irBoard Player vs Unitronics' Remote Operator
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
irBoard Player
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Using irBoard Player, you can conveniently monitor the status and operation of FA equipment and IoT devices through an iPad or any other iOS device. The control device known as a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) has communication protocols. irBoard Player communicates with PLCs via its protocol. Additionally, it has the capability to communicate effectively with IoT devices, specifically the ESP32 device at present. For creating project data, you need to use the paid version of irBoard or purchase an In-app-purcahse item of irBoard Lite. FEATURE: - You can conveniently monitor the status and operation of FA equipment and IoT devices. - Although the FA equipment has fixed touch panels installed, the irBoard Player on iOS devices offers superior portability. - It is possible to remotely check the status of a device in PLCs. - To ensure safety, manipulating connected PLC devices is only allowed on a single iOS device. - By switching projects, you can easily connect to multiple FA machines using just one iOS device. - irBoard Player supports the following PLCs via Ethernet connection: MITSUBISHI Electric, KEYENCE, OMRON, and YOKOGAWA Electric, and support Modbus/TCP. - It can also connect to an open-source PLC LadderDrive running on Raspberry Pi. (https://github.com/ito-soft-design/ladder_drive) - The irBoard Library for ESP32 library supports ESP32 devices.(https://github.com/ito-soft-design/irboard_esp32) - The irBoard.NET library supports Windows .NET applications.(https://github.com/ito-soft-design/irboard-dotnet) - Using the LadderDrive protocol, allows for communication with IoT devices such as ESP32 without any difficulty. ===================================== --- Notes --- With irBoard Player, you have the ability to turn devices on and off. If you require the interlocking of PLC-controlled devices, it is necessary to configure this on the PLC. To ensure safety, we suggest setting the status of such devices to read-only. You can monitor the health status to determine if the connection is stable. If the connection is lost, it’s important to take precautionary measures when operating your PLC. =====================================
Unitronics' Remote Operator
Access and control Unitronics controllers remotely from your smartphone or tablet. Monitor automation processes, view HMI screens, and manage alarms and data in real-time. Configure and organize multiple controllers for efficient operation.
- Remote access to Vision and Samba controllers
- Monitor and control automation processes
- View HMI screens as if physically present
- Manage alarms and process trends
- Organize multiple controllers in groups
- Secure access with password protection
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The Remote Operator application enables you to remotely access your Unitronics controllers using your smartphone and tablet. Via the application, you can view and operate the controller’s HMI —as if you are physically touching the controller. Using Remote Operator you monitor automation processes, press keys and touch HMI objects, change parameter values, view Alarms and process value Trends. You can define and access multiple controllers from a single device. Main Features - Remotely access Vision and Samba controllers via Internet or wireless LAN - Remotely control/monitor automation processes and machines - Control many controllers from a single mobile device. - View operational conditions, Alarms, data, and Trends in real time - Configure communication channels for multiple controllers - Organize controllers in Favorites and Groups - Shareable Configurations – send/share your list of controllers to another device - Security via Password: prevent unauthorized entry - Pinch to zoom *Supported Controllers Minimum OS version: iOS 7+ Supported Controllers: V350, V430, V700, V570, V1040, V1210, SM35, SM43, SM70 View and Download the QuickStart Guide: http://www.unitronics.com/Unitronics_Apps/Unitronics_Remote_Operator_AppQuickStart.pdf *First-time Use 1. Open Remote Operator. 2. Create a Password, set up password recovery. 3. Tap OK, the app opens an empty Favorites screen. **Adding PLCs to Favorites/Groups Tap + to add PLCS, configure controllers and communication channels. Enter: - PLC Nickname Optional. Must be unique. - PLC Name Must exactly match the actual PLC Name, including capitals. - IP Address/Host, TCP and Port Defines communication channel NOTE: 1. IP Address & Port MUST be a unique combination. 2. Format: Incorrect 10.000.000.037 Correct 10.0.0.37. - Group Name Tap to open the Group list. Add to Favorites: When checked, the PLC is added to the Favorites list as well as a Group. When finished, if desired, tap Check PLC Connection. Tap OK to save the PLC and return to Favorites. To delete a PLC, swipe left. *Adding Groups 1. In the Favorites screen, tap the right facing arrow to open Groups. 2. Tap + to add a Group. 3. Enter Group Name and Comment. 4. Tap OK to add the Group. 5. Tap left facing arrow to return to Favorites. 6. Tap More (three bars, upper right side of the screen) to Hide/Show the Application Bar. *Using Remote Operator In Favorites or Groups, a PLC marked with a green hand is active. Access it remotely by tapping it. During a session, your mobile screen displays the PLC's HMI panel, along with a red Application Bar. This Bar shows (from left to right): - Connected PLC name - Connection duration - Buttons: > Switch modes: View Only /Full Control. Disable/enable buttons and touch properties on the HMI panel displayed on your mobile > Set Refresh rate (seconds) > Pause Remote session > Exit Remote session **PLC Information To view /edit, tap i: PLC Communication - To edit details, tap fields; set View mode: View Only/Full Control. - Check the PLC Connection. PLC System Info - When connected: Tap Get PLC Information to view PLC OS data. - When not connected: Shows details of last session. PLC Location Info - Tap to enter data: location, contact details, comments, edit the PLC’s group. - Delete PLC from Favorites: uncheck Add to Favorites. *Application Settings Tap More to show Application Bar if hidden, then tap Settings button. Startup Page: Remote Operator automatically loads/checks communications for all PLCs on Startup page Sharing Settings: 1. Tap Share, follow instructions to send the file Share.unitronics. 2. When Share.unitronics is received on the second device, tap to open it. Remote Operator opens the Share file. Remote Operator MUST be installed on the receiving device.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Unitronics' Remote Operator at Free against irBoard Player's $229.99. Unitronics' Remote Operator also leads on iOS requirement (7.0 vs 16.0). irBoard Player's advantage is update cadence (every 3 months vs every 20 months). On ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Unitronics' Remote Operator is free to download; irBoard Player costs $229.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
irBoard Player ships an update every 3 months, Unitronics' Remote Operator every 20 months. The most recent releases landed on August 1, 2026 and September 26, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | irBoard Player | Unitronics' Remote Operator |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $229.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | — | 4.0 (2 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | — | 66.7% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | — | 2 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months — better | Every 20 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | — | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | 7.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 40 MB | 56 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | ITO SOFT DESIGN Inc. | Unitronics |
In-app purchases
irBoard Player
No in-app purchases
Unitronics' Remote Operator
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is irBoard Player free?
Is Unitronics' Remote Operator free?
Do irBoard Player or Unitronics' Remote Operator have ads?
Which is updated more often, irBoard Player or Unitronics' Remote Operator?
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