The 5 Must-Have Mac Screen-Sharing Apps of 2024: Expert Picks

In today’s hyperconnected world, collaborating across devices is crucial, where screen-sharing apps are considered a cornerstone. Mac computers come equipped with basic screen-sharing functions, but they fall short when meeting the complex needs of the corporate world. 

This is precisely where third-party Mac screen-sharing apps come into play and address the limitations of built-in solutions by offering enhanced functionality. If you need to cater to specific workflows, read this guide and access some leading screen-sharing apps for Mac.      

Part 1. What Qualities Should You Look Into a macOS Screen Sharing App?

Before exploring every aspect of a macOS screen-sharing app, you must learn the features and qualities of a good screen mirroring platform, discussed below. This analysis would be great for streamlining collaboration on a reliable platform instead of wasting time on the wrong one that interrupts sessions.

• Screen Sharing Options: First, a good screen-sharing platform must have various options where users can choose whether to share an entire screen or a specific window or application. Also, they can adjust the screen quality and resolution to ensure everyone gets a clear screen preview.
• Control Sharing: Apart from screen sharing options, an application should provide you with complete control over the sharing session. There, you must have the right to allow viewers to share their screens and take temporary control for collaboration or editing.
• Recording: It’s a must-have feature of screen-sharing platforms where users can record their on-screen activities for future reference. In this regard, you can check if the platform provides a preview of the recording and where it saves the recording footage.
• Ease and Security: People are very concerned about the security of screen-sharing sessions for confidential data sharing. Therefore, well-designed Mac screen-sharing applications are end-to-end encrypted and easy for all users. 
• File Transfer: As the screen-sharing sessions facilitate collaboration, a good app must offer file-sharing features to boost collaboration. It is essential when people share their screens, and for real-time editing, they need to share files with the meeting participants.  

Part 2. Discover the 5 Leading Screen Sharing Apps for Mac: Comprehensive Overview 

Different macOS screen-sharing apps excel in different aspects to cater to specific needs. Some excel in user-friendliness, and some prioritize robust security features. By exploring the 5 top-rated screen-sharing applications for Mac, you will understand what each app offers and what you need.  

1. Avica Remote Desktop

The first name in Mac screen-sharing apps is the Avica remote desktop app, which is known for its robust security. In this context, it has comprehensive end-to-end AES-256 encryption that keeps your session secure and prevents unauthorized access or other data breaches. Moreover, Avica provides a screen resolution adjustment feature that lets you set the image quality and responsiveness with various options.

This Mac screen-sharing application offers exceptional performance with its user-friendly design and operates 100 times faster than HTTP/FTP due to the patented high-speed protocols. Besides, Avica lets users adjust their screen color, framerates, and display, which means you can gain complete control over sessions.

Compatibility: Mac, Android, iOS, Windows, Web

Key Features 

• File Transfer: Avica lets you share files across devices during the remote session, which is crucial for sharing important files with trusted devices. For this purpose, individuals can use the dedicated file share option or simply drag-drop files, images, or videos from one device to another. 
• Gamepad: This software isn’t just a screen-sharing app; it’s a complete remote desktop software allowing you to control another device remotely. Thus, you can control up to 4 game controllers simultaneously in the remote sessions as if you are playing in real time.
• Digitizer: Beyond screen sharing, this app aims to eliminate the distance between devices and makes you feel like you are physically operating the device. Its digitizer supports an external graphics tablet, which increases remote response to pressure and is suitable for high-end tasks, such as video editing and software testing.
• Screen Recording: Being the best screen-sharing app for Mac, this platform lets you capture the on-screen activities with a screen recording feature. Using this feature, you can start, pause, and stop recording to ensure only the important moments can be captured for later use.

Pros

• Avica offers an extensive range of features for collaboration and communication in remote work.
• Apart from security, it offers privacy with a feature that renders the screen black and mutes speakers to prevent others from knowing about your confidential on-screen processes.
• For collaboration, it also provides group monitoring and virtual screen options that streamline productivity.

Con

• It only supports 30fps in the free plan, which you can increase to 144fps by buying the pro plan.

You can easily download Avica software by clicking the button provided below. For more detailed information regarding Avica App downloads, please visit the official Avica download page. It is important to note that Avica ensures the safety and virus-free nature of all products available on its official website or app store. Feel confident in downloading Avica from these trusted sources.

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2. Native Screen Sharing App for Mac

As mentioned earlier, the Mac operating system has built-in screen-sharing capabilities, which can also help you control another Mac screen over a network. According to different macOS versions, there are different steps to operating screen sharing, and a slight change occurs in functionalities as well. Overall, it has various options for an immersive screen-sharing experience that continues to evolve for bug fixes.

