Comparison

Onkyo Controller vs LightShow®SmartLights

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

Head to head
About

Onkyo Controller

Control compatible Onkyo network products with this official remote app. Stream music from various sources, manage playback, and operate connected home theater devices. Features automatic sound field correction for compatible products.

Highlights
  • Music playback from streaming services
  • Control music library and NAS drives
  • Remote control functions (play, volume, input)
  • Operate connected Blu-Ray players and TVs
  • Automatic sound field correction (Dirac Live)
  • Check audio/video formats
  • Turn on compatible units remotely
Features
Read full description

Onkyo Controller is the official Onkyo remote control application that allows users to conveniently operate compatible Onkyo network products from their iPhone/iPod touch/iPad. The intuitive, user-friendly interface makes it easy to get more from your AV home entertainment experience. Main functions that can be operated through this application. (1) Play music in each room or every room - Lets you play music from music streaming services such as Pandora, Spotify, DEEZER and TIDAL, your music library on your smart device, or your NAS drive on compatible products. - You can play your music via radio, Bluetooth and USB. (2) Remote control functions - You can operate general control functions (play/stop, control the volume, select the input source, etc.) from your smartphone. (3) Operation of connected product(home theater product such as AV amplifier) - Lets you control a Blu-Ray Disc player or TV that is connected to an AV amplifier or home theater product via HDMI. (4) Dirac Live-enabled products measure automatic sound field correction. In addition, filters can be edited. (5) Audio/Video formats of input and output can also be checked. *By setting the “Network Standby” menu item in the unit’s initial settings to ON, you can use this application to turn on the power of the unit. Compatible models Network AV Receivers/Network Audio Player/Home Theater/Wireless Speaker in April 2016 or later ■ Please note ・To use Application it needs to read and agree Terms of Service. ・All models require a firmware update to use Onkyo Controller. ・Available Service depends on regions. ・Why Device's location is needed? Answer: In order to set-up your wireless devices which are located around you, SSID and Access Point info is needed. There is no other purpose to use the information of Device’s Location.

About

LightShow®SmartLights

Control your holiday light displays directly from your smartphone. This app allows you to customize effects, colors, and themes for your lighting products, making holiday decorating easy and personalized.

Highlights
  • Smartphone control
  • Dozens of effects and colors
  • Multiple holiday themes
  • Customizable lighting options
  • Easy setup and management
Features
Read full description

Put on a dazzling holiday light display–and control it all from your smartphone. The SmartLights® app works exclusively with SmartLights® holiday lighting products to control dozens of effects and colors directly from your smartphone. It’s super easy to set up and manage. Choose from multiple holiday themes, lighting technologies and color options for each lighting product. Perfect for outdoor or indoor holiday decorating, SmartLights® delivers the latest in holiday decorating technology for a custom look that’s a breeze to manage.Please make the below changes to the pages on the app stores

Screenshots

Onkyo Controller4 screens
LightShow®SmartLights4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ratings volume: Onkyo Controller at 620 against LightShow®SmartLights's 4. Onkyo Controller also leads on rating (2.2 vs 2.0). LightShow®SmartLights's advantage is iOS requirement (9.0 vs 15.0). On price, review sentiment, update cadence and ads 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Onkyo Controller holds the better App Store score, 2.2 against 2.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Onkyo Controller has 620 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 26% of Onkyo Controller's written reviews are positive against 23% of LightShow®SmartLights's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Onkyo Controller versus LightShow®SmartLights: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterOnkyo ControllerLightShow®SmartLights
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.2 (620 ratings) — better2.0 (4 ratings)
Positive reviews25.6% of reviews — better23.1% of reviews
Number of ratings620 — better4
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.09.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size80 MB14 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer11 Trading Company LLCGemmy Industries Corporation

Customer experience

Onkyo Controller

All ratings620 ratings
Positive26.6%
Neutral6.0%
Negative67.4%
Written reviews508 reviews
Positive25.6%
Neutral12.0%
Negative62.4%

LightShow®SmartLights

All ratings3 ratings
Positive33.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative66.7%
Written reviews13 reviews
Positive23.1%
Neutral0.0%
Negative76.9%

Bugs and requests

Onkyo Controller

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • App doesn't recognize receiver
  • Fails to connect to Wi-Fi
  • Loses connection during use
  • Doesn't work with iOS 13 and newer
  • Causes receiver to enter Direct mode unexpectedly

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add support for Apple Music
  • Improve Tidal and Deezer integration
  • Allow customization of input names
  • Add sleep timer and power off options
  • Improve volume control and speaker balance adjustments

LightShow®SmartLights

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Onkyo Controller

No in-app purchases

None

LightShow®SmartLights

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Onkyo Controller free?
Onkyo Controller is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is LightShow®SmartLights free?
LightShow®SmartLights is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Onkyo Controller or LightShow®SmartLights?
Onkyo Controller is rated higher. Onkyo Controller averages 2.2 out of 5 from 620 ratings, while LightShow®SmartLights averages 2.0 from 4 ratings.
Do Onkyo Controller or LightShow®SmartLights have ads?
Neither Onkyo Controller nor LightShow®SmartLights shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Onkyo Controller or LightShow®SmartLights?
Onkyo Controller ships an update every 2 months, and LightShow®SmartLights every 2 months. Most recently, Onkyo Controller was updated on October 17, 2026 and LightShow®SmartLights on October 21, 2026.

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