Both Reflector and AirServer are apps which use Airplay to display the screen of a mobile Apple device on a desktop. While they both have the same fundamental functionality, there are some important differences that need some highlighting.
What you need:
iPhone 4S, iPhone5, iPad 2 or later, iPad mini, or iPod Touch (5th gen)
OS X – 10.6.8 or later
Windows – Windows XP or later
Price: $12.99
What you need:
iPhone 4S, iPhone5, iPad 2 or later, iPad mini, or iPod Touch (5th gen)
OS X – 10.6 or later
Windows – Windows Vista or later
Price: $14.99
Both Reflector and AirServer offer basic display services, including connection to multiple devices for side-by-side comparison. They also offer password protection and the ability to sync only audio without displaying video (although this does not work on YouTube for either – the video automatically displays).
The key differences between the two apps are in appearance and recording capabilities. Reflector displays the mirrored mobile device in a mock iPad or iPhone border, which can be disabled. AirServer simply displays the device in a window. The image in AirServer tended to be less defined, no matter how much the sharpness was increased in Settings. More significantly, Reflector, unlike AirServer, has a built-in recording function. Simply pressing Command + R will record the mirrored display, capturing the screen’s video as well as audio. AirServer allows for similar recording, but it needs to be done with another tool, like Snapz Pro X or ScreenRecord. If you plan on capturing video using another tool anyway, AirServer certainly works, but if you need a simple program to record video and audio, the built-in recording function and slightly cheaper price tag make Reflector an easier app.
It should be noted, however, that Reflector does not record audio from the microphone; it only records from the device that is streaming. If you want to create a video with your own recorded audio, you’ll have to add it later using other software. Additionally, both Reflector and AirServer have been noted to have problems with Windows 8, so if that is your operating system, you might want another solution altogether.
