# Abode vs Screens 5

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Screens 5 at 49% against Abode's 23%. Screens 5 also leads on rating (4.5 vs 4.2) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 6 weeks). Abode's advantage is ratings volume (4.9K vs 578). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Abode sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month and Screens 5 sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Screens 5 holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Abode has 4.9K ratings behind it against 578, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 23% of Abode's written reviews are positive against 49% of Screens 5's.

Abode ships an update every 6 weeks, Screens 5 every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Abode | Screens 5 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.2 (4.9K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/abode/id828260682/reviews) | **[4.5 (578 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/screens-5-vnc-remote-desktop/id1663047912/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **4.9K** | 578 |
| Positive reviews | 23.4% of reviews | **48.9% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 258 MB | 70 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | 17.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPad, Mac, Vision Pro |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Abode Systems, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/828260685) | [Edovia Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/284606519) |

## What reviewers say

### Abode

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/abode/id828260682)

Control your home security system remotely. Arm and disarm your system, view live and recorded video, and receive instant alerts. Automate your home with custom actions and notifications, all from your mobile device.

**Highlights:** Arm & disarm system, View live & recorded video, Receive security alerts, Home automation, Customizable notifications, System setup & expansion, Timeline event filtering

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (8)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Single Camera | $3.99 | per month |
| Standard Plan | $8.49 | per month |
| 24/7 Recording | $9.99 | per month |
| Pro Plan | $26.99 | per month |
| Single Camera | $34.99 | per year |
| Standard Plan | $79.99 | per year |
| 24/7 Recording | $109.99 | per year |
| Pro Plan | $249.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Excellent security system
- 👍 Easy to install and set up
- 🔒 Reliable monitoring and notifications
- 💡 Flexible automation and integration options
- 🚀 Smooth and user-friendly app

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Unreliable camera connectivity and performance
- 🔋 Inconsistent geofencing and location services
- 💸 Paywall for basic features and notifications
- 🐛 Buggy app with frequent crashes and issues
- 👎 Poor customer support and responsiveness

**Reported bugs**

- Frequent app crashes and freezes
- Inconsistent device connectivity and offline issues
- Inaccurate sensor and alarm notifications
- Incompatibility with certain Wi-Fi network configurations

**Requested features**

- Improved HomeKit integration
- More customization options for sensors and automations
- Better battery life indicators and management
- Ability to rename devices within the app


### Screens 5

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/screens-5-vnc-remote-desktop/id1663047912)

Access and control your Mac, Windows, Linux, or Raspberry Pi computers remotely from any device. Enjoy fast, secure connections with features like privacy masking, multi-display support, and file transfer.

**Highlights:** Remote computer access, Secure connections, Multi-display support, Clipboard sharing, File transfer, Privacy masking (Curtain Mode)

**Features:** Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Subscription | $4.99 | per month |
| Yearly Subscription | $29.49 | per year |
| Yearly Subscription | $29.99 | per year |
| Lifetime Family Upgrade | Free | one-time |
| Lifetime | $199.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Excellent remote access
- 👍 Intuitive and user-friendly interface
- 🔒 Secure SSH-based remote control
- 👍 Native to Apple ecosystem
- 🚀 High-quality remote desktop rendering

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Unreliable connection and frequent disconnections
- 💰 Expensive subscription model
- 🔒 Requires complex networking setup (port forwarding, Tailscale)
- 🐛 Issues with full-screen mode and window management
- 🐛 Telemetry and analytics cannot be disabled

**Reported bugs**

- Inability to delete auto-saved nearby devices
- Inconsistent behavior when editing device configurations
- Screens Connect failing to work reliably

**Requested features**

- Ability to block remote input while keeping remote desktop visible
- File transfer between Mac and iOS/iPadOS
- Upgrade pricing for existing users


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Abode free?

Abode is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Screens 5 free?

Screens 5 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Abode or Screens 5?

Screens 5 is rated higher. Abode averages 4.2 out of 5 from 4.9K ratings, while Screens 5 averages 4.5 from 578 ratings.

### Do Abode or Screens 5 have ads?

Neither Abode nor Screens 5 shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Abode or Screens 5?

Abode ships an update every 6 weeks, and Screens 5 every 2 weeks. Most recently, Abode was updated on October 24, 2026 and Screens 5 on October 25, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*