combos may limit resolution, audio, or DRM (HDCP) in video/game WebApps. The AI WebApps, VideoEditor Online, and DeskGames features provide links to third-party web apps/online services (e.g., ChatGPT, Google AI Studio, CapCut Online, Canva, and legitimate game portals) opened in the integrated browser. These services require an Internet connection and may require an account; they are subject to each provider’s terms of use and privacy. OpenMaps uses data from OpenStreetMap — © OpenStreetMap contributors. Glass Office Viewer enables viewing of common document formats; feature availability and compatibility may vary.

About

DeskState

Transform your iPhone into a focused external workspace. This app creates a windowed environment on a monitor with floating panels, keyboard/mouse support, and customizable layouts. Pin favorite web panels to maintain a consistent and efficient setup.

Highlights
  • External display workspace
  • Floating windows
  • Keyboard and mouse support
  • Pin favorite web panels
  • Customizable backgrounds
Features
Read full description

iOS mirrors your iPhone with black bars. DeskState gives you a desktop instead: plug into a monitor, TV or projector and get windows, a Dock, Launchpad, Spotlight and Mission Control at the display's full resolution. Your iPhone becomes the trackpad and keyboard. A REAL DESKTOP • Windows you move, resize and snap to halves or quarters of the screen • A Dock you arrange yourself, Launchpad, Spotlight with quick sums, and Mission Control • A web browser with tabs, bookmarks, history and downloads, and any site as an app in your Dock • Notes, documents, console, calculator, focus timer and more • Your desktop remembers: windows come back where you left them YOUR IPHONE IS THE TRACKPAD • Swipe, tap, two-finger scroll, double-tap and hold to drag, three fingers for all your windows • Type with the iPhone keyboard and see what you type; arrow keys, Tab and Esc above it • Works with a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse too CONNECT • iPhone 15 and later: any USB-C to HDMI cable • Earlier iPhones: Lightning Digital AV Adapter • Apple TV and AirPlay displays PLANS Your first five desktop sessions are Pro, free. After that the free plan gives you 20 minutes of desktop a day. DeskState Pro removes the limit and adds quarter snapping, a desktop for each display, themes and wallpapers, Pro tools and iCloud sync, monthly, yearly or once. Streaming services with copy protection show video only over a cable, not over AirPlay. DeskState is a desktop inside the app: it runs its own apps and websites, not other iOS apps. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

DeskX4 screens
DeskState4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: DeskX at 100% against DeskState's 0%. DeskX also leads on rating (5.0 vs 3.0) and in-app purchases (none vs 7). DeskState's advantage is price (Free vs $12.99). On ratings volume, 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

DeskState is free to download; DeskX costs $12.99 up front. DeskState sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. DeskX asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

DeskX holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 2 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of DeskX's written reviews are positive against 0% of DeskState's.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
DeskX versus DeskState: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDeskXDeskState
Price$12.99Free — better
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better3.0 (2 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings12 — better
Update frequency—Every 4 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFreemium — better
Best chart rank#179 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS17.2 — better18.6
Further details — not scored
Size218 MB48 MB
Age rating17+12+
DeveloperGiovanni AltruiAbraham Rubio

Customer experience

DeskX

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

DeskState

All ratings2 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

In-app purchases

None

DeskX

No in-app purchases

7 purchases

DeskState

Subscriptions5
  • Monthly subscription$2.991 Month
  • Monthly subscription$4.991 Month
  • Yearly subscription7 Days trial$14.991 Year
Show 2 more
  • Yearly subscription$14.991 Year
  • Yearly subscription$24.991 Year
One-time2
  • Lifetime subscription$29.99
  • Lifetime$59.99

Questions

Is DeskX free?
DeskX costs $12.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is DeskState free?
DeskState is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, DeskX or DeskState?
DeskX is rated higher. DeskX averages 5.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while DeskState averages 3.0 from 2 ratings.
Do DeskX or DeskState have ads?
Neither DeskX nor DeskState shows ads.

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