Remolo or Screens 5
Screens 5 by Edovia is a full remote desktop over macOS’s built-in Screen Sharing: $3.99 a month, $29.99 a year or $199.99 lifetime. Access from outside needs Screens Connect with an account and port mapping on the router or Tailscale. Remolo is a remote: trackpad, clicker, buttons and a glance at the Mac’s screen (Pro), with access from any network through a built-in relay and no accounts.
Updated
| Remolo | Screens 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price on iPhone | free; Pro $2.99/mo or $14.99/yr | $3.99/mo, $29.99/yr or $199.99 lifetime |
| Trackpad with gestures | yes; 3–4 fingers in Pro | trackpad mode |
| Keyboard | any language, F1–F12 | yes |
| Advance slides | Keynote, PowerPoint, Google Slides, PDF | not stated |
| Talk timer | stopwatch; countdown with a buzz in Pro | not stated |
| Speaker notes on the phone | Keynote, PowerPoint (Pro) | not stated |
| Laser, drawing | laser, spotlight, marker (Pro) | not stated |
| The Mac’s screen on the phone | yes, with a magnifier (Pro) | full remote desktop |
| Custom buttons and macros | buttons, chains, AppleScript and Shell | toolbar presets, Shortcuts |
| Control from anywhere | yes, built-in relay with end-to-end encryption (Pro) | Screens Connect: account, router ports or Tailscale |
| Temporary access for someone else | one-time link for 1 hour, 1 day or 7 days (Pro) | Screens Assist |
| Account needed | no | only for Screens Connect |
| Apple Watch | yes (Pro) | not listed in the App Store |
| Windows PCs | no, Mac only | not stated |
Data from the official pages as of 6 October 2026; “not stated” means the official pages don’t mention it. All the alternatives side by side are on the Compare page.
When Screens is the better pick
- You need the Mac’s full desktop on an iPhone, iPad, Mac or Vision Pro.
- You help others through Screens Assist.
When Remolo is the better pick
- Access from any network without port forwarding and without an account (Pro).
- A clicker for talks, a media remote and your own buttons — things a remote desktop doesn’t do.
- A free trackpad, keyboard and clicker.
Questions
Does Remolo need macOS Screen Sharing?
No. Remolo Helper shows the screen and takes commands itself; there is no need to turn on Screen Sharing.
Which to pick to control a Mac mini from afar?
For quick control and checks, Remolo; for long work at the desktop, a remote desktop. Remolo step by step is in the guide on the Mac mini.
A month of Pro for those who wait
The iPhone and iPad app is coming soon to the App Store, and Remolo Helper for Mac is already available.