Virtual Stream Deck vs DeckPad
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Virtual Stream Deck
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Your iPhone or iPad becomes a wireless stream deck for your Mac: a full-screen grid of big, glowing buttons that switch OBS scenes, launch apps, fire keyboard shortcuts, run Apple Shortcuts, and more. Tap the phone — the Mac does it instantly, over your own Wi-Fi. PAY ONCE, OWN IT No subscription. No account. No cloud. Try it free with six buttons, and unlock everything with a single one-time purchase. BUILT FOR STREAMING • Native OBS Studio integration (OBS 28 or later) — no plugins to install • Switch scenes from your real scene list, start/stop streaming and recording, mute your mic • Live state on every button: the record button glows while you're recording, your current scene stays highlighted, your mic button shows its true mute state • Runs entirely on your local network — taps land in milliseconds CONTROL YOUR WHOLE MAC • Send any keyboard shortcut to any app • Launch apps, open files and websites • Run any Apple Shortcut — if Shortcuts can do it, your deck can too • System controls: volume, mute, play/pause, next/previous track • Multi-actions: chain steps with delays into one button • Shell scripts for power users FEELS LIKE HARDWARE • Pure black, edge-to-edge button grid with crisp haptics on every press • Pages you swipe between, folders that open sub-decks • Custom icons, colors, and labels for every button • Profiles that switch automatically when you change apps on the Mac • The screen stays awake while you're connected PRIVATE BY DESIGN • Pair once with a 6-digit code shown on your Mac — like pairing AirPods • Every connection is end-to-end encrypted, and nothing ever leaves your network • No account, no analytics, no data collection. Ever. GETTING STARTED On your Mac, download the free companion app, Virtual Stream Deck Hub, from our website. Open this app on your iPhone or iPad — your Mac appears automatically. Type the 6-digit code. That's it: you're paired for good. Design your layouts in the Mac editor — drag in actions, pick icons and colors — and watch every change appear on your device instantly. REQUIRES • iOS/iPadOS 18 or later • A Mac running macOS 15 (Sequoia) or later with the free Virtual Stream Deck Hub app • Both devices on the same network • OBS features require OBS Studio 28+ with its WebSocket server enabled
DeckPad
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Turn any spare iPhone into a pro desk macro pad. DeckPad sends keystrokes to your computer over Wi-Fi — no cables, no dongles, no subscription. FREE FOREVER • Full numpad layer with beautiful themes • Key click sounds and haptic feedback • Desk mode: always-on screen, idle screensaver prevents burn-in • Pairs in seconds by scanning a QR code CKPAD PRO — ONE-TIME PURCHASE Unlock every premium layer and theme, forever. Works fully offline. • Financial Pro — spreadsheet-grade numpad layout • Media — play, pause, volume at your fingertips • Streamer — scenes,, record, BRB • Meeting, Presenter, Developer, Creative Studio • 13 premium themes: Neon RGB, Synthwave, Cyberpunk, AMOLED Black and more • Custom layers: design your own pads in DeckPad Studio, our free desktop editor for macOS, Windows and Linux HOW IT WORKS Install the free receiver DeckPad Studio on your computer Scan the QR code with DeckPad Tap keys on your phone — they land on your computer instantly No accounts. No cloud. No tracking. Your keystrokes never leave your local network.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is iOS requirement: DeckPad at 15.5 against Virtual Stream Deck's 18.0. On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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
Both are free to download. Virtual Stream Deck sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and DeckPad sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
| Parameter | Virtual Stream Deck | DeckPad |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | — |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | 15.5 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 11 MB | 36 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Joshua Vucelich | Andy TUNG |
In-app purchases
Virtual Stream Deck
- Virtual Stream Deck Pro$19.99
DeckPad
- DeckPad Pro$4.99
Questions
Is Virtual Stream Deck free?
Is DeckPad free?
Do Virtual Stream Deck or DeckPad have ads?
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