Comparison

Astropad Workbench vs BetterAudio Remote

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

Head to head
About

Astropad Workbench

Access and control your Mac's desktop and terminal remotely from your iPhone, iPad, or another Mac. Monitor AI agents, run applications, and use voice input or Apple Pencil for precise control. Connect instantly without complex network configurations.

Highlights
  • Remote desktop and terminal access
  • Unified display across devices
  • Headless Mac support
  • Voice input for commands
  • Apple Pencil and keyboard support
  • No-hassle, secure connections
  • Fast, high-fidelity streaming
Features
Read full description

Access and control your Mac from anywhere, with full remote desktop and built-in terminal. Workbench connects you to your Mac from your iPhone, iPad, or another Mac. Check in on AI agents and long-running jobs, run desktop apps, or drop into the command line without being tethered to your desk. ——— KEY FEATURES Desktop and terminal: Switch between your Mac's full desktop and a terminal right from the toolbar. Terminal sessions keep running after you disconnect, so you can pick up where you left off on another device. Unified display: Combine your Mac's displays into one screen that matches your device's resolution. Headless Mac support: Run a Mac mini with no monitor attached. Workbench gives it a virtual display and manages sleep settings so it's always reachable. Voice input: Dictate prompts and commands from your iPhone or iPad, on the desktop or in the terminal. Apple Pencil and keyboard support: Use your Apple Pencil for precise cursor control in Mac apps, and your keyboard to type and trigger shortcuts. No-hassle connections: Connect instantly without port forwarding, VPNs, or router configuration. Fast, high-fidelity streaming: Interact with your Mac in real time with responsive controls and sharp visuals. Secure by design: Sessions are protected with end-to-end AES-256 encryption, and Astropad can't see your screen or activity. Built for Apple devices: Workbench uses fully native apps built specifically for Mac, iPad, and iPhone. ——— DESIGNED FOR AI AGENT WORKFLOWS Your agents don't stop when you leave your desk. Workbench lets you monitor progress, fix issues, and restart jobs from wherever you are. It's just as useful for checking on tools and software that don't have a mobile app. ——— BUILT BY EX-APPLE ENGINEERS From the team behind Astropad Studio and Luna Display, Workbench delivers fast, responsive control with crisp visuals and reliable performance on any network. ——— PRICING Workbench includes a Free plan with 20 minutes of access per day. Upgrade to Unlimited for uninterrupted access (subscription required). ——— SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS Mac: macOS 15 or later iPhone: iOS 26 or later iPad: iPadOS 26 or later

About

BetterAudio Remote

Read full description

BetterAudio Remote turns your iPhone into a powerful controller for your Mac’s audio. Key features: - Remote control for Spotify and Apple Music Now Playing on macOS - Quick playback actions (play, pause, next/previous) - Control BetterAudio devices directly from your iPhone - Minimal, fast, and easy-to-use interface Whether you’re working, producing, or just listening, BetterAudio Remote keeps your audio under control - without reaching for your Mac. Control Now Playing for Spotify and Apple Music on your Mac with quick play/pause, skip, and track navigation - without switching screens or interrupting your workflow. It’s perfect for Mac users who want faster, more convenient audio control at their fingertips.

Screenshots

Astropad Workbench4 screens
BetterAudio Remote4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: BetterAudio Remote at 18.6 against Astropad Workbench's 26.0. On price, ads, 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Astropad Workbench versus BetterAudio Remote: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAstropad WorkbenchBetterAudio Remote
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (225 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews59.4% of reviews—
Number of ratings225 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS26.018.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size49 MB3 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperAstro HQArtur Rok

In-app purchases

None

Astropad Workbench

No in-app purchases

None

BetterAudio Remote

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Astropad Workbench free?
Astropad Workbench is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is BetterAudio Remote free?
BetterAudio Remote is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Astropad Workbench or BetterAudio Remote have ads?
Neither Astropad Workbench nor BetterAudio Remote shows ads.

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