Pipa Desk or another Mac remote desktop app?
Prices checked in November 2026. They may change; check the App Store before you buy.
There are good apps for using your Mac from an iPhone or iPad. They differ in three ways: how you pay (subscription or one-time purchase), what they can control (only Macs, or Windows and Linux too) and how much they were designed for touch. This page lays out the differences plainly, including where Pipa Desk isn't the best pick.
| App | How you pay | Controls | Strength |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pipa Desk | 20 min a day free; beyond that, a one-time purchase, no subscription | Mac | Built for touch, no account and no server in between, QR pairing |
| Jump Desktop | One-time purchase (team plans are subscriptions) | Mac and Windows | Mature, fast custom protocol, lots of options |
| Screens 5 | Yearly subscription or a lifetime purchase (US$24.99 a year or US$119) | Mac, Windows and Linux over VNC | Polished design, works with any VNC server |
| Astropad Workbench | 20 min a day free; subscription (US$14.99 a month or US$79.99 a year) | Mac | Designed for iPad and creative work |
| Sill | Free, open source | Mac windows | One window at a time, with Apple Pencil |
When Pipa Desk is the best pick
- You don't want a subscription. Pay once and use it forever, with Family Sharing. Before paying, you get 20 minutes a day free, no card needed.
- You want your whole Mac under your fingers. Direct touch or trackpad mode, the Mac's three- and four-finger gestures, a ⌘ ⌥ ⌃ key bar, and a physical keyboard and mouse on iPad.
- You don't want an account or a cloud. Your iPhone talks straight to your Mac, encrypted with TLS 1.3. There's no Pipa server in the path.
- Your Wi-Fi isn't great. Packet recovery and rate control keep the picture steady when the signal dips.
When another app fits better
- You need to control Windows or Linux: Jump Desktop or Screens. Pipa Desk is Mac only.
- You only want one window with Apple Pencil: Sill does that for free.
- You need team features and central management: Jump's team plans.
Common questions
Does Pipa Desk have a subscription?
No. You get 20 minutes a day free, and a one-time purchase unlocks unlimited use forever on all your iPhones and iPads.
Do I need an account?
No. You pair your iPhone with your Mac by scanning a QR code, and only devices you approve can connect.
Does it work away from home?
Yes, with Tailscale, without opening ports on your router. See the away-from-home guide.
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