Comparison

Helm vs PCBmaker

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

Head to head
About

Helm

Features
Read full description

Turn your iPhone into a powerful remote control for your Mac. Helm connects over SSH on your local network — no cloud, no third-party servers, just direct control. WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR FREE: • Trackpad — Move your cursor with smooth gestures, tap to click, scroll naturally • Keyboard — Quick clipboard shortcuts: copy, paste, cut, select all • Audio — Adjust volume, mute/unmute, quick presets • Power — Sleep, lock, restart, or shut down your Mac remotely UNLOCK HELM PRO: • Media Control — Now playing info, playback controls, seek, shuffle & repeat for Music and Spotify • Brightness — Adjust display brightness with a simple slider • Appearance — Toggle dark mode and change your Mac's accent color • Bluetooth — View connected devices with battery levels, connect and disconnect • Apps — See running apps, quit or force quit with one tap • Browser Tabs — Manage Safari and Chrome tabs remotely • Screenshot — Capture your Mac's screen and save to your iPhone • Storage — Monitor disk usage, view volumes, eject external drives HOW IT WORKS: 1. Enable Remote Login (SSH) on your Mac 2. Connect Helm on the same Wi-Fi network 3. Start controlling — that's it WHY HELM? • Privacy First — All data stays on your local network. No cloud. No tracking. • Auto-Discovery — Finds your Mac automatically via Bonjour • Multiple Devices — Save and switch between multiple Macs • Secure — Passwords stored in iOS Keychain with SSH host key verification • Beautiful Design — Premium dark interface with smooth animations and haptic feedback Perfect for developers, power users, and anyone who wants to control their Mac from the couch. Download Helm and take control today. Privacy Policy: https://cappsule.com.tr/helm/privacy-policy.html Terms of Use: https://cappsule.com.tr/helm/terms-of-service.html

About

PCBmaker

Features
Read full description

PCBmaker lets you design PCBs right on your iPhone: build a circuit from ready-made modules, route it automatically, then etch the board at home or order it from a factory. FREE FEATURES • Build circuits from ready-made modules: Arduino, ESP32, sensors, displays, motor drivers, voltage regulators and many more. • Connect pins automatically or by hand. • The Circuit Inspector (DRC) catches wiring mistakes. • The autorouter routes the traces for you. • Preview the board and the etching negative. • Export a 1:1 Print Negative (PDF) for home etching with toner transfer or a laser: top and bottom sides, mirroring, drill holes, outline, labels and laser kerf compensation. • Use starter projects with a parts list and an Arduino sketch. PCBmaker PRO, production exports: • Gerber ZIP ready to order from JLCPCB • KiCad netlist (.net) • JLCPCB BOM (CSV) Made for hobbyists, students and makers who solder their own boards and want to get from idea to working PCB fast. PCBmaker by Terlecki Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: [https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/](https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/]

Screenshots

Helm4 screens
PCBmaker4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: PCBmaker at every 8 days against Helm's every 2 months. On price, ads, in-app purchases 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. Helm sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and PCBmaker sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Helm ships an update every 2 months, PCBmaker every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on November 5, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference Ā· 5 level
Helm versus PCBmaker: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHelmPCBmaker
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 8 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS1717.0
Further details — not scored
Size28 MB12 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperCappsule TeknolojiBARTOSZ TERLECKI

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Helm

One-time1
  • Helm Pro$4.99
2 purchases

PCBmaker

Subscriptions2
  • PCBmaker PRO Monthly$6.991 Month
  • PCBmaker PRO Yearly$49.991 Year

Questions

Is Helm free?
Helm is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is PCBmaker free?
PCBmaker is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Helm or PCBmaker have ads?
Neither Helm nor PCBmaker shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Helm or PCBmaker?
Helm ships an update every 2 months, and PCBmaker every 8 days. Most recently, Helm was updated on November 5, 2026 and PCBmaker on October 31, 2026.

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