# Shure PLAY vs Headphone Control

Shure PLAY and Headphone Control both sit at 4.5 stars, but that hides the real split: 44% of Shure PLAY's written reviews are positive against 26% of Headphone Control's. Shure PLAY also leads on ratings volume (1.2K vs 127) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 4 months). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.5 for Shure PLAY against 4.6 for Headphone Control. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Shure PLAY has 1.2K ratings behind it against 127, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 44% of Shure PLAY's written reviews are positive against 26% of Headphone Control's.

Shure PLAY ships an update every 2 months, Headphone Control every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 19, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Shure PLAY | Headphone Control |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.5 (1.2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shure-play/id1326288926/reviews) | **[4.6 (127 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/headphone-control/id1575491413/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **1.2K** | 127 |
| Positive reviews | **43.6% of reviews** | 26.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 months** | Every 4 months |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 71 MB | 17 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **16.0** |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Shure](https://appshunter.io/developer/849092213) | [Yamaha Corporation](https://appshunter.io/developer/353469356) |

## What reviewers say

### Shure PLAY

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shure-play/id1326288926)

This app allows users to personalize their Shure AONIC wireless listening products. It offers advanced EQ customization, adjustable noise cancellation, and a built-in high-resolution music player for an enhanced audio experience.

**Highlights:** Customize Shure AONIC product settings, Parametric EQ for audio customization, Save EQ settings to device, Adjust Environment Mode, Active Noise Cancellation control, High-res music player

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Great sound quality
- 👍 Intuitive and easy to use
- 🎨 Excellent EQ customization
- 🔋 Good battery life
- 🎧 Works well with Shure headphones

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and freezes
- 🔌 Connectivity issues with some devices
- 🔊 Volume control problems
- 📚 Limited music library integration
- 🕰️ Slow app performance

**Reported bugs**

- Inability to update firmware
- Inconsistent Bluetooth pairing
- Music playback issues after iOS updates
- Unreliable battery level reporting

**Requested features**

- Ability to use EQ with other music apps
- Playlist import and management
- Firmware update support for more Shure products
- Improved multi-device connectivity
- Customizable button controls


### Headphone Control

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/headphone-control/id1575491413)

Tailor your audio experience with this app, offering custom adjustments and personalization for select Yamaha headphones and earbuds. Control ambient sound, listening care, and equalizer settings. Access user guides and update firmware for supported models.

**Highlights:** Adjust Ambient Sound, Customize Listening Care, Personalize Equalizer (EQ), Access User Guide, Update Firmware

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Shure PLAY free?

Shure PLAY is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Headphone Control free?

Headphone Control is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Shure PLAY or Headphone Control?

Headphone Control is rated higher. Shure PLAY averages 4.5 out of 5 from 1.2K ratings, while Headphone Control averages 4.6 from 127 ratings.

### Do Shure PLAY or Headphone Control have ads?

Neither Shure PLAY nor Headphone Control shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Shure PLAY or Headphone Control?

Shure PLAY ships an update every 2 months, and Headphone Control every 4 months. Most recently, Shure PLAY was updated on October 19, 2026 and Headphone Control on October 13, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*