Beam vs Developer Tools
Beam and Developer Tools are both developer tools tools. Beam is aimed at developers and creators, while Developer Tools is aimed at freelancers and small businesses. Both have a free plan.
Beam
Open individual windows from one Mac as native windows on another
Developer Tools
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| Pricing | Freemium · $12 | Free |
| Starting price | $12/mo | Not published |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Built for | Developers, Creators, Freelancers, Small businesses | Freelancers, Small businesses, Developers |
| Platforms | macos | web, ios, android, macos, windows, linux |
| Country | — | TR · 2015 |
| Rating | — | — |
Choose Beam if
Developers and creators with two Apple silicon Macs who want a remote app to behave like a local window instead of a full screen share.
- Uses one remote app without taking over the whole desktop
- Window traffic goes directly between your Macs, not through Beam's servers
- Free plan has no card requirement and no limit on host Macs
Look elsewhere if: People who need to reach Windows or Intel machines or control a whole remote desktop across platforms (Jump Desktop, Parsec).
Choose Developer Tools if
Beam vs Developer Tools pricing
Beam
- Free$0Host unlimited Macs, join share links, 20 minutes a day of use
- Monthly$12/moUnlimited use on every Mac you own, send share links
- Yearly$84/yrSame as Monthly; works out to $7/mo billed annually
- Lifetime$199One-time payment, all future updates, direct connections
- Team$12/seat/moOr $84/seat/yr; 20% off from 10 seats, one invoice
Developer Tools
Beam · Key features
- Single windows from another Mac open as native windows with Dock and Command-Tab entries
- Beam several windows at once or share an entire display
- Direct typing, shortcuts, two-way resizing, app audio and clipboard sync
- Works with headless Mac minis and Mac Studios that have no display
- Encrypted Mac-to-Mac connection on local Wi-Fi or over Tailscale
- Guest share links open one window in any browser, view-only by default
Cons
- macOS only, with Apple silicon and Sonoma or later required on both Macs
- Free use is capped at 20 minutes a day
- Devices without the Mac app, such as phones, only get browser links
Developer Tools · Key features
Beam vs Developer Tools: FAQ
Do Beam and Developer Tools have a free plan?
Yes, both Beam and Developer Tools have a free plan; paid plans add more usage and features.