Comparison

Visual Home vs Gateway V1

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

Head to head
About

Visual Home

Unify and control your smart home devices from a single dashboard. Visualize data from various sources and trigger actions on connected devices. Offers advanced features through an optional subscription.

Highlights
  • Unified dashboard for smart home data
  • Control connected devices
  • Support for Philips Hue, HomeKit, Homematic, and more
  • MQTT and HTTP REST client
  • JavaScript Lambda functions
  • Homescreen widgets
  • Favorites management
Features
Read full description

Visual displays the data from different sources on an unified dashboard. In addition it allows controlling and triggering actions on connected devices. Directly supported are currently - Philips Hue - HomeKit - Homematic - Ezcontrol XS1 - HTML Widgets - Open Weather Map - PVOutput.org The more experienced user can also use - MQTT Client (Subscribe, Publish) - HTTP REST Client - JavaScript Lambda functions # Information on HomeKit Visual offers to visualize the values of all HomeKit accessories with readable characteristics and scalar data formats (e.g. integer, float). In addition Visual can set values to writable characteristics with scalar data formats. # Information on the In-App purchase • This App offers an auto-renewing subscription "Advanced Features" that unlock extended features: - JavaScript Lambda functions - Search and filter datapoints - Trigger scenes defined in the Philips Hue bridge - Debug logging for all endpoints - Multi column dashboard - Homescreen Widgets - Favorites • This In-App purchase is an auto-renewing subscription • The subscription duration is 1 month • For the price please check the In-App purchase details on AppStore or in the App itself • Your iTunes account will be charged for the purchase at the time of subscription purchase. • The subscription is renewed automatically, unless the automatic renewal is terminated at least 24 hours before the end of the current subscription period. • Your iTunes account will be charged the same amount as the original subscription within 24 hours before the end of the current subscription period. • Subscriptions can be managed and auto-renewal can be disabled in your iTunes account after the original purchase.

About

Gateway V1

Control smart home devices and Tasmota-compatible hardware from your local network. Adjust settings, integrate new devices, and automate operations with custom timers and routines.

Highlights
  • Local device settings
  • Smart home device integration
  • Device switching via IR commands
  • Energy consumption display
  • Customizable timers and routines
  • Link radio, infrared, and WiFi devices
Features
Read full description

The app enables easy access to your IDS Core "Gateway V1" device to make settings and operation of connected Smart Home devices, devices with "Tasmota" SW can also be controlled. The "Gateway V1" / "Tasmota" devices are automatically found in the local network and the following functions are then available: - Make local settings (time, language, WiFi ...) - Integration of new compatible smart home devices (switch sockets / sensors) - Switching of taught-in devices (e.g. switch sockets / via IR commands to TV, AV devices) - Consumption / energy display of compatible devices (switch sockets) - Establish routines - Timer (single, weekdays, sunrise and sunset, temperature, humidity,  random) - Radio 433MHz / 866MHz, infrared, WiFi devices can be linked together e.g. - Radio switches switch radio sockets, WiFi sockets and / or  send IR commands to the TV / AV receiver - IR remote control switches radio-controlled socket, WiFi socket - The timer switches the outdoor lighting on at sunset / off  again at sunrise Requirement: IDS Core Gateway V1 - SW V1.0.16 or higher Tasmota - SW 6.6.0 or higher

Screenshots

Visual Home4 screens
Gateway V14 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Gateway V1 at 67% against Visual Home's 13%. Gateway V1 also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 4 months). On price, ads 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

Both are free to download. Visual Home sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $1.49 per month. Gateway V1 asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Visual Home ships an update every 4 months, Gateway V1 every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and October 12, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Visual Home versus Gateway V1: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterVisual HomeGateway V1
PriceFreeFree
Rating1.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews12.5% of reviews66.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemiumFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.614.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size9 MB2 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperAndreas BinnerIntelligent Digital Services GmbH

Customer experience

Visual Home

All ratings1 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%
Written reviews8 reviews
Positive12.5%
Neutral0.0%
Negative87.5%

Gateway V1

Written reviews6 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Visual Home

Subscriptions1
  • Advanced Features$1.491 Month
None

Gateway V1

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Visual Home free?
Visual Home is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Gateway V1 free?
Gateway V1 is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Visual Home or Gateway V1 have ads?
Neither Visual Home nor Gateway V1 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Visual Home or Gateway V1?
Visual Home ships an update every 4 months, and Gateway V1 every 2 months. Most recently, Visual Home was updated on September 24, 2026 and Gateway V1 on October 12, 2026.

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