Castpane vs Reflector 4 for Windows
Reflector, from Squirrels, has been a classroom favourite for years. It started out in 2012 under the name Reflection; the old reflectionapp.com address now leads somewhere else entirely, which is why some teaching blogs still link to a page that no longer works. Reflector 4 runs on Windows and Mac. Here is how it compares with Castpane.
| Castpane | Reflector 4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Free use | Free download with no end date, 15 minutes per connection, no watermark | 7-day full trial with a watermark |
| Paid | One-time in-app purchase | $12.99 per computer, one licence per computer |
| Receives | AirPlay screen mirroring and audio; browser tabs with the free extension | AirPlay, Google Cast and Miracast |
| Several devices at once | Not advertised | Yes |
| Recording | In the paid upgrade, MP4 with sound | Yes, including a voiceover |
| Windows versions | Windows 10 and 11 | Windows 10 or newer |
| Where to get it | Microsoft Store | Installer from its website |
Where Reflector is stronger
- More senders: Google Cast and Miracast as well as AirPlay, and several devices on screen together.
- Teaching extras: recording with a voiceover for tutorials, and companion apps for managing a classroom.
- One licence for Mac or Windows: its universal licence works on either.
Where Castpane is different
- No watermark, no trial clock. Reflector's trial lasts 7 days and stamps a watermark until you buy. Castpane's free version has no watermark and does not expire; each connection lasts up to 15 minutes and you reconnect at once.
- Microsoft Store install and in-app purchase, with no licence key.
- Connection help: the Can't see this PC? wizard and the free Castpane Link helper for Macs on networks that hide the PC.
Which one to choose
If you teach with a mix of devices, want several screens at once or need narrated recordings, Reflector's $12.99 licence buys a lot. If you mirror one Apple device at a time to a Windows PC and want to try it as long as you like before paying, Castpane fits. Neither can show protected streaming video. Why.
Sources: Reflector trial, Reflector requirements, Reflector features.
Prices and plans of other apps were checked on their websites on October 16, 2026. They change often, so confirm them with the vendor before you buy.
Questions
Is Reflector free?
Reflector 4 has a free 7-day trial with every feature and a watermark. After that it costs $12.99 per computer, according to its website.
What happened to the Reflection app?
Reflection was the original name of Reflector. The Internet Archive shows reflectionapp.com forwarding to reflectorapp.com from early 2013; today the old reflectionapp.com address leads to an unrelated company. Reflector 4 is the current version.
Last updated October 16, 2026.
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