Beam vs Remote Desktop

Beam brings your Mac screen to your iPhone when you step away. Watch on your Mac, open Beam on iPhone, and keep going instantly over local Wi-Fi. After first-time pairing, reconnect is automatic. • Streams your Mac display with system audio • Picture in Picture support on iPhone • Play/Pause, Next, and Previous media controls • Local network only (no cloud account required) • Encrypted pairing between your devices • Built for low-latency continuity Free tier: • 3-day free trial with no limits • Then up to 30 minutes/day with a 24-hour reset Beam Unlimited: • One-time non-consumable in-app purchase • Removes session limits and cooldowns Important: • Requires the Beacon companion app on your Mac • Mac and iPhone must be on the same local network • Beam is not a remote desktop or internet streaming app.

Your computer, in your pocket. Remote Desktop lets you see and control your Mac or Windows PC right from your iPhone or iPad — anywhere you have internet. No complicated setup, no servers to run, no port forwarding, no monthly fees. Install the free host app on your computer, select your device, and you're connected. Beautifully simple Most remote desktop tools are built for IT departments. This one is built for you. There's nothing to configure. Open the app, click once, and your computer appears on screen — live, with sound, and fully controllable. What you can do • See your computer's screen in crisp, real-time video • Hear your computer's audio streamed straight to your device • Tap, scroll, and drag with an intuitive touch-cursor • Type with your on-screen or hardware keyboard • Use a connected trackpad or mouse for precise control • Works great on both iPhone and iPad Set up in seconds Download the free Mac or Windows host app Sign in with the same Apple Account on both devices Select the device you want to control Done — you're connected Private by design Your connection is direct and end-to-end. Pairing only works between devices signed into your own Apple Account, so no stranger can ever reach your computer. There's no middle-man server storing your screen or your data — the video, audio, and controls flow straight between your devices. • Free to use • No account to create • No router settings to change • No subscriptions • Just works Whether you need to grab a file, check on a long-running task, run a desktop app on the go, or help yourself from the couch — Remote Desktop keeps your whole computer one tap away. Note: Requires the free companion host app for Mac or Windows, and both devices must be signed into the same Apple Account. A reliable internet connection is recommended for the best experience.