Comparison

Paradigm Mobile Station vs DMXcat®

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

Head to head
About

Paradigm Mobile Station

Transform your handheld device into an eight-button control station for your Paradigm system. Customize the appearance with standard themes to match your setup. Requires Paradigm systems running software 3.1.0 or newer and a properly configured control processor.

Highlights
  • Eight-button control station
  • Customizable themes
  • Handheld device integration
  • Paradigm system compatibility
Features
Read full description

The Unison Paradigm Mobile Button Station App turns your handheld device into an eight button station, making it part of the control system. Using standard Paradigm themes you can customize the look of your mobile button station. This app requires Paradigm systems running software 3.1.0 or newer. Use of this app requires a properly configured Paradigm control processor and a wireless access point. etcconnect.com/ip

About

DMXcat®

Control, analyze, and test DMX lighting fixtures wirelessly from your smartphone. This system uses a hardware dongle and free mobile apps to simplify lighting control without complex consoles. It supports various functions like DMX and RDM control, fixture management, and DIP switch calculations.

Highlights
  • Wireless DMX and RDM control
  • Fixture control with built-in database
  • DMX analysis and testing
  • DIP switch calculator
  • Multi-language support
Features
Read full description

DMXcat® makes it easy for anyone to control, analyze, or test any DMX lighting fixture, whether it’s a simple LED PAR or a complex moving light. The system consists of a small hardware dongle (purchased separately) and a suite of free mobile applications. Together, they combine to bring wireless DMX and RDM control plus other useful lighting functions to the user’s smartphone. The DMXcat solves the problem faced by all users of modern lighting equipment: How to turn on and test DMX lighting gear without using a complicated lighting console. DMXcat app is now available in seven languages: Spanish, French, German, Italian, Korean, Japanese, and English. Software Applications There are currently five apps available for use with the DMXcat system: •DMX Controller: A single universe (512) DMX channel controller with two user interfaces (sliders or keypad). •Fixture Controller: Controls multi-attribute fixtures from a built in database. •RDM Controller: For bi-directional communication and control of RDM enabled devices. •DMX Tester: Analyze and adjust settings for transmitting or receiving DMX. •DIP switch calculator: Simplifies the configuring of DIP switches used for setting DMX addresses. Hardware The DMXcat’s hardware interface is a compact battery powered device which fits easily in a pocket or tool pouch or may be worn on a belt. It uses Bluetooth LE technology for communication with the smartphone applications (up to 50’ range). Without the limitations of being physically connected, the user can move about the workspace as needed with their smartphone and run the various apps while still using the phone for on-the-job communication. The device’s five pin XLRF connector/cable assembly allows it to be connected to a point in a DMX data chain to test or control of the various DMX/RDM functions. It is charged using a standard USB to Micro-USB cable and charger. Other features include a built-in LED flashlight, an audible alarm for locating a misplaced unit, XLR5M to XLR5M Turnaround, LED status indicator, and a removable belt clip with a split ring safety point. Optional accessories include XLR5M to RJ45 Adapter, XLR5M to XLR3F Adapter, XLR5M to XLR3M Turnaround, and a Belt Pouch.

Screenshots

Paradigm Mobile Station3 screens
DMXcat®4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: DMXcat® at Free against Paradigm Mobile Station's $2.99. DMXcat® also leads on update cadence (monthly vs every 13 months) and ratings volume (26 vs 2). Paradigm Mobile Station's advantage is review sentiment (100% vs 68%) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 17.0). On rating, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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

DMXcat® is free to download; Paradigm Mobile Station costs $2.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.0 for Paradigm Mobile Station against 3.9 for DMXcat®. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: DMXcat® has 26 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 100% of Paradigm Mobile Station's written reviews are positive against 68% of DMXcat®'s.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Paradigm Mobile Station ships an update every 13 months, DMXcat® monthly. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Paradigm Mobile Station versus DMXcat®: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterParadigm Mobile StationDMXcat®
Price$2.99Free — better
Rating4.0 (2 ratings) — better3.9 (26 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better68.4% of reviews
Number of ratings226 — better
Update frequencyEvery 13 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS12.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size25 MB43 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperElectronic Theatre Controls, Inc.City Theatrical, Inc

Customer experience

Paradigm Mobile Station

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

DMXcat®

All ratings26 ratings
Positive73.1%
Neutral3.8%
Negative23.1%
Written reviews19 reviews
Positive68.4%
Neutral5.3%
Negative26.3%

In-app purchases

None

Paradigm Mobile Station

No in-app purchases

None

DMXcat®

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Paradigm Mobile Station free?
Paradigm Mobile Station costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is DMXcat® free?
DMXcat® is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Paradigm Mobile Station or DMXcat®?
Paradigm Mobile Station is rated higher. Paradigm Mobile Station averages 4.0 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while DMXcat® averages 3.9 from 26 ratings.
Do Paradigm Mobile Station or DMXcat® have ads?
Neither Paradigm Mobile Station nor DMXcat® shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Paradigm Mobile Station or DMXcat®?
Paradigm Mobile Station ships an update every 13 months, and DMXcat® monthly. Most recently, Paradigm Mobile Station was updated on November 2, 2026 and DMXcat® on November 6, 2026.

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