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Deskreen

Turn any browser-enabled device into a wireless second screen

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  • Overview
  • Features
  • Pricing
  • Pros
  • Cons
  • Reviews

Deskreen Overview

  • Updated March 6, 2026

Deskreen is an open-source desktop application that lets you use any device with a web browser as a secondary screen for your computer.

It works across Windows, macOS, and Linux, enabling screen mirroring, app-only sharing, and teleprompter modes over local Wi‑Fi. Deskreen focuses on simplicity, offline usability, and secure end‑to‑end encrypted screen sharing.

Key Features

  • Second Screen via Browser: Use any device with a web browser as a secondary or mirrored display.
  • App-Only Screen Sharing: Share a single application window instead of your full desktop.
  • Teleprompter Mode: Flip screen horizontally for reading scripts while looking at the camera.
  • Offline Wi‑Fi Sharing: Works without internet using only a local wireless network.
  • End-to-End Encryption: Screen streams are protected using industry-standard encryption.
  • Cross-Platform Support: Runs consistently on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Price

Plan Price Featured
Free (Open Source) $0 (Free) Unlimited device connections, Screen & app sharing, End-to-end encryption
Deskreen Pro $2.99/mo (Billed Monthly) / $24.99/yr (Billed Annually) Priority updates, Support project development, Pro-only enhancements
Deskreen Teams $14.99/mo per user (Billed Monthly) / $139.99/yr per user (Billed Annually) Team usage rights, Shared workflows, Includes all Pro features

Price details: https://deskreen.com/download/

Pros

Competitor

Pros
Duet Display Compared to Duet Display, Deskreen is significantly cheaper and offers a free open-source option. It avoids subscription lock-in while remaining easy to set up using just a browser. For basic second-screen and presentation use cases, Deskreen delivers strong functionality without requiring proprietary client apps on mobile devices.
Splashtop Wired XDisplay Deskreen offers more flexibility than Splashtop Wired XDisplay by supporting wireless, offline, and browser-based connections. Users are not limited to USB cables or specific device apps, making Deskreen easier to adapt for mixed-device environments and quick presentations.
Air Display Unlike Air Display, Deskreen is fully cross-platform and free at its core. It supports Linux natively and does not require paid licenses to unlock basic features, making it more accessible for developers and users with diverse operating systems.
Sidecar (Apple) Deskreen works on older hardware and non-Apple devices, whereas Sidecar is limited to newer Apple ecosystems. It provides similar second-screen functionality without forcing hardware upgrades or ecosystem lock-in.
VNC-based Tools Compared to traditional VNC tools, Deskreen is simpler to use and optimized for screen extension and presentations. It avoids complex network configuration and focuses on quick, secure screen sharing through modern web technologies.

Cons

Competitor

Cons
Duet Display Compared to Duet Display, Deskreen may offer lower performance and higher latency for graphic-intensive workflows. Duet’s native clients and wired options can deliver smoother frame rates, which is important for design or animation tasks.
Splashtop Wired XDisplay Splashtop Wired XDisplay can provide more stable performance due to USB connections, while Deskreen relies on Wi‑Fi quality. In congested networks, Deskreen users may experience lag or reduced video quality.
Air Display Air Display offers more polished commercial support and documentation. Deskreen’s open-source nature means users may need to rely more on community forums and self-troubleshooting for advanced issues.
Sidecar (Apple) Sidecar delivers tighter OS-level integration and smoother gestures on Apple devices. Deskreen cannot match this native experience and requires additional setup, such as virtual display adapters, for true extended desktops.
VNC-based Tools Some VNC tools offer broader remote control and administration features. Deskreen is more focused on screen sharing and extension, making it less suitable for full remote desktop management scenarios.

Verified Customer Reviews

  • Reddit r/linux: The creator explained that Deskreen grew out of frustration with Apple’s “Sidecar” requiring a newer iPad and the lack of a single free solution that worked the same across Windows, Mac, and Linux. The post highlights using an old tablet or phone as a second monitor through a browser, multiple simultaneous screen sharing sessions, adjustable picture quality for smoother YouTube playback, and end-to-end encryption.
  • ycombinator.com Review: Commenters questioned the claim that it works with “any device,” pointing to requirements like 210MB of disk space, around 250MB of RAM per session, and a modern dual-core CPU. One reply noted that older iPads and outdated browsers lack WebRTC support, which currently limits Deskreen on very old hardware.
  • howtogeek.com Review: The article frames Deskreen as a practical way to turn an old tablet or phone into a wireless second or third monitor by scanning a QR code and using the device’s browser. It credits WebRTC for reducing latency compared to VNC and mentions features like limiting the view to a single app window, supporting multiple extra screens, and adding end-to-end encryption, while noting the need for an inexpensive HDMI “Dummy Plug” to unlock full second-screen functionality.