Beam vs NotchNook Pro
Beam and NotchNook Pro are both personal productivity tools. Beam is aimed at developers and creators, while NotchNook Pro is aimed at developers. Only Beam has a free plan.
Beam
Open individual windows from one Mac as native windows on another
NotchNook Pro
The original notch app for Mac, taken to the next level.
| Pricing | Freemium · $12 | Paid |
| Starting price | $12/mo | Not published |
| Free plan | Yes | No |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Built for | Developers, Creators, Freelancers, Small businesses | Developers |
| Platforms | macos | macos |
| Country | — | — |
| 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 NotchNook Pro if
Beam vs NotchNook Pro 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
NotchNook Pro
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
NotchNook Pro · Key features
Beam vs NotchNook Pro: FAQ
Do Beam and NotchNook Pro have a free plan?
Beam has a free plan. NotchNook Pro has no free plan.
Which is better for small businesses, Beam or NotchNook Pro?
Beam lists small businesses as a core audience, while NotchNook Pro is aimed more at developers.