Onkyo Controller vs Kaleidescape
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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.
Kaleidescape
This app allows owners of Kaleidescape systems to purchase movies, control their players remotely, and receive system updates and recommendations. Browse, search, and buy films from major studios, curated collections, and explore genres and cast information.
- Purchase movies for your system remotely
- Intuitive in-app remote control
- Browse, search, and view movie trailers
- Explore curated film collections
- View reviews and ratings
- Receive system alerts and recommendations
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IMPORTANT: This app is designed for owners of Kaleidescape systems. Learn more at kaleidescape.com. Kaleidescape, a leader in luxury home cinema, brings you the Kaleidescape App! With your iPhone or iPad, you can: • Purchase a movie for your Kaleidescape system, anywhere, anytime • Control your Kaleidescape player with an innovative and intuitive in-app remote • Receive timely information from Kaleidescape, such as a movie recommendation, or an alert that your home cinema system requires service Features: • Browse, search movies and view trailers from all the major motion picture studios • Peruse curated collections of films chosen by the movie experts at Kaleidescape • Explore genres, actors, and directors, and view reviews and ratings from trusted sources • When you are away from your home, use your iOS device to easily find and buy a movie that can be downloaded to your system and ready to watch when you get home • Control any Kaleidescape player in your home with the in-app remote • Be more connected with Kaleidescape through notification and feedback features All content featured is available for purchase on the Kaleidescape movie store. All copyrights, trademarks, and logos are property of their respective owners.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Kaleidescape at 4.3 against Onkyo Controller's 2.2. Kaleidescape also leads on review sentiment (57% vs 26%). Onkyo Controller's advantage is ratings volume (625 vs 43) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Kaleidescape holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 2.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Onkyo Controller has 625 ratings behind it against 43, 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 57% of Kaleidescape's.
Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Onkyo Controller | Kaleidescape |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 2.2 (625 ratings) | 4.3 (43 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 25.6% of reviews | 57.1% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 625 — better | 43 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 2 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 80 MB | 27 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | 11 Trading Company LLC | Kaleidescape, Inc. |
Customer experience
Onkyo Controller
Kaleidescape
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
Kaleidescape
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Onkyo Controller
No in-app purchases
Kaleidescape
No in-app purchases







