Ditto vs. Reflector

Ditto or Reflector — which Squirrels screen mirroring solution is right for you? This guide will help you decide which product fits your needs best.

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Key Points

Ditto is an all-in-one wireless screen mirroring software solution, complete with sender and receiver apps, that utilizes Squirrels’ own screen mirroring protocol.
Reflector is screen mirroring software that adds AirPlay, Google Cast and Miracast receiving capabilities to existing devices.
Ditto is a business and education software solution, built for the spaces where people meet, present and learn. Reflector is ideal for consumer use and is a budget-friendly option for small-scale deployments.
Reflector costs $20. Ditto costs $99-$175/year.

Wireless Software

Both Ditto and Reflector are screen mirroring software solutions.

Ditto is designed as an all-in one, secure, scalable solution for businesses and schools. It allows anyone to present their device wirelessly to the TV or primary display in a room.

Reflector is consumer software that allows devices to screen mirror to a computer. Reflector allows any device that uses AirPlay, Chromecast or Miracast protocols to screen mirror to the computer running Reflector software.

The Fundamental Difference: All-in-One or Halfway There?

Screen mirroring requires two operations to work. One device (such as your phone) must send its screen. Another device (such as a computer or TV) must receive and display the sender screen. Learn more about how screen mirroring works here.

Reflector is a receiver. It runs on Mac or Windows computers and displays the connections it receives from other devices. Reflector does not send device screens anywhere. Rather, devices use native, built-in screen mirroring protocols such as AirPlay, Google Cast or Miracast to screen mirror to Reflector.

Ditto is an all-in-one solution — both sending and receiving is built in. Devices send their screens with the Ditto Connect app. TVs and computers receive and display device screens using Ditto Receiver software.

One advantage of Ditto is that it doesn’t rely on AirPlay, Google Cast or Miracast protocols to screen mirror. Those protocols require a number of open network ports while Ditto uses its own proprietary screen mirroring protocol that does not compromise network security. Ditto screen mirroring is faster, more stable and more secure.

Compatibility

Both Ditto and Reflector allow numerous devices and platforms to screen mirror.

Wireless Screen Mirroring – Compatible Sender Devices

These devices send their screens to Ditto and Reflector.

Ditto:	Reflector:
✔ Windows (using the Ditto Connect App)	✔ Windows (using Miracast)
✔ macOS (using the Ditto Connect App)	✔ macOS (using AirPlay)
✔ iOS (using the Ditto Connect App)	✔ iOS (using AirPlay)
✔ iPadOS (using the Ditto Connect App)	✔ iPadOS (using AirPlay)
✔ Android (using the Ditto Connect App)	✔ Android (using Google Cast)
✔ Chrome OS (using the Ditto Connect App)	✔ Chrome OS (using Google Cast)

Wireless Screen Mirroring – Compatible Receiver Devices

These devices receive and display connections.

Ditto:	Reflector:
✔ Windows	✔ Windows
✔ macOS	✔ macOS
✔ Apple TV	✔ Android devices such as Amazon Fire TV
✔ Chromecast

How Connections Work

Ditto

The TV or primary display shows a room code. Users enter the room code into the Ditto Connect app on their device. The device connects to the display instantly.

Desktop users can initiate the connection process via the Ditto Connect webpage if they don’t have the downloaded app.

Ditto Connect and Ditto receiver applications

Reflector

There are several ways to share screens to a Reflector-enabled computer depending on the device type.

Option 1: Use native AirPlay screen mirroring (Apple devices only)

Use native AirPlay screen mirroring (Apple devices only)

Users can use native screen mirroring on Apple devices. The Reflector-enabled computer appears as an available receiver inside Screen Mirroring in Control Center.
Option 2: Use native Google Cast screen mirroring (Android and Chrome OS devices only)

Use native Google Cast screen mirroring (Android and Chrome OS devices only)

After connecting to the same network as the computer running Reflector, users can use native Google Cast to screen mirror with Android and Chrome OS devices.
Option 3: Use native Miracast screen mirroring (Android and Windows devices only)

Use native Miracast screen mirroring (Android and Windows devices only)

Android and Windows users can use native Miracast on some devices. When the “Project” menu is opened, a Reflector-enabled computer appears as a destination to project a user’s screen.

