Comparison

Onkyo Controller vs Kaleidescape

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

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read full description

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

Onkyo Controller4 screens
Kaleidescape4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

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

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Onkyo Controller versus Kaleidescape: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterOnkyo ControllerKaleidescape
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.2 (625 ratings)4.3 (43 ratings) — better
Positive reviews25.6% of reviews57.1% of reviews — better
Number of ratings625 — better43
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size80 MB27 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer11 Trading Company LLCKaleidescape, Inc.

Customer experience

Onkyo Controller

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

Kaleidescape

All ratings42 ratings
Positive83.3%
Neutral4.8%
Negative11.9%
Written reviews14 reviews
Positive57.1%
Neutral0.0%
Negative42.9%

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

Kaleidescape

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Onkyo Controller

No in-app purchases

None

Kaleidescape

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Onkyo Controller free?
Onkyo Controller is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Kaleidescape free?
Kaleidescape is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Onkyo Controller or Kaleidescape?
Kaleidescape is rated higher. Onkyo Controller averages 2.2 out of 5 from 625 ratings, while Kaleidescape averages 4.3 from 43 ratings.
Do Onkyo Controller or Kaleidescape have ads?
Neither Onkyo Controller nor Kaleidescape shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Onkyo Controller or Kaleidescape?
Onkyo Controller ships an update every 2 months, and Kaleidescape every 2 months. Most recently, Onkyo Controller was updated on October 30, 2026 and Kaleidescape on October 24, 2026.

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