Comparison

Remote Desktop vs Tomaco

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

Head to head
About

Remote Desktop

Features
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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.

About

Tomaco

Transform your iPhone or iPad into a high-performance remote control for your Mac. Experience a responsive, high-quality connection with features like local pointer rendering, instant audio streaming, and robust privacy controls. Access your Mac from anywhere with optional secure remote pairing.

Highlights
  • High-resolution 5K/120Hz display
  • Local pointer rendering for instant response
  • Zero-setup system audio streaming
  • Peer-to-peer local network privacy
  • Secure remote access with Tailscale
  • Two-way clipboard sync and file transfer
  • Adaptive smart shortcut bar
Features
Read full description

Tomaco does one thing: turn your iPhone or iPad into the best remote control for your Mac. Built exclusively for the Apple ecosystem — and because of that focus, every millisecond of latency and every frame of quality gets the attention it deserves. WHY TOMACO ■ Best-in-class picture A straight HEVC hardware encode/decode pipeline with up to 5K resolution and 120Hz ProMotion. Code and documents stay razor sharp. When the screen goes still, Tomaco automatically refines the frame to full clarity. ■ It feels right The pointer is rendered locally — it follows your finger instantly, fully decoupled from network latency. Two-finger scrolling has real inertia and rubber-banding. The cursor changes shape with content (I-beam over text, hand over links), just like a real trackpad. ■ Sound, zero setup Your Mac's system audio plays right on your iPhone/iPad. No virtual audio driver, no kernel extension, no reboot — connect and it just works. ■ Private by design Peer-to-peer on your local network: your screen and input never touch a third-party server. Secure Enclave hardware device keys, manual approval on first pairing, end-to-end encryption. ■ Remote made simple Away from home? Pair Tomaco with the free Tailscale app to reach your Mac securely from anywhere — a full guide is built in. Wake-on-LAN wakes a sleeping Mac remotely. FEATURES • Virtual Display: use a headless Mac with a dedicated 5K/120Hz screen (Pro) • Two-way clipboard sync and multi-file transfer • Smart shortcut bar that adapts to the frontmost Mac app (Pro) • Modifier keys bar: ⌘⌥⌃⇧ combos, Esc/Tab/arrows • Multi-display switching, auto-reconnect, adaptive quality on weak networks • Siri & Shortcuts: "Connect my Mac" • Trackpad mode (relative) and Touch mode (tap where you look) FREE & ONE-TIME PURCHASE The free tier is fully usable: no time limits, no ads. Tomaco Pro is a one-time purchase that unlocks 5K, 120Hz, the smart shortcut bar, Virtual Display and multiple Macs. No subscription. Ever. WHAT YOU NEED • A Mac (Apple Silicon or Intel, macOS 14+) running the free, notarized Tomaco Helper (download from our site) • iPhone/iPad on the same Wi-Fi, or a Tailscale connection for remote access

Screenshots

Remote Desktop3 screens
Tomaco4 screens

Verdict

The call

Remote Desktop and Tomaco are too close to call on the numbers: across 5 compared parameters — price, ads, in-app purchases and device support among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

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

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
Remote Desktop versus Tomaco: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRemote DesktopTomaco
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Number of ratings—2 — better
Update frequency—Weekly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
Monetization—Free with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.016.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size15 MB2 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperMichael Inal磊 崔

In-app purchases

None

Remote Desktop

No in-app purchases

None

Tomaco

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Remote Desktop free?
Remote Desktop is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Tomaco free?
Tomaco is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Remote Desktop or Tomaco have ads?
Neither Remote Desktop nor Tomaco shows ads.

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