Comparison

Always Online vs Desk Remote

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

Head to head
About

Always Online

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Stay Always Online, Effortlessly! Never worry about manually keeping your status online on Teams, Skype, Zoom, or any chat application again, even when you're not working or need a break. Our innovative app lets you stay connected without lifting a finger! How it works: 1. Simply install and place your phone down. 2. Activate the vibrate mode, and let your phone discreetly vibrate every minute, keeping your status active on platforms like Teams, Zoom, and Skype. 3. Customize your experience with features like: - Customizable shake intervals - Randomized shake patterns - Different shake intensities - Schedule screen dimming - Tap sounds on start and stop 4. Battery saver mode** ensures minimal power consumption, and the app automatically disables the shake when your battery is low When you're done, easily close the app and carry on. Stay connected without the hassle, enjoy complete control, and experience unmatched convenience! Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Desk Remote

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Turn your iPhone into a wireless trackpad and keyboard for your Mac. Move the cursor, type, control media, switch apps, and more — all without getting up. REQUIRES THE FREE MAC APP Desk Remote comes in two parts. This app runs on your iPhone; the free Desk Remote for Mac companion app runs on your Mac. Open Desk Remote on your iPhone and tap "Send link to my Mac" — the download link goes straight to your computer by AirDrop, Messages or Mail. Get the Mac app: https://apps.apple.com/app/id6758866900 With both installed, the two find each other over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth with zero configuration. Just open the app, tap your Mac, and start controlling. TRACKPAD • Single finger — move the cursor • Two fingers — scroll • Tap — left click • Double tap — double click • Two-finger tap — right click • Long press + drag — click and drag • Pinch — zoom in/out KEYBOARD • Full text input • Modifier keys: Cmd, Ctrl, Option • F1–F12 function keys • Arrow keys • Backspace and special keys MEDIA & SYSTEM CONTROLS • Play / Pause / Next / Previous • Volume up & down • Screen brightness • Mission Control & Spotlight APP LAUNCHER • View all running apps on your Mac • Switch to any app with one tap POWER MENU • Sleep, restart, log out, shut down — remotely CONNECTIVITY • Auto-discovery via Wi-Fi (Bonjour) and Bluetooth LE • Real-time connection status • Instant reconnection Free version includes trackpad, scrolling, clicks, and keyboard input. Upgrade to Pro to unlock media controls, volume, brightness, F-keys, arrow keys, app launcher, power menu, and advanced gestures. Requires the free Desk Remote for Mac app (Mac App Store, macOS 14 or later). SUBSCRIPTION Desk Remote Pro is an auto-renewable subscription (monthly or yearly). Payment is charged to your Apple Account. The subscription renews automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. You can manage or cancel it in your Apple Account settings. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://gelfand.dev/?policy=desk-remote-client

Screenshots

Always Online4 screens
Desk Remote4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Always Online at none against Desk Remote's shown. On price, update cadence, in-app purchases 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. Always Online sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $0.99 per month and Desk Remote sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Always Online ships an update monthly, Desk Remote every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 28, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 5 level
Always Online versus Desk Remote: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAlways OnlineDesk Remote
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyMonthly — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18.617.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size6 MB11 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperKshitij JhangraDaniil Nuzhdin

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Always Online

Subscriptions1
  • Always Online Monthly Subscription$0.991 Month
2 purchases

Desk Remote

Subscriptions2
  • Desk Remote Pro Monthly$1.991 Month
  • Desk Remote Pro Yearly$14.991 Year

Questions

Is Always Online free?
Always Online is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Desk Remote free?
Desk Remote is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Always Online or Desk Remote have ads?
Desk Remote shows ads; Always Online does not.
Which is updated more often, Always Online or Desk Remote?
Always Online ships an update monthly, and Desk Remote every 2 months. Most recently, Always Online was updated on October 28, 2026 and Desk Remote on October 14, 2026.

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