Comparison

Bluetooth+ for Blackmagic vs BM Controller

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

Head to head
About

Bluetooth+ for Blackmagic

Control Blackmagic cameras remotely via Bluetooth. Manage multiple cameras simultaneously, adjust settings like white balance, frame rate, and ISO, and even control focus and zoom with external controllers.

Highlights
  • External controller support (Tilta Nucleus)
  • Multi-cam control (up to 12 cameras)
  • Camera grouping and custom settings
  • Remote focus and zoom control
  • Start/stop recording
  • Adjust white balance, ISO, frame rate
  • Digital slate metadata entry
Features
Read full description

-- NEW External Controllers -- Connect Tilta Nucleus Nano & Nucleus-M to control Focus, Iris and Zoom, as well as Start & Stop Recording. Zoom and Focus control supported on Pocket 4K only. This is part of the new Pro feature set, which also includes Multi-Cam mode. -- MULTI-CAM MODE -- Multi-Cam Mode is now part of the Pro feature set, and includes these fantastic features: • Control up to 12 Blackmagic cameras at once • Create up to 3 distinct Control Groups, to give you fine-grain control over different settings for different cameras • You can choose to have changes made on one camera automatically update all the other cameras in its Control Group, or control everything straight from Bluetooth+ • Give your cameras Nicknames to quick, easy control Multi-Cam gives you control over the following features synced across an entire Group: • Start/Stop Recording • White Balance + Tint • Project frame rate (off-speed frame rates not supported) • Shutter Angle/Speed • ISO • Overlays • Slate • Trigger Auto-focus You can still control all other settings on a camera-by-camera basis, including: • Trigger stills capture • Iris control • Focus + Zoom (on supported lenses) • Codec + Resolution • Playback control • You can also set ISO specifically, rather than by camera group And of course, everyone has access to all of these amazing features: • Follow Focus (limited support for EF Mount cameras). See below for more info • Zoom Control on supported lenses • Trigger Stills capture • Record Start/Stop • White Balance + Tint, including 5 helpful presets and Auto White Balance • Audio Controls • Trigger Autofocus (for supported electronic lenses with autofocus enabled on lens) • Off-speed frame rates • Aperture (for supported electronic lenses) • Shutter Angle • ISO • Auto-Exposure Control • Active Card • Power On/Off • Monitor Overlays • Codec & Resolution • Enter metadata in the Digital Slate (including location data from your iPhone or iPad if you give permission) • Control Lock - locks critical controls while recording, preventing accidental settings changes during takes -- Follow Focus -- You can now pull focus wirelessly right from your iPhone or iPad. There are some limitations outlined below. • Currently only fully supports Pocket 4K, but as of v1.4 we now have limited support for EF mount cameras - Pocket 6K, Ursa Mini Pro G1 & G2 • The camera does not supply the app with any information on the lenses current focus distance, so the app will not update in real time if you pull focus manually on the lens • Due to the nature of bluetooth, focus pulls may not be 100% smooth. It works well for nice slow pulls, but fast pulls my not feel entirely natural and organic. Unfortunately this is a limitation of the available technology. • On EF mount cameras, we can only offset focus from its current position, with no broader knowledge of where the lens is in its focus range. This means that focus marks are not possible. In addition, focus pulls on EF mount cameras can be quite jerky depending on the lens in use. -- Playback Control -- With Bluetooth+ you can control the playback of clips right from your iOS device. There are some notable limitations at this point. Currently you can: • Start playing a clip, either forwards or backwards • Navigate between clips, either forwards or backwards For now, you will not be able to: • Pause a clip that is already playing • Change the speed of a clip that is already playing • Control clip looping -- Zoom Control -- Control the zoom level on supported lenses. For the most part, this will only work on MFT lenses with electronic zoom. We are currently unaware of EF lenses that support this feature -- Slate-Only Mode -- As the name suggests, this feature locks the app into Slate-Only mode, without the ability to change critical camera settings or start/stop recording. This means you can let an assistant keep metadata up to date without the fear of interfering with important camera settings.

About

BM Controller

Wirelessly control compatible Blackmagic Design cameras using a dedicated API. Adjust essential camera settings like ISO, white balance, focus, and recording parameters in real-time for a streamlined video production workflow.

