# External Display Desktop vs OpenDisplay

The clearest difference is rating: OpenDisplay at 4.7 against External Display Desktop's 4.2. OpenDisplay also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 3) and review sentiment (92% vs 59%). External Display Desktop's advantage is update cadence (every 2 days vs every 8 days). On price, ratings volume, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. External Display Desktop sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. OpenDisplay asks for nothing beyond the download.

OpenDisplay holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 19 and 21 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 59% of External Display Desktop's written reviews are positive against 92% of OpenDisplay's.

External Display Desktop ships an update every 2 days, OpenDisplay every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on October 28, 2026 and October 29, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | External Display Desktop | OpenDisplay |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.2 (19 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/external-display-desktop-xeos/id6758286241/reviews) | **[4.7 (21 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/opendisplay/id6780264891/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 19 | **21** |
| Positive reviews | 59.3% of reviews | **92.3% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 days** | Every 8 days |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 81 MB | 1 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Marian-Daniel Filipovici](https://appshunter.io/developer/1825291966) | [Philip Poloczek](https://appshunter.io/developer/1333036183) |

## What reviewers say

### External Display Desktop

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/external-display-desktop-xeos/id6758286241)

Browse the web, watch videos, and work on an external display using your iPhone. Enjoy full-resolution browsing, file management, and even video calls with camera and microphone support. It offers a desktop-like experience with mouse and keyboard compatibility, and a privacy-focused design with an integrated ad-blocker.

**Highlights:** Full-resolution browsing on external displays, Full-screen video playback, PDF and file opening in tabs, Camera and microphone support for calls, Mouse and keyboard support, Floating, resizable tabs, Integrated ad-blocker

**Features:** iPhone Duo support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Yearly | $14.99 | per year |
| Lifetime | $34.99 | one-time |


### OpenDisplay

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/opendisplay/id6780264891)

Transform your iPhone or iPad into a genuine second display for your Mac. This open-source solution allows you to extend your screen space, keeping essential apps visible. Connect via USB for minimal latency or Wi-Fi for easy setup.

**Highlights:** Use iPhone/iPad as a second Mac display, Connect via USB or Wi-Fi, Retina-sharp rendering, Touch and scroll support, Portrait or landscape orientation, Private by design, no tracking

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is External Display Desktop free?

External Display Desktop is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is OpenDisplay free?

OpenDisplay is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, External Display Desktop or OpenDisplay?

OpenDisplay is rated higher. External Display Desktop averages 4.2 out of 5 from 19 ratings, while OpenDisplay averages 4.7 from 21 ratings.

### Do External Display Desktop or OpenDisplay have ads?

Neither External Display Desktop nor OpenDisplay shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, External Display Desktop or OpenDisplay?

External Display Desktop ships an update every 2 days, and OpenDisplay every 8 days. Most recently, External Display Desktop was updated on October 28, 2026 and OpenDisplay on October 29, 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.*