Encore vs AirPlay to Mac.
For an old iMac as a monitor.
AirPlay to Mac is free and built in, but the iMac must be from 2019 or later on macOS Monterey or later. On those iMacs it is a fine choice for occasional use. For an iMac before 2019, or for regular work over a cable, it does not apply, and Encore does.
Who should pick which
- Pick AirPlay to Mac if your iMac is from 2019 or 2020 and you only need a screen now and then. It costs nothing and is already there.
- Pick Encore if your iMac is from before 2019, if you want a cable, or if you want the iMac's keyboard and mouse over that cable, and a smart display when you stop.
Side by side
| Encore | AirPlay to Mac | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free during the public beta | Free, built in |
| Which iMacs | Late 2009 to 2020; 2007 to Early 2009 with Encore Receiver Legacy | "All other Mac models introduced in 2018 or later", on macOS Monterey or later. For iMacs, that means 2019 and 2020 |
| Your Mac | macOS 14 or later | macOS 12 or later, nearby and on the same network |
| Connection | Wi-Fi, Gigabit Ethernet or Thunderbolt | Over your network. No direct cable mode |
| Picture | Sharp, lossless picture over a cable | "A much slower connection" than a cable, per MacMost |
| iMac keyboard and mouse (camera and microphone coming soon) | Yes, over a cable | No |
| Smart display when idle | StandBy clocks, weather, calendar, AirPlay music, Hey Mac | No |
Why it stops at 2019
Apple's requirements page lists the iMac Pro, Mac mini from 2020 or later, and all other Macs from 2018 or later, on macOS Monterey or later. Apple released no iMac in 2018, so for regular iMacs the list starts at 2019. An iMac from 2017 can't receive AirPlay from a Mac, even on a newer macOS, without unofficial patches. Encore needs only macOS 10.13 on the iMac.
Does it extend your desktop?
AirPlay to Mac was designed around streaming from an iPhone or iPad. Using it Mac to Mac as a second screen does work: MacMost describes it, warning of "a much slower connection",. Apple's Mac help doesn't describe a Mac as an extended AirPlay display, so try it on your own setup rather than planning around it.
Regular work or now and then
If you want to drop a window onto your iMac once a week, AirPlay to Mac is enough. If you want a screen you work on every day, a cable makes the bigger difference. Over a cable, Encore needs at least 400 Mbps and gives the sharp, lossless picture. Over Wi-Fi, Encore's picture is always lower quality as well, so for monitor use plug in. Read Wi-Fi or cable for a second screen.
Where Encore is weaker
It isn't free after the public beta, and it needs an app on each Mac. If your iMac is from 2019 or later and you rarely need it, AirPlay to Mac is the easier choice. Check your model on the compatibility page and the cable guide, and the help center if something doesn't connect.
Facts on this page were checked on 9 November 2026 on the linked pages. Speeds are each maker's own figures, not independent measurements. Something out of date? Tell us and we fix it.
Questions
Can my old iMac receive AirPlay from my Mac?
Only if it is on Apple's list: for iMacs, that is 2019 or later on macOS Monterey or later. An iMac from 2017 or earlier is not on the list.
Does AirPlay to Mac work over a cable?
AirPlay to Mac goes over your network. It has no direct cable mode like Target Display Mode or Encore.
Is AirPlay to Mac good enough for daily work?
MacMost warns of a much slower connection than a cable. It can work well for occasional use. For daily work, a cable is usually better with any app that supports one.