Kitsmith / Utilities / Screens 5: VNC Remote Desktop
Screens 5: VNC Remote Desktop
Free trial; then $3.99/mo or $29.99/yr subscription, or $179.99 lifetime
Price checked at source August 29, 2026.
A long-running, well-regarded VNC client for Mac, Windows, Linux, and Raspberry Pi — free trial, then $3.99/mo, $29.99/yr, or $179.99 lifetime.
Our take
One of the App Store’s longest-running VNC clients, from Edovia — reviewers who’ve used it for years single out Tailscale integration for hassle-free remote access without manual port forwarding, plus a Curtain Mode that blacks out the remote Mac’s display for privacy. It runs 4.5 stars across 531 ratings on its current App Store listing. One subscription or lifetime purchase covers Screens across iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Vision Pro together — there’s no separate cheaper Mac-only tier, which drew pushback from some Screens 4 owners when Screens 5 dropped the old per-platform pricing.
- Price
- Free trial; then $3.99/mo or $29.99/yr subscription, or $179.99 lifetime
- License
- Proprietary
- Requires
- macOS 14.0 or later on Mac (iOS/iPadOS 17.6+, visionOS 2.0+ on other devices); a VNC server such as UltraVNC or TightVNC is required to connect to a Windows PC.
- Get it via
- Mac App Store
- Developer
- Edovia Inc.
Do you use Screens 5: VNC Remote Desktop?
Who made this
Montreal, Canada
Edovia’s own “About” page credits founder Luc Vandal, who started the studio in Montreal in 2003 and was one of the first developers on the App Store at its 2008 launch — Screens has been Edovia’s flagship since. “We build the apps we want to use ourselves,” the page says, in the studio’s own words.
What it does
Tailscale integration
Connect over a Tailscale mesh network without manual router or port-forwarding setup.
Curtain Mode
Blacks out the display on the remote Mac during a session, so activity stays private on a shared screen.
Multi-monitor and file transfer
Select or view multiple remote displays, and drag-and-drop files between devices.
The deal
- Monthly subscription: $3.99/mo
- Yearly subscription: $29.99/yr
- Lifetime: $179.99 one-time, covers all Apple devices
Worth knowing: One subscription or lifetime purchase covers Screens on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Vision Pro together — there’s no cheaper Mac-only tier, and some Screens 4 owners flagged in App Store reviews that Screens 5 dropped the old per-platform purchase model.
Screens 5: VNC Remote Desktop — questions people ask
How much does Screens 5 cost?
A free trial is available; ongoing use is $3.99/mo, $29.99/yr, or $179.99 as a one-time lifetime purchase covering all Apple devices.
Who makes Screens?
Edovia Inc., which has published Screens across multiple major versions since 2010.
Can Screens connect to Windows or Linux?
Yes, via VNC — a VNC server such as UltraVNC or TightVNC needs to be running on the Windows or Linux side first.
Is Screens 5: VNC Remote Desktop free?
Screens 5: VNC Remote Desktop costs Free trial; then $3.99/mo or $29.99/yr subscription, or $179.99 lifetime.
Does Screens 5: VNC Remote Desktop work alongside a notch app like Alcove?
Yes — Screens 5: VNC Remote Desktop lives in the screen, so it runs happily alongside any Dynamic Island hub or notch app.
Where can I download Screens 5: VNC Remote Desktop?
Screens 5: VNC Remote Desktop is available via Mac App Store.
Reviews
No public ratings yet. Reader reviews are coming to Kitsmith soon.
Listing hand-verified August 29, 2026 from the developer's site and public sources.
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