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DeskPad alternatives: 4 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Nov 1, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave DeskPad: macOS only, and does one job; no brightness, scaling or mirroring tools. We ranked 4 alternatives by how directly each one replaces DeskPad, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. BetterDisplay currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Duet logoDuetPaidNomacOS, Windows, iOS +15 of 552.2
2OBS Studio logoOBS StudioOpen sourceYesWindows, macOS, Linux5 of 551.2
3Deskreen logoDeskreenOpen sourceYesWindows, macOS, Linux4 of 450.3
  1. Duet logo

    1. DuetTop pick

    Best for: People who want a tablet or spare laptop as a second screen across Mac, Windows, iOS and Android

    PaidmacOS, Windows, iOS, Android

    52.2

    score / 100

    Why switch from DeskPad

    Turns an iPad or another device into a real second screen rather than a window on the same one.

    Pros

    • Works across Mac, Windows, iOS and Android in any combination
    • Second display, drawing tablet and remote access in one app
    • Keyboard and mouse sharing between two computers
    • End-to-end encrypted remote connections

    Cons

    • Subscription-based, with features split across plans
    • No Linux version
    • Pricing isn't listed on a plain page of its website
    Visit Duet Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.352
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Duet a good DeskPad alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Platforms
    Mac, Windows, iOS, Android
    Checked Nov 1, 2026duetdisplay.com(opens source in a new tab)
    End-to-end encryption
    256-bit
    Checked Nov 1, 2026duetdisplay.com(opens source in a new tab)
    System requirements
    macOS 11 or later, Windows 10 or later
    Checked Nov 1, 2026duetdisplay.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Hardware needed
    None, software only
    Checked Nov 1, 2026duetdisplay.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Privacy mode
    Yes
    Checked Nov 1, 2026duetdisplay.com(opens source in a new tab)
  2. OBS Studio logo

    2. OBS Studio

    Best for: Streamers and creators who want a free, flexible recorder and are willing to learn it

    Open sourceWindows, macOS, Linux

    51.2

    score / 100

    Why switch from DeskPad

    Can capture a chosen screen region and send it to calls as a virtual camera.

    Pros

    • Completely free with no watermark or time limits
    • Scene and source system handles complex multi-camera setups
    • Large plugin ecosystem and active community

    Cons

    • Steep learning curve for a quick screen capture
    • No built-in editor or link sharing
    • Settings for encoders and bitrates can confuse beginners
    Visit OBS Studio Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.341
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is OBS Studio a good DeskPad alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    License
    GPL-2.0
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Open source
    Yes, free for recording and streaming
    Checked Oct 29, 2026obsproject.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Windows support
    Windows 10 and 11
    Checked Oct 29, 2026obsproject.com(opens source in a new tab)
    macOS support
    macOS 13 or newer
    Checked Oct 29, 2026obsproject.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Linux distribution
    Flatpak on Flathub and Ubuntu PPA
    Checked Oct 25, 2026obsproject.com(opens source in a new tab)
  3. Deskreen logo

    3. Deskreen

    Best for: Anyone who wants to reuse an old tablet or phone as an extra screen for free

    Open sourceWindows, macOS, Linux

    50.3

    score / 100

    Why switch from DeskPad

    Free and open source; shows a virtual or real screen in any device's browser over Wi-Fi.

    Pros

    • Free and open source on Windows, macOS and Linux
    • Second device only needs a web browser
    • Share the whole screen or a single window to many devices

    Cons

    • True extended display needs a virtual display adapter
    • Streams over the network, so quality depends on your Wi-Fi
    • No pen pressure or drawing-tablet features
    Visit Deskreen Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.346
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Deskreen a good DeskPad alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    License
    AGPL-3.0
    Checked Nov 1, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Windows, macOS, Linux
    Checked Nov 1, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Encryption
    End-to-end
    Checked Nov 1, 2026deskreen.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Multiple devices
    Yes
    Checked Nov 1, 2026deskreen.com(opens source in a new tab)

The best DeskPad alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

BetterDisplay logo

Best DeskPad alternative for most people

BetterDisplay

Also creates virtual screens, plus scaling, brightness and HiDPI controls for real monitors.

OBS Studio logo

Best DeskPad alternative for a free option

OBS Studio

Can capture a chosen screen region and send it to calls as a virtual camera.

BetterDisplay logo

Best DeskPad alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

BetterDisplay

Also creates virtual screens, plus scaling, brightness and HiDPI controls for real monitors.

Deskreen logo

Best DeskPad alternative for open source

Deskreen

Free and open source; shows a virtual or real screen in any device's browser over Wi-Fi.

Duet logo

Best DeskPad alternative for Mac

Duet

Turns an iPad or another device into a real second screen rather than a window on the same one.

Duet logo

Best DeskPad alternative for Windows

Duet

Turns an iPad or another device into a real second screen rather than a window on the same one.

OBS Studio logo

Best DeskPad alternative for Linux

OBS Studio

Can capture a chosen screen region and send it to calls as a virtual camera.

Duet logo

Best DeskPad alternative for iPhone and Android

Duet

Turns an iPad or another device into a real second screen rather than a window on the same one.

DeskPad alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to DeskPad?

BetterDisplay ranks first right now. Also creates virtual screens, plus scaling, brightness and HiDPI controls for real monitors. Duet and OBS Studio follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to DeskPad?

Yes. BetterDisplay (free plan + paid), OBS Studio (open source) and Deskreen (open source) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to DeskPad?

Yes: OBS Studio and Deskreen.

Which DeskPad alternatives work on Linux?

OBS Studio and Deskreen run on Linux.

Why do people switch from DeskPad?

The complaints we hear most: macOS only; does one job; no brightness, scaling or mirroring tools; small project with infrequent updates.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces DeskPad, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.