Comparison

Smart Projector Control vs Backstage Studio

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Smart Projector Control

Control Panasonic projectors remotely from your smartphone. Connect via Wi-Fi or USB to operate the projector and monitor its status directly from your device.

Highlights
  • Remote projector operation
  • Projector status monitoring
  • Wi-Fi connectivity
  • USB connectivity
  • Compatibility with Panasonic projectors
Features
Read full description

Smart Projector Control is a smartphone application for operating Panasonic projectors. By installing Smart Projector Control onto your iPhone, and using wireless LAN (Wi-Fi) or USB to connect to a network containing a Panasonic projector, you can operate the projector and check the projector status from your smartphone. ---- Requirements ---- OS: iOS 17 / 18 / 26 iPhone 16 / iPhone 15 / iPhone 14 Pro / iPhone 13 / iPhone 13 mini / iPhone 12 / iPhone 11 / iPhone XS / iPhone XS Max / iPhone XR ---- Compatible Projectors (all U, E, EA versions of the below models are compatible) ---- See the following website for supported projectors. https://docs.connect.panasonic.com/projector/download/application/smartpj/

About

Backstage Studio

Features
Read full description

Ninety seconds to doors. The house lights dim, the room goes quiet, and everyone backstage looks to you. That moment is why Backstage Studio exists. SHOW MODE When the show starts, you need one control room — not ten apps. Show Mode is a full-screen live rundown with a stage clock synced to the server. You drive the show cue by cue: Next, Done, shift ±5 minutes with an automatic cascade down the plan, Pause and Undo. Every action is saved locally the moment it happens, so the show survives network drops, app crashes and restarts — and resumes exactly where you left off. The show-caller lock ensures only one operator is in control while the rest of the crew follows along in real time. Red night mode preserves your night vision in dark venues, and the screen stays awake through the whole show. LIVE ACTIVITY AND STANDBY Current and next cue with a countdown in the Dynamic Island and on your Lock Screen. Put the phone on a charger at the mixing desk, and StandBy turns it into a dedicated stage clock. APPLE WATCH Now and next on your wrist, with a countdown and a haptic tap on every cue change and two minutes before the next one. As the operator, you can advance to the next cue straight from the watch. WIDGETS Next event and Today's rundown on your Home Screen and Lock Screen, so you have the overview before you open the app. SHARE WITH QR Put up a QR poster backstage. Artists and freelance crew scan it and see the rundown instantly — nothing to install. Only public fields are shared. FOR AGENCIES Backstage Studio is built for event agencies, producers and crew. The web app owns the planning — clients, proposals, budgets, HSE and invoicing. The iOS app owns the execution: the day of the show. Sign-in is invitation-based; you must be invited by an agency to get in. Sign in with Apple or Google, and the app carries your agency's own name and colors. Learn more at backstagestudio.app.

Screenshots

Smart Projector Control4 screens
Backstage Studio4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Backstage Studio at every 2 weeks against Smart Projector Control's every 5 months. Backstage Studio also leads on device support (4 vs 1). On price, ads, in-app purchases and iOS requirement 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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Smart Projector Control ships an update every 5 months, Backstage Studio every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Smart Projector Control versus Backstage Studio: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSmart Projector ControlBackstage Studio
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.9 (18 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews83.3% of reviews—
Number of ratings18 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 5 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS17.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size20 MB33 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPanasonic Connect Co., Ltd.Trond Klæboe

In-app purchases

None

Smart Projector Control

No in-app purchases

None

Backstage Studio

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Smart Projector Control free?
Smart Projector Control is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Backstage Studio free?
Backstage Studio is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Smart Projector Control or Backstage Studio have ads?
Neither Smart Projector Control nor Backstage Studio shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Smart Projector Control or Backstage Studio?
Smart Projector Control ships an update every 5 months, and Backstage Studio every 2 weeks. Most recently, Smart Projector Control was updated on October 8, 2026 and Backstage Studio on October 6, 2026.

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