# Smart Device Controller vs UTM SE

The clearest difference is rating: UTM SE at 3.8 against Smart Device Controller's 3.3. UTM SE also leads on review sentiment (55% vs 27%) and ratings volume (554 vs 6). Smart Device Controller's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3) and iOS requirement (10.3 vs 14.0). On price, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. UTM SE sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Smart Device Controller asks for nothing beyond the download.

UTM SE holds the better App Store score, 3.8 against 3.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: UTM SE has 554 ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 27% of Smart Device Controller's written reviews are positive against 55% of UTM SE's.

Smart Device Controller ships an update every 3 months, UTM SE every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on September 29, 2026 and October 2, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Smart Device Controller | UTM SE |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.3 (6 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smart-device-controller/id1372692970/reviews) | **[3.8 (554 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/utm-se-retro-pc-emulator/id1564628856/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 6 | **554** |
| Positive reviews | 27.3% of reviews | **54.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 months** | Every 4 months |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 26 MB | 1.6 GB |
| Requires iOS | **10.3** | 14.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Vision Pro** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [SEKISUI KINZOKU CO., LTD](https://appshunter.io/developer/1343709801) | [Turing Software, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1534511649) |

## What reviewers say

### Smart Device Controller

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smart-device-controller/id1372692970)

Transform your smartphone into a wireless remote for model trains. It offers compatibility with Soundbox, allowing for operation or use as a wireless power pack without the Soundbox. Control your model train setups with ease.

**Highlights:** Wireless model train operation, Soundbox compatibility, Use as wireless power pack, Smartphone remote control

**In-app purchases:** none


### UTM SE

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/utm-se-retro-pc-emulator/id1564628856)

Experience classic computing by running old-school games and software. This emulator supports various display modes and processor architectures, allowing you to run pre-built systems or configure your own.

**Highlights:** Run classic software and games, VGA and terminal modes, Emulates x86, ARM, PPC, RISC-V, Pre-built or custom machine configurations, Built from QEMU

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Transistor | $0.99 | one-time |
| Chip | $4.99 | one-time |
| Computer | $9.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Great app that can run Windows and macOS
- 👍 Useful for nostalgic reasons
- 👍 Can run Linux VMs

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Slow performance, especially on older devices
- 🐛 Crashes and freezes
- 🐛 Display and boot issues
- 🐛 Incompatible with some ISOs and VMs

**Reported bugs**

- Inability to select .img files as floppy boot images
- Crashes when trying to leave a VM
- Crashes when adjusting virtual CD-ROM drive settings

**Requested features**

- Add support for JIT compilation to improve performance
- Improve Magic Keyboard support
- Allow exporting VMs to run on other platforms


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Smart Device Controller free?

Smart Device Controller is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is UTM SE free?

UTM SE is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Smart Device Controller or UTM SE?

UTM SE is rated higher. Smart Device Controller averages 3.3 out of 5 from 6 ratings, while UTM SE averages 3.8 from 554 ratings.

### Do Smart Device Controller or UTM SE have ads?

Neither Smart Device Controller nor UTM SE shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Smart Device Controller or UTM SE?

Smart Device Controller ships an update every 3 months, and UTM SE every 4 months. Most recently, Smart Device Controller was updated on September 29, 2026 and UTM SE on October 2, 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.*