DeskX vs Control
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Multi-window interface
- External display support
- Customizable Dock
- Full File Manager
- Multi-tab browser
- Pencil Overlay for annotation
- Spaces for organization
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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.
Control
Consolidate your daily trackers, planners, and reminders into a single, elegant app. Monitor habits, budgets, fitness, and more directly from your Home Screen, Lock Screen, or Live Activities. Enjoy a private experience with all data stored locally and synced via iCloud.
- 20+ customizable iOS widgets
- Track habits, budget, fitness, and more
- Home Screen, Lock Screen, and Live Activities support
- Private data storage on device
- iCloud sync across devices
- No sign-ups or dark patterns
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Your Home Screen, redesigned. Control is a library of 20+ beautifully crafted iOS widgets - every tracker, planner, and reminder you actually use, gathered in one app. Habits, budget, fitness, medication, birthdays, travel, and much more, all glanceable from your Home Screen, Lock Screen, and Live Activities. No more juggling ten single-purpose apps. No sign-ups, no dark patterns. - TRACK EVERYTHING - • Habits - daily routines, streaks, goals • Budget - spending, savings, monthly limits • Subscriptions - see exactly what's recurring and when • Portfolio - track your investments • Debt - loans and credit cards, payoff progress • Currency - live exchange rates between any two currencies • Fitness - steps, workouts, calories burned via Apple Health • Calories - daily intake, weight goals • Period - cycle tracking with predictions • Medication - dose reminders for every prescription • Birthdays - pulled from Contacts, never forget another one • Books - what you're reading, with auto-fetched covers • Movies - your watchlist with poster art • Pets - feeding, walks, vet visits • Vehicle - mileage, services, fuel logs • Hotel & Travel - live check-out countdowns and trip dashboards • Past Trips - a souvenir of where you've been • Food Expiration - what's in your fridge and when it spoils • Game Tracker - leaderboards plus a multi-touch player picker • Speedometer - live drive sessions • Clipboard - quick-paste from history • To-do - checklists that sync across devices • Quit Tracker - sober days, money saved, life regained - PRIVATE BY DEFAULT - Everything is stored on your device and synced privately through your own iCloud account. No external servers. No tracking. No analytics SDKs. Your habits, finances, and reminders are yours. Control is built for people who want their Home Screen to do something useful. - Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Control at Free against DeskX's $12.99. DeskX's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.5) and in-app purchases (none vs 1). On ratings volume, 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
Control is free to download; DeskX costs $12.99 up front. Control sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. DeskX asks for nothing beyond the download.
DeskX holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 2 respectively.
| Parameter | DeskX | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $12.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better | 4.5 (2 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 1 | 2 — better |
| Update frequency | — | Every 6 days |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Paid | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 17.2 — better | 26.2 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 218 MB | 29 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Giovanni Altrui | Alex Patrick Palacean |
Customer experience
DeskX
Control
In-app purchases
DeskX
No in-app purchases
Control
- Control Lifetime$9.99









