# DeskState vs Desktop Mode OS

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Desktop Mode OS at 71% against DeskState's 0%. Desktop Mode OS also leads on rating (4.6 vs 3.7) and ratings volume (24 vs 3). DeskState's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. DeskState sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and Desktop Mode OS sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $14.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Desktop Mode OS holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Desktop Mode OS has 24 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 0% of DeskState's written reviews are positive against 71% of Desktop Mode OS's.

DeskState ships an update every 4 days, Desktop Mode OS every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on November 5, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | DeskState | Desktop Mode OS |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.7 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/deskstate/id6757682755/reviews) | **[4.6 (24 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/desktop-mode-os-prodocktive/id6762341245/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 3 | **24** |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | **71.4% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 4 days** | Every 6 days |
| Monetization | Freemium | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 48 MB | 38 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.6 | **18.0** |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone |
| Age rating | 12+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Abraham Rubio](https://appshunter.io/developer/1571784493) | [Gautam Sukhramani](https://appshunter.io/developer/1893868918) |

## What reviewers say

### DeskState

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/deskstate/id6757682755)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Game Controller support, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly subscription | $2.99 | per month |
| Monthly subscription | $4.99 | per month |
| Yearly subscription | $14.99 | per year |
| Yearly subscription | $14.99 | per year |
| Yearly subscription | $24.99 | per year |
| Lifetime subscription | $29.99 | one-time |
| Lifetime | $59.99 | one-time |


### Desktop Mode OS

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/desktop-mode-os-prodocktive/id6762341245)

Transform your iPhone into a powerful desktop workstation, extending its capabilities to external displays like AR glasses, monitors, or TVs. Experience a high-performance desktop environment using your phone's native silicon, with innovative input modes for seamless interaction.

**Highlights:** Turn iPhone into a desktop workstation, Extend to AR glasses, monitors, TVs, Spatial productivity with AR glasses, Multiple input modes: Air Mouse, Hand Tracking, Liquid Trackpad, Connect to any display (USB-C, HDMI, AirPlay), Sync Assistant for webview issues, Pin frequently used sessions to dock

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Yearly subscription | $14.99 | per year |
| Lifetime subscription | $19.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is DeskState free?

DeskState is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Desktop Mode OS free?

Desktop Mode OS is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, DeskState or Desktop Mode OS?

Desktop Mode OS is rated higher. DeskState averages 3.7 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while Desktop Mode OS averages 4.6 from 24 ratings.

### Do DeskState or Desktop Mode OS have ads?

Desktop Mode OS shows ads; DeskState does not.

### Which is updated more often, DeskState or Desktop Mode OS?

DeskState ships an update every 4 days, and Desktop Mode OS every 6 days. Most recently, DeskState was updated on November 5, 2026 and Desktop Mode OS on October 31, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*