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Kite vs Lightspan
Lightspan and Kite are both one-time purchases that pair across Apple Accounts. Lightspan plays your Mac's sound on the iPad. Kite adds Apple Pencil pressure, use away from home, and the iPad camera.
| Feature | Kite | Lightspan |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $9.99 once Mac app free | €9.99 once |
| Use it away from home | Yes, with Tailscale | No. Same network |
| iPad on a different Apple Account | Yes | Yes |
| Sign-up needed | None for Kite Wi-Fi uses a free Tailscale account | None |
| Ways to connect | USB-C · Wi-Fi · Tailscale | Wi-Fi · USB-C |
| Apple Pencil pressure | Yes, included | No |
| iPad camera as Mac webcam | Yes | No |
| Encrypted on your Wi-Fi | Yes, new key every session | Yes (TLS) |
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: lightspan.app · Lightspan download · Lightspan privacy
Where Kite is ahead
- Apple Pencil pressure, tilt and hover.
- Works away from home over Tailscale.
- Your iPad's camera works as a Mac webcam.
- A sidebar with modifier keys, undo and redo, and pinch to zoom.
Where Lightspan is ahead
- Plays your Mac's audio on the iPad. Kite doesn't yet.
- Supports older systems: macOS 14.2 and iPadOS 16 or later.
- Family Sharing for the iPad app.
Which one should you pick?
If you need the Mac's sound on the iPad or run older systems, Lightspan fits. If you draw, or want to use your Mac from outside the house, choose Kite.