Screens 5 vs Jump Desktop
Written by the people who make Peering, so read it knowing that. Researched September 2026 from each product's own pages.
Side by side
| Screens 5 | Jump Desktop | |
|---|---|---|
| Protocol | VNC | Fluid, its own protocol, plus RDP and VNC |
| Reaches | Mac, Windows, Linux, anything with VNC | Mac and Windows |
| Computer's sound | No | Yes |
| Control from | iPhone, iPad, Mac, Vision Pro | iPhone, iPad, Mac, Windows, Android |
| Price, personal | $3.99/mo, $29.99/yr, $179.99 once | $14.99 iOS app, one-time |
| Away from home | Screens Connect, or a VPN | Jump Desktop Connect |
Prices are what each developer listed in September 2026, in US dollars. Check their sites before you buy.
Where Jump Desktop is the better fit
You want sound, high frame rates, or to reach Windows with a protocol made for it. It is also the cheaper route over time, since the iOS app is a one-time purchase.
Where Screens is the better fit
You want the most polished Apple-native VNC client, you need Linux, or you want Curtain Mode and temporary assistance sessions for helping others.
If you only have Macs
Both of these are built to reach everything. If the other end is always a Mac, Peering does less and costs less to start: no account, the Mac's sound, and free on your own network with no time limit. Away from home it gives 30 minutes a day free, and $2.99 a month or $24.99 once for unlimited.
Common questions
Is Screens 5 or Jump Desktop better?
Jump Desktop carries the computer's sound, has its own high frame rate protocol and is a one-time purchase per platform. Screens is a polished VNC client with Curtain Mode and reaches anything that runs VNC. For a mixed setup of Mac and Windows, Jump Desktop is usually the stronger fit.
Does Screens 5 support audio?
Screens' own documentation says it does not carry computer sound, because it works over VNC.
Does Jump Desktop work on iPhone?
Yes. Jump Desktop has an iPhone and iPad app, sold as a one-time purchase.