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Stream Deck Mobile vs Virtual Stream Deck: Which One Is Right for You?

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Stream Deck doesn’t have to stay on your desk. With Stream Deck Mobile, it lives in your hand. With Virtual Stream Deck, it lives on your screen. Both run the same actions and support the same profiles, but shine in different situations.

In this guide, we’ll break down how they compare and what details matter most day to day.

At a glance

Here’s a quick side-by-side look at how they compare.

Stream Deck Mobile Virtual Stream Deck
Platform iOS, Android Windows, macOS
Keys 6 free, up to 64 (Pro) Up to 64 (requires Stream Deck device)
Hardware required Tablet or Phone Stream Deck device
Plugins All Stream Deck plugins All Stream Deck plugins
Organization Profiles, Pages and Folders Profiles, Pages and Folders
Customization Moving GIFs and custom icons Moving GIFs and custom icons

What is Stream Deck Mobile?

Stream Deck Mobile runs on iOS and Android, turning your phone or tablet into a fully functional Stream Deck. You get six keys for free, or unlock more with a Pro license. On tablets, you can even run two instances side by side, giving you up to 128 keys on screen at once.

Key features

What is Virtual Stream Deck?

  • Runs on iOS and Android: Use your phone or tablet as a Stream Deck
  • Free to try: Includes 6 keys without a subscription
  • Pro unlock: Get up to 64 keys and more customization options
  • Tablet-friendly: Use two panels side by side for up to 128 keys
  • Same profiles, same actions: Everything you’ve set up carries over
  • Smart Profiles and folders: Just like on hardware or Virtual Stream Deck
  • Portable and flexible: Great for presentations, remote workflows, or mobile streaming setups

Want to learn more about Stream Deck Mobile? Check out our website for more information.

Virtual Stream Deck (VSD) is an on-screen version of Stream Deck that runs on your PC or Mac computer. It floats anywhere on your display or can snap to the edge like a software dock. It's ideal when you want control without adding physical hardware, whether you're streaming, gaming, or hopping into a meeting.

Key features

  • Docked or dynamic mode: Dock it by dragging it to an edge of your monitor or summon it with a hotkey
  • Up to 64 keys: Flexible 8x8 grid layout
  • Multiple panels: Launch different layouts for different tasks
  • Visual customization: Adjust icon size, opacity, and frame color
  • Full Marketplace support: Works with all plugins, profiles, and icons
  • Requires Stream Deck hardware to unlock: Any physical deck unlocks the feature

Want to learn more about Virtual Stream Deck? Read the full overview here [Link to Explorer Article]

Which one should you use?

Stream Deck Mobile is portable and flexible, ideal when you want hands-on control without being tied to your desk. It works great for:

  • Running a stream or presentation while moving around
  • Triggering actions from a tablet stand or secondary display
  • Managing overlays or scenes at events where your PC isn’t within reach

Virtual Stream Deck is perfect when you want controls to live directly on your screen. It’s a strong fit for:

  • Desk setups where you prefer software-based tools over extra hardware
  • Meetings or livestreams where you want panels to appear and disappear with a hotkey
  • Creative workflows like editing or color grading where screen-based input is more convenient

Both give you the same power as a physical Stream Deck — the only difference is how and where you want to use it.

Try them out

  • Download Stream Deck Mobile for iOS or Android.
  • Already own a Stream Deck? Activate Virtual Stream Deck in the Stream Deck app by clicking your device name in the top-left dropdown and selecting Add Virtual Device.