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: August 2026 • Verified for macOS Sequoia & iOS 18

Best Screens 5 Alternatives for Mac and iOS (2026)

Compare modern remote desktop and terminal tools that offer high speed, low latency, and fair pricing.

Download for Mac Download iOS App →

Overview

Screens 5 by Edovia is an elegant VNC client built for Apple devices. However, its shift to subscription pricing and inherent VNC protocol latency over mobile cellular data have led many users to seek faster WebRTC alternatives.

Why Look for an Alternative to Screens 5?

Shift to Subscription Pricing

Screens 5 moved to a subscription model ($2.99/mo or $24.99/yr) or a steep $79.99 lifetime tier, frustrating users looking for simple, accessible pricing.

VNC Latency Over Cellular Data

VNC was designed for local networks. When accessing your Mac over 4G/5G, VNC suffers from noticeable mouse lag and frame drops.

Lack of Native Command Line Mode

Screens renders your entire Mac display. There is no lightweight terminal-first mode for typing quick commands on a mobile screen.

Top Alternatives Compared

Macky

Jump Desktop

Fluid remote desktop client

Pricing$14.99 on iOS, $34.99 on macOS

Best for: Users who want high-framerate video and multi-monitor setups.

Pros

+Fluid protocol is much faster than standard VNC

+Support for external mice and game controllers on iPad

+No subscription requirement

Cons

-Separate app purchase on iOS and Mac

-No CLI/SSH terminal emulator interface

Tailscale + Native Screen Sharing

Secure mesh VPN with Apple VNC

PricingFree for up to 100 devices

Best for: Developers comfortable configuring network routing and VPNs.

Pros

+Uses native macOS screen sharing protocol

+End-to-end encrypted WireGuard mesh network

+Works across all your machines

Cons

-Requires running Tailscale VPN daemon on both devices

-No dedicated iOS screen sharing client (requires third-party VNC app)

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is WebRTC faster than Screens 5's VNC protocol?

VNC relies on continuous frame updates over TCP, which stalls when packets are dropped on mobile networks. Macky uses WebRTC (UDP with dynamic bitrate and SRTP encryption), resulting in smooth 60fps streaming and instant touch feedback even on fluctuating cellular data.

Try Macky Today

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

Download for Mac View Pricing