A Duet Display alternative you pay for once
Duet Display is sold as a subscription. SpareScreen costs $7.99 once, with no renewal, and the tablet doesn't need any app: it just opens a link in its browser.
Install on your Mac: paste this into Terminal
Click to copy. Uses Homebrew, a free and widely trusted installer for Mac apps. 7 days free, then $7.99 once.
SpareScreen vs Duet Display
| SpareScreen | Duet Display | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $7.99 once | Yearly subscription (about $49.99/year for wireless, per the App Store) |
| App on the tablet | None, just a browser | Duet app required |
| Devices | Any iPad, Android tablet, phone or laptop | iPad, Android, Mac, PC with the app |
| Free trial | 7 days, everything included | Limited free tier |
Duet's prices checked in October 2026 from the App Store; check duetdisplay.com for current plans.
How to switch
- Install SpareScreen on your Mac with the line above. It opens in the menu bar.
- Allow Screen Recording when macOS asks. That lets SpareScreen show the extra screen on your tablet.
- Open the link in its browser. Click SpareScreen in the menu bar to see the link and its QR code, then open it on the tablet. Both need to be on the same Wi-Fi.
- Click Allow on the Mac. An extra screen appears, shaped exactly like your tablet. Drag windows onto it like any monitor.
Good to know
- Moving from Duet? You can uninstall Duet's app from the tablet; SpareScreen doesn't need it.
- No USB mode: SpareScreen works over Wi-Fi only, so use 5 GHz Wi-Fi for the smoothest picture.
- Touch control is optional. Turn it on in the SpareScreen menu (it asks for Accessibility permission) to tap, drag, right-click and scroll on the device. Typing still happens on the Mac.
- Everyday work feels instant. Video and fast scrolling are heavier and can stutter on slow Wi-Fi; 5 GHz Wi-Fi helps.
- Streaming services stay black. Netflix, Prime Video and Disney+ block screen capture in every app like this.
- Use Wi-Fi you trust. The picture travels over your local network, never through the internet.
Questions
Is there a Duet Display alternative without a subscription?
Yes. SpareScreen is a one-time purchase: $7.99 once, free for the first 7 days.
Do I need to install anything on the tablet?
No. Unlike Duet, the tablet only opens a link in its web browser.
What does SpareScreen cost?
It's free for 7 days, then $7.99 once. It's a one-time purchase with no subscription, and one key works on up to 3 Macs.
Which Macs does it work on?
Any Mac running macOS 13 Ventura or later, with Apple Silicon or Intel.
More guides
Last updated October 2026.