TouchDeck
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TouchDeck vs BetterTouchTool

They solve different problems. BetterTouchTool is a deep Mac customisation tool for gestures, the trackpad, mouse, keyboard and windows, with a companion app that can act as a remote. TouchDeck is a ready-made control deck for your iPhone or iPad, with decks from your apps' menus that follow the app in front.

Try it free for 7 days Get the free Mac app

Side by side

TouchDeckBetterTouchTool
What it isA control deck on iPhone and iPad for your MacA Mac customisation and automation tool, with a remote app
Main focusKeys, dials, sliders and a jog wheel on your deviceGestures, trackpad, mouse, keyboard, windows and more
Per-app setupsBuilt in: the deck follows the app in frontApp-specific triggers you configure
Decks from an app's menusYes, from any Mac appNot that we could find
SetupPair with a code, then build a deck from an app in a tapVery flexible; you build each trigger and action
Price7-day trial, then monthly or one-time LifetimePaid Mac license, also in Setapp

What TouchDeck does differently

  • Automatic app switching, built in: the deck follows the app in front on your Mac with no rules to write
  • Decks from native Mac menus: pick any Mac app and TouchDeck reads the shortcuts from its menu bar and builds a deck (how it works)
  • Dials, sliders and a jog wheel alongside keys, with haptic clicks on iPhone
  • Local Wi-Fi only: your device talks straight to your Mac, encrypted end to end, after a four-digit pairing code
  • No account: nothing to sign up for; decks back up to your own iCloud
  • Layouts for each screen: iPhone, both screens of iPhone Duo, and every iPad size
TouchDeck on iPhone: keys with the icons of Mac apps, and Brightness and Volume dials

When BetterTouchTool is the better pick

  • You want to customise trackpad gestures, the mouse, keyboard or window snapping
  • You enjoy building detailed automations yourself
  • You already own a license and only need occasional remote buttons

Questions

Can I use both together?

Yes. Many people use BetterTouchTool for gestures and windows, and TouchDeck as a deck of keys and dials on their iPhone or iPad.

Can TouchDeck trigger BetterTouchTool actions?

Yes, through keyboard shortcuts: give a BetterTouchTool action a shortcut and put it on a TouchDeck key.

Which is quicker to start with?

TouchDeck: pair once, then choose an app and get a deck of its shortcuts. BetterTouchTool rewards time spent configuring it.

What does TouchDeck cost?

Free for 7 days, then $3.99 a month or $79.99 once for Lifetime (₹199 or ₹3,999 in India). One plan covers all your iPhones and iPads. The Mac app is free.

Related

BetterTouchTool is a trademark of folivora.AI GmbH. TouchDeck is not affiliated with BetterTouchTool. Details about other apps are from their public store listings and help pages as of November 2026 and may have changed; check their sites for current features and prices.