Guide · Updated 9 October 2026
PadCanvas or Sidecar?
Both connect an iPad to a Mac, and both work with Apple Pencil. They do different jobs.
Quick answer
Sidecar, built into macOS, turns an iPad into a second display for your Mac, and Apple Pencil works inside Mac apps that support it. PadCanvas turns an iPhone or iPad into a pen and remote for a drawing layer over everything on your Mac screen, which suits presenting, teaching and video calls. Use Sidecar for more screen space or drawing inside one app. Use PadCanvas to mark up whatever is on the screen.
Side by side
| Sidecar | PadCanvas | |
|---|---|---|
| What it does | Extends or mirrors the Mac display on an iPad | Draws a layer over the Mac display, controlled from your device |
| Draw over any app | No. Pencil input goes to apps that support it. | Yes, over everything on the selected display |
| Devices | iPad | iPhone, iPad, and browser guests |
| Several people at once | One iPad | Several approved devices |
| Connection | Wireless or USB; same Apple Account on both | USB, Wi‑Fi or Bluetooth; you approve each device |
| Presenting tools | None of its own | Spotlight, arrows, text, images, zoom, fade, Google Slides remote |
| Price | Free with macOS | £4.99 a year after a 7-day trial |
| Requirements | Compatible Mac and iPad (macOS Catalina and iPadOS 13 or later) | Apple-silicon Mac with macOS 14+, iOS or iPadOS 16+ |
When to use which
- Need more screen, or want to draw in an illustration app? Sidecar.
- Explaining something on the screen to other people? PadCanvas.
- Only have an iPhone? PadCanvas. Sidecar needs an iPad.
Questions
Is Sidecar free?
Yes. Sidecar is built into macOS and iPadOS on compatible devices.
Can Sidecar draw over Keynote or a browser?
Sidecar sends Apple Pencil input to the app you’re using. It doesn’t add an annotation layer over every app; that’s what PadCanvas does.
Try it on your own screen
Seven days free, then £4.99 a year. The iPhone & iPad companion is included.
Requires an Apple-silicon Mac with macOS 14 or later, and an iPhone or iPad with iOS or iPadOS 16 or later. Apple Pencil works on compatible iPads.