Note: Miracast receiving is only available on the Windows version of Reflector.
Option 4: Use Smart View on Samsung Devices

Use Smart View on Samsung Devices

After connecting to the same network as the computer running Reflector, most Samsung mobile devices can use Smart View to screen mirror to Reflector-enabled computers.

Collaboration

Number of users

Both Ditto and Reflector allow an unlimited number of users.

Number of connected devices

Ditto supports mirroring multiple devices simultaneously to the big screen. Up to four users can connect and share windows, apps and full device screens at the same time regardless of what device or operating system they use.

Reflector allows as many users as is feasible for the computer to display. Network strength also plays a role in how many users can connect to Reflector. Performance and latency may suffer as more users connect to Reflector.

Additional Features — Ditto

Display branding and connection information: Ditto receivers can be styled with company branding in addition to displaying connection instructions on screen. Ditto account admins can upload logos, background images and banners to brand every display and Ditto Connect app with organization-specific visuals.

Mirror specific windows and apps: Ditto users can screen mirror specific windows or applications, allowing users to show what they want and keep the rest of the desktop hidden.

Additional Features — Reflector

Preview connections: Reflector users can see live previews of connected devices and choose which devices to display or disconnect.

Recording and screenshots: Reflector users can take screenshots and video screen recordings of connected devices.

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Administration and Scalability

Ditto administration and remote management takes place entirely within the Ditto Account Portal — a web-based application accessible from anywhere. It is one central platform to manage all receivers and is included with a Ditto subscription.

Reflector cannot be managed remotely.

Getting Started

Both Ditto and Reflector require hardware receivers deployed in each room they’re used in (see “Compatibility” above).

Security and Stability

Reflector requires that you enable Bonjour and multicast and open numerous network ports. These network ports allow devices to screen mirror with Google Cast, Miracast and AirPlay streaming protocols. Many enterprise business and school networks do not allow these ports to be open for security and performance purposes. Ditto does not require Bonjour, multicast or any of these protocols to work.

Ditto is built for restricted and locked-down networks, allowing screen mirroring while keeping performance stable and connections secure. Ditto uses its own wireless protocol which instantly connects devices to receivers — eliminating the frustration and wait time to connect with a broadcasted signal. Ditto securely crosses VLANs so guest users with external devices can still present wirelessly on corporate networks.

Cost

A paid subscription is required for each Ditto receiver. The Ditto Connect app is free. Each device running Reflector requires a license.

Ditto: $99-$175/year
Reflector: $20 per license

Price breakdown

It's likely that you already have a compatible Ditto receiver and can begin using Ditto today without purchasing any additional technology or equipment. If you do require a wireless receiver, a device such as an Apple TV HD (priced at $150) will make the total cost of Ditto $249-$325 for one room to get started.

Both Ditto and Reflector offer free trials that allow you to use the software before purchasing. Reflector’s free trial lasts seven days while Ditto’s free trial lasts 30 days.

Final Thoughts

Ditto boosts collaboration and engagement in corporate, enterprise and education environments. Any coworker, guest, student or faculty member can enter a room and present with Ditto in seconds. If you need a wireless presentation solution that offers stable connections and remains secure on your network, go with Ditto.

Reflector is friendly for both consumer and teacher budgets. With the ability to record device screens and take screenshots, it’s ideal for users who play mobile games or create tutorial videos. If you need to screen mirror and record devices at home or in just a single classroom, Reflector is a solution that works great for individual users.

Screen Mirroring Terms

Screen mirroring: When a device such as a phone, tablet or computer wirelessly displays on another device screen.

Sender device: The device that sends its screen content to another device via a screen mirroring protocol (such as AirPlay, Google Cast or Miracast).

Receiver device: The destination for the content sent by the sender device. This can be an Apple TV, Reflector-enabled computer or many other hardware types. The receiver displays the sender device screen.

AirPlay: Apple’s screen mirroring protocol. This is the technology in Apple products that allows them to screen mirror to devices like an Apple TV.

Google Cast: Google’s screen mirroring protocol. This is the technology in Google products that allows them to screen mirror to devices like a Chromecast.

Miracast: Microsoft’s screen mirroring protocol. This is the technology in Windows and some Android products that allow them to screen mirror to wireless receivers.

Updated on 3/1/2023

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