# OpenLens vs Tailscode

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: OpenLens at none against Tailscode's 4. OpenLens also leads on ratings volume (4 vs 1). Tailscode's advantage is update cadence (every 2 days vs every 5 days) and iOS requirement (18.0 vs 26.0). On price, rating, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Tailscode sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. OpenLens asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for OpenLens against 5.0 for Tailscode. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 4 and 1 respectively.

OpenLens ships an update every 5 days, Tailscode every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and October 3, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | OpenLens | Tailscode |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [5.0 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/openlens-opencode-client/id6759910797/reviews) | [5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tailscode-coding-agent-remote/id6791660932/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **4** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 83.3% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 5 days | **Every 2 days** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 11 MB | 37 MB |
| Requires iOS | 26.0 | **18.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, Mac** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Martyn Pekala](https://appshunter.io/developer/1223413943) | [Midgar Oy](https://appshunter.io/developer/1484270247) |

## What reviewers say

### OpenLens

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/openlens-opencode-client/id6759910797)

This application allows you to remotely control and monitor AI coding sessions from your iPhone. Continue your work seamlessly from your mobile device, manage sessions, and receive real-time updates.

**Highlights:** Remote AI coding session control, Real-time chat with streaming responses, Session management (create, delete), Switch AI providers and models, Live progress on Lock Screen/Dynamic Island, Bonjour/mDNS server discovery, Save multiple server connections

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### Tailscode

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tailscode-coding-agent-remote/id6791660932)

Interact with AI agents like Claude Code and Oh My Pi from your phone. Monitor and approve commands, view code changes, and manage conversations live on your lock screen. All data is transmitted point-to-point over your private network.

**Highlights:** Live Lock Screen Activities for conversations, Approve commands and answer agent questions, View code diffs and output inline, Manage multiple servers and conversations, Track conversation costs and model usage, End-to-end encrypted communication

**Features:** Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Small Tip | $2.99 | one-time |
| Generous Tip | $9.99 | one-time |
| Tailscode Pro | $14.99 | one-time |
| Lavish Tip | $19.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is OpenLens free?

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

### Is Tailscode free?

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

### Which has better reviews, OpenLens or Tailscode?

OpenLens and Tailscode are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 4 and 1 ratings respectively.

### Do OpenLens or Tailscode have ads?

Neither OpenLens nor Tailscode shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, OpenLens or Tailscode?

OpenLens ships an update every 5 days, and Tailscode every 2 days. Most recently, OpenLens was updated on September 24, 2026 and Tailscode on October 3, 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.*