Comparison

Pulse for Mac vs CommandDeck

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

Head to head
About

Pulse for Mac

Features
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Monitor your Mac's system performance in real-time from your iPhone. Pulse for Mac displays CPU usage, GPU usage, temperatures, memory pressure, battery level, and fan speed — all streamed live over your local Wi-Fi network. Features: • Real-time CPU & GPU usage with temperature • Memory usage and pressure indicator • Battery level and charging status • Fan speed monitoring • Auto-discovery via Bonjour • Portrait and landscape layouts • Keep Screen On option for desk display Requirements: • MacPulse Server running on your Mac (free download at GitHub) • iPhone and Mac on the same Wi-Fi network

About

CommandDeck

Features
Read full description

CommandDeck turns your iPhone into a remote control for your Mac. Adjust the volume, play or pause media, skip tracks, launch apps, and keep your Mac awake — straight from your phone, over your own local network. Your iPhone and Mac talk to each other directly on your Wi-Fi. Commands do not travel through our servers. Pairing is a one-time 6-digit PIN shown on your Mac. WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR FREE • Pair your iPhone with your Mac • Try basic volume and media controls • Confirm that CommandDeck works on your own network before upgrading COMMANDDECK PRO Pro unlocks the full Mac remote: • Volume — set or mute your Mac's output from your phone • Media — play, pause, skip, seek, shuffle, and repeat in the apps you already use • Apps — launch your Mac apps with a tap • Keep awake — stop your Mac from sleeping while it works • Lock screen, display sleep/wake, Shortcuts, and more system controls • Widgets and extras — run Mac actions from your iPhone faster • More controls — add new ones anytime with community packages COMMUNITY PACKAGES Controls are modular. Beyond the built-ins, you can install community packages to add new buttons, toggles, and sliders — no app update required. Browse and add them right from the app. PRICING Start with basic controls for free. CommandDeck Pro includes a 7-day free trial, then $29.99/year or $2.99/month. A one-time $79.99 lifetime unlock is also available. No ads, no account sign-up. PRIVATE BY DESIGN Everything runs on your local network. Your Mac and iPhone connect directly; control commands stay on your Wi-Fi and are not routed through us. No account required, nothing to sign up for. REQUIREMENTS • An iPhone and a Mac on the same local network • The free CommandDeck Mac app (menu-bar app — a quick free download) • That's the entire install — every control, including lock screen, sleep, media keys, Shortcuts, and scripts, works right away, no separate helper app needed CommandDeck has no ads and no AI — it just controls your Mac. Download CommandDeck for Mac: https://commanddeck.meoa.space/download Terms of Use: https://commanddeck.meoa.space/terms

Screenshots

Pulse for Mac1 screens
CommandDeck4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Pulse for Mac at none against CommandDeck's 3. Pulse for Mac also leads on update cadence (daily vs every 4 days) and iOS requirement (17.0 vs 26.5). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price Ā· Rating Ā· Positive reviews Ā· Number of ratings Ā· Update frequency Ā· Ads Ā· In-app purchases Ā· Monetization Ā· Best chart rank Ā· Devices Ā· Requires iOS

CostPrice Ā· In-app purchases Ā· Ads Ā· Monetization

Both are free to download. CommandDeck sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Pulse for Mac asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Pulse for Mac ships an update daily, CommandDeck every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on September 17, 2026 and September 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences Ā· 3 level
Pulse for Mac versus CommandDeck: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPulse for MacCommandDeck
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyDaily — betterEvery 4 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS17.0 — better26.5
Further details — not scored
Size0 MB12 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperInGyu RhoRassul Kainazarov

In-app purchases

None

Pulse for Mac

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

CommandDeck

Subscriptions2
  • CommandMac Pro Monthly7 Days trial$2.991 Month
  • CommandMac Pro Annual7 Days trial$29.991 Year
One-time1
  • CommandDeck Pro Lifetime$79.99

Questions

Is Pulse for Mac free?
Pulse for Mac is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is CommandDeck free?
CommandDeck is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Pulse for Mac or CommandDeck have ads?
Neither Pulse for Mac nor CommandDeck shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Pulse for Mac or CommandDeck?
Pulse for Mac ships an update daily, and CommandDeck every 4 days. Most recently, Pulse for Mac was updated on September 17, 2026 and CommandDeck on September 9, 2026.

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