Ctrl for iPad vs PromptBook
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Ctrl for iPad
Create, edit, and run custom control interfaces for multiple devices. Trigger commands using various protocols like MIDI, OSC, and HTTP. Share workspaces across devices and customize your interface with custom palettes and images.
- All-in-one interface for building and running workspaces
- Trigger multiple commands via MIDI, OSC, HTTP, TCP, UDP
- Mix and match control protocols
- Share workspaces across devices with file sharing and AirDrop
- Customizable control palettes and interface design
- Support for various control elements like buttons, sliders, and crossfaders
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- All in One Build, Edit and Run. All from one interface With Ctrl there's no need to ever leave the app. Create workspaces quickly, make changes in realtime and be ready to run your workspace all with a tap of a few buttons. - Mix and Match Trigger multiple commands using multiple protocols Build advanced interfaces with the flexible rules and command system. Trigger remote devices using MIDI, OSC, HTTP, TCP and UDP or mix them to control multiple device types. Playback audio locally and video over HDMI and AirPlay. - Share Work between device multiple devices with ease Why limit yourself to one device? Easily import and export workspaces and share between devices with file sharing and AirDrop support. - Customise Make Ctrl your own with custom control palettes Design colour palettes for your workspaces that match specifications Use the in-app palette builder or access pre-built styles online Set custom images or logos to suit your interface Set custom background images to make a completely unique interface design Controls - Buttons that allow control with single or multiple touches - Sliders that allow control with a variable value output - Steppers that allow variable control with set intervals - Crossfaders that allow control with a variable value output - Rotaries that allow control of rotation or parametric values - Descriptors that allow for information to be added your workspace - Custom built modules that control third party hardware & software - And more Control Protocols - MIDI / Musical Instrument Digital Interface - OSC / Open Sound Control - HTTP / HTTP/1.1 Methods, Headers, Body - TCP / Transmission Control Protocol - UDP / User Datagram Protocol - Audio Playback - Video Playback - sACN / Lighting Control [BETA] API Methods - MIDI - OSC - HTTP This app is provided by default to download at no cost. This trial version is designed for users to test the basic functions of the application, production use is not supported. Outputting from Ctrl for iPad will be disabled after 5 minutes of use without a Lite, Core or Pro license. If you are looking at Ctrl for iPad for a project or installation and want to try the full features of the app, contact our team through our website.
PromptBook
This professional tool allows stage managers and theatre technicians to import scripts, mark cues with precision, and annotate using Apple Pencil. It facilitates the creation of complete prompt books and offers real-time collaboration features for theatre production teams.
- Precision cue marking with text snapping
- Color-coded cue lists for departments
- Apple Pencil annotation and drawing
- Configurable page layouts and reader line
- PDF and CSV export options
- Real-time collaboration with shared sessions
- iCloud sync across devices
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PromptBook is the professional cue-marking tool built for stage managers and theatre technicians. Import your script, mark your cues, annotate with Apple Pencil, and produce a complete prompt book. MARK CUES WITH PRECISION • Drag to select text and place cue marks that snap to the script baseline • Double-tap to place point cues at exact positions • Place multiple cues from different lists at the same moment with multi-cue mode • Auto-generate standby cues that reference upcoming sequences (e.g. "Standby LX5-8, SFX4-9") • Support for Scores and mixed scripts ORGANISE YOUR SCRIPT • Create unlimited colour-coded cue lists — LX, SFX, VFX, Fly, or any custom department • Auto-renumber cues with configurable intervals and start points • Click-to-renumber for precise manual sequencing • Toggle list visibility without losing data Collaborative editing: * Share your script with the whole team * Script owner can make the script read only * Assign editors for each cue list or notes layer people can only edit what they are supposed to * Changes sync to all participant devices in real time * Make private notes layers * Works offline and resyncs on connection * When the share is stopped choose to keep a local editable copy MAKE NOTES • See handwritten notes made on iPad • Create named annotation layers — Director Notes, Sound Notes, Blocking, and more • Place floating text notes anywhere on the page FLEXIBLE LAYOUTS • 10 configurable page layouts: cross-page with annotation panels, on-page inline, or full-width • Show Mode with a configurable reader line — cues above fade, upcoming cues highlight • Light and Dark Modes IMPORT UPDATED SCRIPTS • Import new versions of scripts with version history and automatic cue transfer. AUTOMATIC CUE LISTS • Available in app or in various export formats based on the selected cue text. EXPORT & SHARE • Export your complete prompt book as PDF — binder layout or single-page inline • Export cue sheets as PDF or ETC EOS-compatible CSV • Choose which departments and annotation layers to include • Import PDF or Word document scripts with automatic OCR for scanned pages SYNC ACROSS DEVICES • iCloud sync keeps your scripts, cues, and annotations up to date • Annotation previews appear on Mac even without Apple Pencil • Viewer app on iPhone
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: PromptBook at 100% against Ctrl for iPad's 40%. PromptBook also leads on rating (5.0 vs 3.3) and update cadence (every 5 days vs every 2 months). Ctrl for iPad's advantage is monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs paid) and iOS requirement (15.6 vs 18.0). On price, ratings volume, 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
Both are free to download. Ctrl for iPad sells 6 one-off in-app purchases and PromptBook sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
PromptBook holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 7 and 3 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 40% of Ctrl for iPad's written reviews are positive against 100% of PromptBook's.
Ctrl for iPad ships an update every 2 months, PromptBook every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on September 26, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Ctrl for iPad | PromptBook |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.3 (7 ratings) | 5.0 (3 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 40.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 7 — better | 3 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 5 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases — better | Paid |
| Devices | iPad | iPhone, iPad, Mac — better |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 — better | 18.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 38 MB | 22 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | ON LX Limited | James Appleby |
Customer experience
Ctrl for iPad
PromptBook
In-app purchases
Ctrl for iPad
- Lite$14.99
- Lite to Core Upgrade$37.99
- Core to Pro Upgrade$44.99
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- Core$59.99
- Lite to Pro Upgrade$84.99
- Pro$99.99
PromptBook
- Promptbook Pro$24.99
Questions
Is Ctrl for iPad free?
Is PromptBook free?
Which has better reviews, Ctrl for iPad or PromptBook?
Do Ctrl for iPad or PromptBook have ads?
Which is updated more often, Ctrl for iPad or PromptBook?
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