Comparison

Onkyo Controller vs AV Remote

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

AV Remote

Control your Marantz or Denon AV receiver with ease. This app offers basic functions like power, volume control, and presets. It supports HEOS devices and integrates with Apple TV for a streamlined experience.

Highlights
  • Power on/off
  • Volume control
  • Volume presets
  • HEOS device detection
  • Apple TV integration
  • Quick Select feature
Features
Read full description

AV Remote is a simple remote that lets you control any recent Marantz or Denon AV receiver. There is an on/off button, volume controls, and three volume presets. That's it! If your receiver supports HEOS (Home Entertainment Operating System) then AV Remote should be able to automatically detect the device and let you control it. It's designed to work well with the Apple TV and its remote or app. A shortcut can also be configured to show the remote on your device. Settings are also available to use the AV receiver’s Quick Select feature and to show a power LED.

Screenshots

Onkyo Controller4 screens
AV Remote3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: AV Remote at 3.4 against Onkyo Controller's 2.2. AV Remote also leads on review sentiment (59% vs 26%). Onkyo Controller's advantage is update cadence (every 2 months vs every 23 months) and ratings volume (620 vs 23). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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

AV Remote holds the better App Store score, 3.4 against 2.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Onkyo Controller has 620 ratings behind it against 23, 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 59% of AV Remote's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Onkyo Controller ships an update every 2 months, AV Remote every 23 months. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and August 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Onkyo Controller versus AV Remote: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterOnkyo ControllerAV Remote
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.2 (620 ratings)3.4 (23 ratings) — better
Positive reviews25.7% of reviews58.8% of reviews — better
Number of ratings620 — better23
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 23 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better16.6
Further details — not scored
Size80 MB1 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer11 Trading Company LLCThe Iconfactory

Customer experience

Onkyo Controller

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

AV Remote

All ratings23 ratings
Positive60.9%
Neutral4.3%
Negative34.8%
Written reviews17 reviews
Positive58.8%
Neutral5.9%
Negative35.3%

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

AV Remote

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Onkyo Controller

No in-app purchases

None

AV Remote

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Onkyo Controller free?
Onkyo Controller is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is AV Remote free?
AV Remote is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Onkyo Controller or AV Remote?
AV Remote is rated higher. Onkyo Controller averages 2.2 out of 5 from 620 ratings, while AV Remote averages 3.4 from 23 ratings.
Do Onkyo Controller or AV Remote have ads?
Neither Onkyo Controller nor AV Remote shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Onkyo Controller or AV Remote?
Onkyo Controller ships an update every 2 months, and AV Remote every 23 months. Most recently, Onkyo Controller was updated on September 22, 2026 and AV Remote on August 31, 2026.

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