Comparison

Onkyo Controller vs AVR Controller

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

AVR Controller

Easily manage your compatible Denon or Marantz AVR's power, volume, and sound modes. This third-party app offers quick access to essential controls, preventing accidental changes to your preferred settings.

Highlights
  • Power control
  • Volume adjustment
  • Quick select sound modes
  • Accidental touch prevention
  • Syncs with AVR status
  • Network capability support
Read full description

Download AVR Controller and experience AVR control that looks as good as your AVR sounds. AVR Controller isn't a typical remote app. It takes inspiration from the front of your receiver, with thoughtfully spaced controls and a physical-style volume knob that gives it a high-end, cinematic feel — like it belongs alongside your home theater equipment. Whether you're settling in for movie night or enjoying your favorite music, AVR Controller feels more like a dedicated control panel than a basic utility. Compatible with network-capable Denon and Marantz AVRs from 2014 and later. AVR Controller is a third-party application and is not endorsed by or associated with Denon or Marantz. FEATURES • Fast startup, discovery, and responsive control • Power, volume and mute control • Quick Select control for fast access to your favorite input and sound mode combinations • Displays the current sound mode • Multi-zone control for supported AVRs • Multi-receiver support • Automatically stays in sync when AVR settings are changed outside the app • Automatically finds your AVR — even if its IP address changes • Movie Mode dims the screen to reduce distractions and save battery; tap or pick up your iPhone to bring it back instantly • Demo Mode lets you explore AVR Controller without connecting to a receiver ABOUT QUICK SELECT Quick Select is a built-in feature of Denon and Marantz AVRs. It lets you save and quickly recall combinations of settings such as input, volume and sound mode. AVR Controller gives you fast access to the Quick Selects already configured on your receiver. TIPS • For reliable network control, set your AVR's Network Control setting to “Always On.” This may increase standby power consumption. • Your AVR must be connected to your local network using Ethernet or Wi-Fi. • A static IP address is not required, but is best for fastest startup. AVR Controller can automatically find your receiver again if its IP address changes.

Screenshots

Onkyo Controller4 screens
AVR Controller4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: AVR Controller at 100% against Onkyo Controller's 26%. AVR Controller also leads on rating (3.9 vs 2.2) and update cadence (monthly vs every 2 months). Onkyo Controller's advantage is ratings volume (620 vs 20) and device support (3 vs 1). 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

AVR Controller holds the better App Store score, 3.9 against 2.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Onkyo Controller has 620 ratings behind it against 20, 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 100% of AVR Controller's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Onkyo Controller ships an update every 2 months, AVR Controller monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 11, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Onkyo Controller versus AVR Controller: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterOnkyo ControllerAVR Controller
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.2 (620 ratings)3.9 (20 ratings) — better
Positive reviews25.7% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings620 — better20
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.0 — better18.6
Further details — not scored
Size80 MB4 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer11 Trading Company LLCPeter Schwenk

Customer experience

Onkyo Controller

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

AVR Controller

All ratings20 ratings
Positive70.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative30.0%
Written reviews9 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

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

AVR Controller

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Onkyo Controller

No in-app purchases

None

AVR Controller

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Onkyo Controller free?
Onkyo Controller is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is AVR Controller free?
AVR Controller is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Onkyo Controller or AVR Controller?
AVR Controller is rated higher. Onkyo Controller averages 2.2 out of 5 from 620 ratings, while AVR Controller averages 3.9 from 20 ratings.
Do Onkyo Controller or AVR Controller have ads?
Neither Onkyo Controller nor AVR Controller shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Onkyo Controller or AVR Controller?
Onkyo Controller ships an update every 2 months, and AVR Controller monthly. Most recently, Onkyo Controller was updated on September 22, 2026 and AVR Controller on September 11, 2026.

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