Comparison

Onkyo Controller vs Watchbell

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

Watchbell

This app provides a variety of sound effects for your smartwatch, including bike bells, a cowbell, and a foghorn. It's designed to help you get noticed in various situations, from cycling to simply having fun. Ensure your watch is not in silent mode and no Bluetooth devices are connected to play the sounds.

Highlights
  • Variety of sound effects
  • Bike bell simulation
  • Cowbell sound
  • Foghorn sound
  • Attention-grabbing alerts
  • Fun sound effects
Read full description

Useful for all those who want to draw attention to themselves. - People riding their Bikes - Parents pushing their buggys - Just for fun Currently there are four different bells available. - Oldschool Bike Bell - High Pitched Bell - Cowbell - Fog horn To play back the sounds on the watch silent mode must be disabled and no bluetooth device should be paired with the watch.

Screenshots

Onkyo Controller4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Watchbell at daily against Onkyo Controller's every 2 months. Watchbell also leads on rating (2.5 vs 2.2) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). Onkyo Controller's advantage is ratings volume (620 vs 2). On price, review sentiment, 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

Watchbell holds the better App Store score, 2.5 against 2.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Onkyo Controller has 620 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 26% and 25% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Onkyo Controller ships an update every 2 months, Watchbell daily. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and June 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Onkyo Controller versus Watchbell: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterOnkyo ControllerWatchbell
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.2 (620 ratings)2.5 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews25.7% of reviews — better25.0% of reviews
Number of ratings620 — better2
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsDaily — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPod, Apple Watch
Requires iOS15.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size80 MB3 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer11 Trading Company LLCPhilipp Wallrich

Customer experience

Onkyo Controller

All ratings620 ratings
Positive26.6%
Neutral6.0%
Negative67.4%
Written reviews506 reviews
Positive25.7%
Neutral12.1%
Negative62.3%

Watchbell

All ratings2 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive25.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative75.0%

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

Watchbell

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Onkyo Controller

No in-app purchases

None

Watchbell

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Onkyo Controller free?
Onkyo Controller is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Watchbell free?
Watchbell is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Onkyo Controller or Watchbell?
Watchbell is rated higher. Onkyo Controller averages 2.2 out of 5 from 620 ratings, while Watchbell averages 2.5 from 2 ratings.
Do Onkyo Controller or Watchbell have ads?
Neither Onkyo Controller nor Watchbell shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Onkyo Controller or Watchbell?
Onkyo Controller ships an update every 2 months, and Watchbell daily. Most recently, Onkyo Controller was updated on September 22, 2026 and Watchbell on June 1, 2026.

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