Comparison

Control My Mac vs PDF ToolBox

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

Head to head
About

Control My Mac

Control your Mac from your iPhone or iPad with a customizable grid of one-tap buttons. It also functions as a wireless trackpad, keyboard, and app launcher, designed for one-handed use and prioritizing privacy.

Highlights
  • Customizable shortcut grids for Mac apps
  • Wireless trackpad and keyboard functionality
  • App and window launcher
  • One-handed operation design
  • Device-to-device encrypted connection
  • Optional free and paid subscription tiers
Features
Read full description

Control My Mac puts your Mac's shortcuts on your iPhone or iPad: a Grid of big one-tap buttons for every Mac app, which switches in by itself when that app comes forward. It is also a wireless trackpad, keyboard and app Launcher you can use with one finger from anywhere in the room. Install the free Mac companion app from controlmymac.com, scan its QR code, and you are connected. No account, no sign-up. WHAT YOU CAN DO • Grid: your own shortcut buttons, with a separate grid for each Mac app. Teach it a key combination straight from your Mac • Trackpad: move, click, right-click and scroll with one finger • Keyboard: type live, or write a draft and insert it in one go • Launcher: your Mac's open apps as a grid. Bring any app or window forward, or open a saved set • Mac keyboard shortcuts, gestures, presets and quick controls • iPad: a larger trackpad, roomier keyboard, bigger Grid and a layout you can rearrange • Light, Dark and any accent color, plus Help Mode, where every button explains itself Scrolling, the full Grid, the Launcher, Mac shortcuts, gestures and presets are part of Full App (details below). MADE FOR ONE HAND Every control sits within reach of a single finger, whether you use one hand by choice or by necessity. Run a Mac connected to your TV from the sofa, use it as a presentation clicker, or keep it next to you at the desk. PRIVATE BY DESIGN No account. No servers. Your iPhone or iPad connects straight to your Mac over Bluetooth or your local network, encrypted device-to-device, and nothing you type or do leaves your two devices. The Mac app needs macOS Accessibility permission so it can move your cursor and type for you. The camera only scans the pairing code, and Local Network is only used to find your Mac. ESSENTIALS STAYS AVAILABLE. FULL APP IS OPTIONAL. Try Full App free for 7 days to use every module before deciding. When the trial ends: • Essentials Plan, free: trackpad movement, click, right click, Live and Draft Keyboard basics, one Grid button, Launcher preview, dark mode, accent colors and Help Mode • Full App, a monthly or yearly subscription or a one-time lifetime purchase: scrolling, the full Grid with app grids and Auto-Switch, Launcher and window switching without upgrade prompts, Mac keyboard shortcuts, full gestures, presets and quick controls Prices vary by country. Subscriptions are charged to your Apple Account and renew automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Manage or cancel anytime in your Apple Account settings. The lifetime option is a one-off purchase with no renewal. WHAT YOU NEED • iPhone or iPad with iOS or iPadOS 18 or later • The free Mac companion app on macOS 14 or later, from controlmymac.com • Both devices within Bluetooth range, or on the same Wi-Fi network Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://www.controlmymac.com/privacy

About

PDF ToolBox

Features
Read full description

PDF Toolbox is a free, simple PDF utility for everyday document tasks. Scan paper documents, turn photos into PDFs, merge multiple PDF files, split selected pages, compress large PDFs, and manage your saved documents in one clean app. Features: Scan documents to PDF using your camera Convert multiple images into one PDF Merge PDF files together Split selected pages from a PDF Compress PDFs to reduce file size Preview saved PDFs Rename, delete, and share local documents Export using the iOS share sheet No account or login required

Screenshots

Control My Mac4 screens
PDF ToolBox4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: PDF ToolBox at none against Control My Mac's 3. Control My Mac's advantage is update cadence (every 2 days vs every 3 months). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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

Both are free to download. Control My Mac sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. PDF ToolBox asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Control My Mac ships an update every 2 days, PDF ToolBox every 3 months. Both last shipped on November 13, 2026.

Scorecard2 real differences · 7 level
Control My Mac versus PDF ToolBox: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterControl My MacPDF ToolBox
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings2 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 days — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18.017.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size13 MB6 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSebastian Skoic1BIGRIG Ltd

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Control My Mac

Subscriptions2
  • Full App - Monthly7 Days trial$4.991 Month
  • Full App - Yearly7 Days trial$39.991 Year
One-time1
  • Full App - Lifetime$62.99
None

PDF ToolBox

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Control My Mac free?
Control My Mac is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is PDF ToolBox free?
PDF ToolBox is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Control My Mac or PDF ToolBox have ads?
Neither Control My Mac nor PDF ToolBox shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Control My Mac or PDF ToolBox?
Control My Mac ships an update every 2 days, and PDF ToolBox every 3 months. Most recently, Control My Mac was updated on November 13, 2026 and PDF ToolBox on November 13, 2026.

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