Compare
Kite vs Duet Display
Duet Display runs on Mac, Windows and Android, with plans from $39.99 to $79.99 a year. Kite does one thing, iPad to Mac, for a single payment, with Pencil pressure and away-from-home use included.
| Feature | Kite | Duet Display |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $9.99 once Mac app free | $39.99–$79.99 a year |
| Use it away from home | Yes, with Tailscale | Duet Air plan |
| iPad on a different Apple Account | Yes | Yes |
| Sign-up needed | None for Kite Wi-Fi uses a free Tailscale account | Duet account |
| Ways to connect | USB-C · Wi-Fi · Tailscale | Wi-Fi · USB |
| Apple Pencil pressure | Yes, included | Pro plan |
| iPad camera as Mac webcam | Yes | No |
| Encrypted on your Wi-Fi | Yes, new key every session | Yes, per Duet |
From each product's own website, support pages and App Store listing, checked October 10, 2026. “?” means the product doesn't say. Prices change; check before you buy.
Sources: duetdisplay.com · App Store
Where Kite is ahead
- Pay once. No yearly plan and nothing to cancel.
- No account and no license server. Kite keeps working even if our website is down.
- Apple Pencil pressure and away-from-home use are included, not separate tiers.
- Your iPad's camera works as a Mac webcam.
Where Duet Display is ahead
- Runs on Windows and Android as well as Mac and iPad.
- Remote desktop, screen mirroring and keyboard-and-mouse sharing in the same app.
- A larger company with a long track record and a help center.
Which one should you pick?
If you need Windows or Android, Duet is the one that covers them. If you only use a Mac and an iPad, Kite gives you the same core features, plus the camera, without a yearly bill.