Compatibility: Mac

Key Features 

• There comes a binocular icon that lets you switch to the observer mode and an arrow pointer to return to the control mode for controlling the remote Mac.
• If your Mac is connected to a slower network, you can use the adaptive quality option to adjust the screen quality based on the network speed.
• This macOS screen-sharing app allows you to move files back and forth between the Mac device by just a drag-drop, but this feature is bound to the latest macOS versions.

Pros 

• During screen sharing, users can resize their windows and see the remote screens in normal size.
• It offers dedicated screenshot control, as the default feature wouldn’t work in remote sessions.

Con

• When controlling the Mac, you may face slower and jittery sessions when the internet slows down.

3. Zoom

In the realm of communication services, Zoom is a popular video conferencing app after the COVID-19 pandemic. Every remote workplace knows this Mac screen-sharing application and its fruitfulness in virtual meetings. Through this software, users can share their entire desktop screens, specific tabs, applications, and windows to keep other information on the device private.

Compatibility: Android, Windows, macOS, iOS, Linux, Web

Key Features 

• It suppresses noise when users turn on their mikes and offers best-in-class audio to streamline collaboration.
• To improve global collaboration, this application creates multi-language captioning and translations for everyone to access content.
• Zoom has various interactive tools, such as a whiteboard, to engage the meeting participants and brainstorm ideas freely.

Pros 

• Zoom Pro offers AI companions that respond to users’ queries and provide summaries.
• This platform lets the host share the screen for free with 100 meeting participants for up to 40 minutes.

Con

• Some users report that Zoom lacks customer support, while others report video and audio lags.

4. FaceTime Call

FaceTime is a videotelephony product of Apple that connects people all around the world over audio and video calls. While discussing stuff over video calls, one can share their screen to show photos and videos and browse the web to help each other in the call. Furthermore, group call participants can even watch movies together and listen to music with the SharePlay feature in this Mac screen-sharing app. 

Compatibility: Apple Devices

Key Features 

• During a FaceTime call, you can add full-screen video effects and reactions, such as hearts and fireworks.
• Using its portrait mode, you can turn your background blur to hide the messy background and ensure that the visual focus is on you.
• If you use the Apple Silicon MacBook, you can enable live captions on a FaceTime call and see the transcribed conversations on the screen.

Pros 

• Instead of directly calling someone on FaceTime, you can simply share the link with others.
• If someone isn’t answering your calls, you can leave them an audio or video message.

Con

• Video calls can have technical issues like background noises, black screens, delays, and dropped calls.

5. AirPlay

If you wish to display content from your Mac screen to a bigger one, AirPlay is the best Mac screen-sharing app for an immersive viewing experience. Using it, one can wirelessly stream music, videos, and photos from their Mac screens to Apple TV and smart TVs, but within the same Wi-Fi connection. Notably, different software versions of MacBooks will lead you towards different steps to use AirPlay.

Compatibility: iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, Android TV from LG, Samsung, Sony

Key Features 

• After starting screen sharing, you can hide the playback controls of the content by moving the pointer over the viewing area.
• Users can enable or disable the closed captioning and subtitles while playing a movie on the Smart TV/Apple TV.
• You can turn on picture-in-picture viewing and play items on Apple TV with resizable small viewers that let you complete other tasks on your Mac.

Pros 

• AirPlay lets you decide whether you need to extend the display of your Mac or start screen mirroring.
• If you need big-band sound for music streaming, AirPlay can help you connect with speakers. 

Con

• This software is useless if you need remote collaboration because it works under the same network.

Part 3. How to Share Screen of Mac with Another Device Through Avica App 

The apps, as mentioned earlier, are good in certain aspects but show inadequacy in others. However, if you have studied Avica remote desktop software in-depth, you will realize that it has leading speed, security, and accessibility to all operating systems.

Unlike other macOS screen-sharing apps, this one also offers simple operations regardless of your device, which you can witness through the following steps. Here, you can learn how to share your Mac screen with other Windows PCs through Avica’s intuitive interface.

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Step 1: Get Avica ID and Password to Connect Both Devices

Access the main interface of Avica after launching its latest version and signing in with credentials. Then, turn on the “Allow Remote Access to This Device via Your Credentials” option from your Mac’s Avica. This way, you will access “Avica ID” and “Password” to head towards your local PC for screen-sharing session initiation.

Step 2: Use Credentials to Connect and Begin Screen Sharing from Mac

On your local PC, navigate to the “Remote Session” section and insert the “Avica ID” to press the “Connect” button. Afterward, you will be directed to another pop-up menu requiring your Mac’s Avica password. There, enter the “Password” to click the “Connect” button and start seeing the Mac screen, where you can also control it as desired.

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Conclusion

In essence, screen sharing has become a necessity of this inter-connected world, but the invention of countless apps confuses potential users. That’s why this guide has discussed the top-tier Mac screen-sharing applications with comprehensive details.

If you have ever gone through the selection process, you must consider Avica's remote desktop because of its efficacy in remote communication. Besides, its speed, security, limitless features, remote control, and various customization options made it a leading software beyond screen sharing.