Macky is a secure mobile client that lets you connect to your Mac's screen and terminal from your iPhone using end-to-end encrypted WebRTC. It supports native shell (Zsh, Bash), Claude Code by Anthropic, Codex by OpenAI, and full remote desktop.

How does Macky connect my iPhone to my Mac?

Macky uses peer-to-peer WebRTC with DTLS-SRTP encryption. A signaling server coordinates the initial handshake, but all screen and terminal data flows directly between your devices without passing through any cloud server.

Yes. Macky uses four layers of security: E2E encrypted WebRTC transport, dual-layer identity verification (account tokens plus a master password), device allow-listing, and blind signaling where screen and terminal data never touches Macky's servers.

Does Macky log my terminal commands?

No. Macky has a zero-logs policy. Terminal commands, output, and screen data are never recorded, stored, or accessible by Macky's servers. All data is end-to-end encrypted between your devices.

What AI tools does Macky support?

Macky supports Claude Code (by Anthropic) and Codex (by OpenAI) in addition to native Zsh and Bash shells and full remote desktop, all accessible from your iPhone.

What are the system requirements for Macky?

The Mac host app requires macOS 15 or later. The iPhone remote app requires iOS 18 or later.

How much does Macky cost?

Macky offers a free Basic plan with 5-minute sessions, 1 Mac host, and 1 iPhone remote. The Pro plan costs $29 as a one-time lifetime payment and includes unlimited sessions, unlimited devices, 30-day connection logs, and background connect.

← All Alternatives•Last updated: July 2026 • Verified for macOS Sequoia & iOS 18

Best Jump Desktop Alternatives for Mac (2026)

Fast, modern remote access tools for Mac and iPhone that replace manual port forwarding and legacy desktop clients.

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Overview

Jump Desktop is known for its proprietary Fluid protocol and multi-platform support. However, users frequently look for alternatives due to separate Mac and iOS client pricing, lack of native terminal integration, and manual configuration requirements for complex networks.

Why Look for an Alternative to Jump Desktop?

Separate Purchases Per Platform

Jump Desktop charges $14.99 on iOS and $34.99 on macOS separately. If you switch devices or need access on multiple platforms, the upfront cost stacks up quickly.

No First-Class Terminal Experience

Jump Desktop is strictly a screen-mirroring tool. When you only need to run commands, check server status, or monitor an AI agent, rendering full video pixels wastes battery and mobile bandwidth.

Setup Friction Behind Strict Firewalls

While Fluid handles basic NAT traversal, corporate firewalls and Carrier-Grade NAT (CGNAT) connections can cause dropped sessions or relay slowdowns.

Top Alternatives Compared

Macky

Screens 5

Polished Apple-native VNC client

Pricing$2.99/mo, $24.99/yr, or $79.99 lifetime

Best for: Users who want seamless Tailscale integration and traditional full-screen desktop VNC.

Pros

+Deep macOS and iOS integration with Curtain Mode

+Supports Tailscale authentication out of the box

+Smooth trackpad gesture simulation

Cons

-VNC protocol introduces latency over mobile cellular connections

-Expensive subscription or one-time lifetime fee

-No native CLI terminal mode

AnyDesk

Cross-platform remote desktop utility

Pricing$14.90/mo to $79.90/mo billed annually

Best for: Cross-platform enterprise remote support.

Pros

+Runs on macOS, Windows, Linux, Android, and iOS

+Fast proprietary DeskRT video codec

+Built-in file transfer manager

Cons

-Strict commercial use popups on free tiers

-Heavy battery consumption on iPhone

-High subscription pricing for solo developers

RustDesk

Open-source remote desktop with self-hosting

PricingFree open-source (self-hosted) or paid cloud relay

Best for: Self-hosters wanting total infrastructure control.

Pros

+Complete control over your signaling and relay servers

+Open-source codebase with no vendor lock-in

+Cross-platform support

Cons

-Requires maintaining your own VPS and rendezvous server for reliability

-Mobile touch controls can feel clunky on small phone screens

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Macky a better alternative to Jump Desktop for developers?

Macky provides both full remote screen control and a dedicated native terminal stream. Instead of streaming heavy 60fps video just to run git or check a Docker container, Macky streams lightweight terminal bytes with zero latency over encrypted WebRTC.

Does Macky require port forwarding like VNC or RDP?

No. Macky uses WebRTC with automated ICE, STUN, and TURN protocols to bypass Carrier-Grade NAT, firewalls, and mobile carrier restrictions without any router configuration.

Try Macky Today

Connect your iPhone to your Mac over zero-config WebRTC with instant terminal and screen sharing.

Download for Mac View Pricing