Comparison

Unitronics' Remote Operator vs yDrives

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read full description

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.

About

yDrives

Access alarm descriptions and troubleshooting guides for Yaskawa AC drives instantly. This professional tool provides essential information for commissioning and service, including links to user manuals. Supports a wide range of Yaskawa drive models.

Highlights
  • Quick alarm descriptions
  • Troubleshooting guides
  • Links to user manuals
  • Support for multiple Yaskawa drive models
  • Multilingual alarm descriptions
  • Offline access to information
Features
Read full description

The 'yDrives - VFD help' app provides quick access to alarm descriptions of Yaskawa AC drives. In a second you get a full alarm description, troubleshooting guide and even a link to the latest user manual. App greatly helps by commissioning and service giving you the necessary information when you need it and where you need it. It is small but really feature-full application. A professional tool for professionals, must have in your First Aid Kit. Currently supported drives: A1000, D1000, E7, F7, G7, J1000, L1000A, P7, P1000, R1000, U1000, V7, V74X, V1000, VS mini, Z1000. The app is in English. For most popular drives the main alarms descriptions are also available in Russian, Português, Spanish and French. DISCLAIMER: This app IS NOT affiliated with Yaskawa Electric Corporation or any of its affiliates!

Screenshots

Unitronics' Remote Operator4 screens
yDrives4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Unitronics' Remote Operator at 67% against yDrives's 0%. Unitronics' Remote Operator also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1) and iOS requirement (7.0 vs 12.0). yDrives's advantage is update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 20 months) and rating (4.3 vs 4.0). On price, ads, monetization model 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. yDrives sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Unitronics' Remote Operator asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

yDrives holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: yDrives has 16 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 67% of Unitronics' Remote Operator's written reviews are positive against 0% of yDrives's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Unitronics' Remote Operator ships an update every 20 months, yDrives every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on June 1, 2026 and June 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Unitronics' Remote Operator versus yDrives: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterUnitronics' Remote OperatoryDrives
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (2 ratings)4.3 (16 ratings) — better
Positive reviews66.7% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings216 — better
Update frequencyEvery 20 monthsEvery 5 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS7.0 — better12.0
Further details — not scored
Size56 MB10 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperUnitronicsEvgeny Makarenkov

Customer experience

Unitronics' Remote Operator

All ratings2 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral50.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral33.3%
Negative0.0%

yDrives

All ratings16 ratings
Positive81.3%
Neutral6.3%
Negative12.5%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral66.7%
Negative33.3%

In-app purchases

None

Unitronics' Remote Operator

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

yDrives

One-time1
  • All Drives$1.99

Questions

Is Unitronics' Remote Operator free?
Unitronics' Remote Operator is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is yDrives free?
yDrives is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Unitronics' Remote Operator or yDrives?
yDrives is rated higher. Unitronics' Remote Operator averages 4.0 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while yDrives averages 4.3 from 16 ratings.
Do Unitronics' Remote Operator or yDrives have ads?
Neither Unitronics' Remote Operator nor yDrives shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Unitronics' Remote Operator or yDrives?
Unitronics' Remote Operator ships an update every 20 months, and yDrives every 5 weeks. Most recently, Unitronics' Remote Operator was updated on June 1, 2026 and yDrives on June 4, 2026.

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