Comparison

StarLight vs TextLayer Reader

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

Head to head
About

StarLight

Access and control your personal computer remotely from your mobile device. This utility app also offers comprehensive controller testing and input monitoring for a seamless experience.

Highlights
  • Remote PC connection and control
  • Access installed applications
  • Video streaming and control
  • Real-time controller input detection
  • Visualized input response display
  • Supports multiple game controllers
Features
Read full description

StarLight is a remote PC access and streaming utility designed for iPhone and iPad. It provides low-latency video streaming, Apple Pencil input, virtual controls, controller testing, and flexible display options. Whether you want to control your desktop, access installed apps and games, or stream content between your own devices, StarLight provides a convenient and customizable experience. Core Features Remote PC Access • Connect to and control your own PC • View and interact with your desktop remotely • Support for local and remote network connections • High frame rates, multiple resolutions, and portrait or landscape streaming • Suitable for remote desktop use, installed apps, games, and personal content Video and Audio Enhancements • High-performance Metal rendering • MetalFX upscaling, sharpening, and multiple scaling modes • HDR and multiple video codecs on supported devices • Adjustable video alignment, safe area, and orientation • Audio haptics that convert sound into tactile feedback • Performance statistics for frame rate, latency, and network conditions Apple Pencil and Touch • Apple Pencil input support • Follow Touch, Native Pen, and Mouse modes • Native Pen mode for compatible drawing, design, and productivity apps • Mouse mode turns Apple Pencil into a pointer • Multi-touch, trackpad, and mouse control options Virtual Controls and Gamepads • Support for external game controllers • Customizable on-screen buttons and virtual gamepads • Adjustable joystick range, sensitivity, opacity, and margins • Multiple controllers, motion input, and vibration feedback • Backup, import, and restore virtual control layouts Controller Testing • Real-time controller button detection • Test analog sticks, triggers, directional pads, and motion input • Visualized input response • Support for a wide range of game controllers • Helps diagnose controller connection, input, and vibration issues Common Uses • Access your PC from an iPhone or iPad • Remotely use apps, games, and personal content installed on your PC • Use Apple Pencil with compatible drawing and productivity software • Connect to a home or office PC over a local network • Access your own device while away from home • Test controller buttons, sticks, triggers, and input behavior Compatible host software must be configured on your own PC before use. Video quality, latency, and feature availability depend on your host performance, network conditions, and device capabilities. StarLight does not sell or provide digital content, games, or in-app game items. It is intended only for remotely accessing and controlling PCs owned or managed by the user.

About

TextLayer Reader

Features
Read full description

TextLayer is a local-first EPUB reader designed for dialogue-heavy books. It helps you keep track of who is speaking by adding optional speaker labels to lines of dialogue, making long conversations easier to follow while you read. Everything is built around privacy and local control: - Import your own EPUB files - Read and organize books on your device - Use your own AI API key for optional speaker annotation - Keep book content, settings, and annotations on your device Key features: - Local EPUB library with fast import and reading progress - Reading Now and Library views for quick resume - Optional speaker labels for dialogue clarity - On-device, local-first workflow with no required account - Custom AI endpoint support using your own provider credentials - Adjustable reading appearance and themes - Local backup and restore for settings and library metadata TextLayer does not provide book content. You import your own EPUB files and control your own reading data.

Screenshots

StarLight4 screens
TextLayer Reader4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: TextLayer Reader at Free against StarLight's $2.99. StarLight's advantage is device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.0). On ads and in-app purchases 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

TextLayer Reader is free to download; StarLight costs $2.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
StarLight versus TextLayer Reader: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterStarLightTextLayer Reader
Price$2.99Free — better
Rating5.0 (16 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews92.3% of reviews—
Number of ratings16 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 4 days—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaid—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS13.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size61 MB2 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer健 耿楠楠 高

In-app purchases

None

StarLight

No in-app purchases

None

TextLayer Reader

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is StarLight free?
StarLight costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is TextLayer Reader free?
TextLayer Reader is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do StarLight or TextLayer Reader have ads?
Neither StarLight nor TextLayer Reader shows ads.

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