Beam vs Sidecar
Updated October 2026 · 5 min read
At your desk, or somewhere else?
Sidecar is Apple's built-in way to make an iPad a second Mac display. It's the right tool when the iPad sits next to the Mac and you want more room or want to draw with Apple Pencil. Beam streams the screen your Mac already has, with its sound, to an iPad (or iPhone) anywhere in the house, and away from home with Beam Unlimited. If you're at the desk, start with Sidecar. If you're not, that's what Beam is for.
Side by side
Beam vs Sidecar
| Beam | Sidecar | |
|---|---|---|
| What the iPad becomes | A view of your Mac's screen, or one window | A second display, extended or mirrored |
| Drag windows onto the iPad | No | Yes |
| How far apart | Anywhere on your Wi-Fi, or anywhere with Unlimited | Within 10 m (30 ft), or a USB cable |
| Works with iPhone | Yes | No, iPad only |
| Apple Pencil | No | Yes |
| Touch control of the Mac | Click, right-click, drag, scroll, live keyboard | Gestures, much expanded in iPadOS 27 and macOS 27 |
| Mac sound on the iPad | Yes | Not listed by Apple |
| Keep watching in another iPad app | Yes, in Picture in Picture | No, the session pauses |
| Account | None, pair with a code | Same Apple Account, two-factor on |
| Requirements | macOS 14+, iPadOS 16+ | macOS 10.15+, iPadOS 13+, supported models |
| Price | Free tier, $7.99 once for Unlimited | Built in, free |
Sidecar details come from Apple's Sidecar requirements and Mac User Guide, checked October 2026.
Choose Sidecar when…
- You want more desktop space. Sidecar adds a real display. Put Slack or your reference material on the iPad and keep the main screen for work. Beam can't do this, because it never adds a display.
- You draw or design. Sidecar lets you use Apple Pencil in Mac apps. Beam has no Pencil support.
- The iPad is on your desk. Within arm's reach, a built-in, free feature with an optional cable is hard to beat.
Choose Beam when…
- You're somewhere else. Sidecar needs the devices within about 10 meters. Beam works anywhere on your home Wi-Fi, so the Mac can stay in the office while you watch from the couch or the kitchen. With Beam Unlimited it works away from home too, over your own Tailscale network.
- You want to watch what's already on the Mac. A render, a download, a livestream, a film. Beam streams the screen you have, with its sound, and can lock to a single window.
- You want to keep using the iPad. Beam keeps playing in Picture in Picture while you use other apps. Sidecar pauses when you switch away from it.
- You also want it on your iPhone. Sidecar is iPad only. Beam is one app for both.
- You want to play Mac games from the couch. A controller paired with the iPad reaches the Mac as a real gamepad. See the controller guide.
Using both
They don't compete for the same moment. Plenty of people use Sidecar at the desk during the day and Beam in the evening to check on a long job from another room.
How Beam looks on an iPad
An iPad has room for real detail, so turn the quality up. Beam 3.5 adds 1440p, 4K and Native presets when your Mac's display supports them, and frame rates go up to 120 fps on ProMotion iPads when the Mac's display runs at 120 Hz too. The quality settings guide covers what to pick.
Frequently asked questions
Should I use Sidecar or Beam with my iPad?
Sidecar for a second display or Apple Pencil at your desk. Beam for seeing your Mac from somewhere else.
Does Sidecar work away from home?
No. Apple asks for the devices to be within 10 meters, or connected by USB. Beam works anywhere on your Wi-Fi, and away from home with Beam Unlimited.
Can Beam make my iPad an extended display?
No. Beam shows a display your Mac already has. For an extra display, use Sidecar.
Does Beam need my Apple Account?
No. You pair with a 6-digit code. Sidecar needs the same Apple Account on both devices.
Your Mac on your iPad, from the next room
Beacon is free on the Mac. Beam is free to start on iPad and iPhone.