Why carry another screen?
You already own the best one.
How Tactile compares directly against physical macro pads like Elgato Stream Deck, cloud-reliant VNC tools, and Apple Sidecar.
Engineered for simplicity. How Tactile compares.
Why buy a separate $150 plastic macro pad when the most advanced OLED display is already in your pocket?
| Feature | TactileBest Value | Hardware Deck | VNC / Remote | Apple Sidecar |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hardware Cost | Free / Existing Phone | $150 — $250 | Free to $20/mo | $499+ (Requires iPad) |
| Responsiveness | Real-time 60-120 FPS | Static LCD buttons | Noticeable cloud lag | Standard refresh |
| Android & iPhone Universal | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Contextual App Macros | Yes | Manual Profiles Only | No | No |
| Model Context Protocol (MCP) | Yes | No | No | No |
| Universal 2-Way Clipboard | Yes | No | Unreliable | Apple ID only |
| Extra Hardware on Desk | 0g (Pocket device) | Bulky hardware box | 0g | Large iPad footprint |
Sub-15ms Direct Hardware Pipeline
Unlike traditional VNC or browser streaming tools that run through web sockets and remote relays, Tactile streams peer-to-peer over local USB-C or Wi-Fi with Apple Silicon HEVC hardware acceleration.
Zero Cloud, Zero Logins
Your screen frames and macro keystrokes never touch a cloud server. Everything stays 100% on your local desk with end-to-end encrypted transport. Works offline, on airplanes, and in air-gapped rooms.
Universal iPhone & Android Support
Apple Sidecar requires a $499+ iPad and ties you into iCloud. Tactile works seamlessly with any iPhone or Android phone you already keep on your desk beside your Mac keyboard.
Experience your Mac’s missing companion.
Free to try · macOS Sequoia 14.3+ (Apple Silicon & Intel) · iPhone & Android