Highlights
  • Wireless camera control
  • Adjust camera settings
  • Real-time parameter adjustments
  • Audio level monitoring
  • Recording start/stop
  • Visual feedback system
Read full description

BM Controller is a powerful utility that lets you wirelessly control supported Blackmagic Design cameras using the Camera Control API. Built for reliability and speed, it gives filmmakers and creators a clean, responsive interface to adjust essential camera parameters in real time. Designed specifically for iPhone, BM Controller communicates with your Blackmagic camera over the network. Once connected, you can remotely access and configure a wide range of camera settings — without physically touching the hardware. The following models implement the same Camera Control API version (v1.0) and are supported: • Micro Studio Camera 4K G2 • Cinema Camera 6K • Studio Camera 4K Plus • Studio Camera 4K Plus G2 • Studio Camera 4K Pro • Studio Camera 4K Pro G2 • Studio Camera 6K Pro • URSA Broadcast G2 Note: These models are supported by the API specification. BM Controller interfaces with any compatible device using the documented endpoints but does not perform additional validation per model. Certain features, such as zoom or autofocus, depend on the physical capabilities of the camera and lens. If a lens does not support electronic zoom, the zoom control will not produce any effect. Core Features - Free Edition Single Device Control • Control one Blackmagic camera at a time with direct network communication. Comprehensive Camera Settings • Adjust shutter speed (with Auto), ISO, white balance, tint, aperture (with Auto), focus, zoom, focal length, gain, device codec, frame-rate, and off-speed recording. Audio Control • View and modify levels for two audio channels, and choose from available audio inputs per channel. Recording Control • Start and stop recordings, monitor recording status, and view real-time media availability. Visual Feedback System • Tally indicators and lock states alert you to external recordings or missing media. Built-In Support Resources • Includes a connectivity guide, accessories reference, and device compatibility list — all available from within the app. BM Controller App for the Video Production industry BM Controller is ideal for mobile content creators, videographers, and technicians working with Blackmagic Design cameras in live production or studio environments. Whether you’re working from a handheld rig or managing a remote setup, BM Controller streamlines your workflow and enhances camera interaction. Future Development We are actively working on new features, including multi-camera support, simultaneous device. These will be part of our upcoming Studio Edition — a premium upgrade designed for professionals who require greater flexibility and control. Stay tuned via the Resources tab for updates. All existing and planned features can be reviewed in the Resources tab under Release Notes.

Screenshots

Bluetooth+ for Blackmagic4 screens
BM Controller4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: BM Controller at Free against Bluetooth+ for Blackmagic's $5.99. BM Controller also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 2) and rating (5.0 vs 4.7). Bluetooth+ for Blackmagic's advantage is ratings volume (1.2K vs 2) and device support (3 vs 1). On ads 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

BM Controller is free to download; Bluetooth+ for Blackmagic costs $5.99 up front. Bluetooth+ for Blackmagic sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. BM Controller asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

BM Controller holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Bluetooth+ for Blackmagic has 1.2K ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Bluetooth+ for Blackmagic versus BM Controller: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBluetooth+ for BlackmagicBM Controller
Price$5.99Free — better
Rating4.7 (1.2K ratings)5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews60.4% of reviews—
Number of ratings1.2K — better2
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeks—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS13.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size17 MB7 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperWe Are Empire PTY LTDNovaly Solutions

Customer experience

Bluetooth+ for Blackmagic

All ratings1,155 ratings
Positive93.3%
Neutral2.5%
Negative4.2%
Written reviews265 reviews
Positive60.4%
Neutral14.3%
Negative25.3%

BM Controller

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

Bluetooth+ for Blackmagic

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Recording issues with high frame rates
  • Incorrect codec/resolution display for some cameras
  • Focus control not working with certain lenses
  • App freezes during playback

Requested features

6 requests
  • Add ability to take photos remotely
  • Implement live video feed from camera
  • Allow custom focus preset points
  • Improve focus control sensitivity and UI
  • Add support for more camera models
Show 1 more
  • Integrate Apple Watch remote control

BM Controller

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Bluetooth+ for Blackmagic

One-time2
  • Multi-Cam Control$9.99
  • Pro$9.99
None

BM Controller

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Bluetooth+ for Blackmagic free?
Bluetooth+ for Blackmagic costs $5.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is BM Controller free?
BM Controller is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Bluetooth+ for Blackmagic or BM Controller?
BM Controller is rated higher. Bluetooth+ for Blackmagic averages 4.7 out of 5 from 1.2K ratings, while BM Controller averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.
Do Bluetooth+ for Blackmagic or BM Controller have ads?
Neither Bluetooth+ for Blackmagic nor BM Controller shows ads.

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