Comparison

FMS Admin Controller vs Surface Remote for Companion

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

Head to head
About

FMS Admin Controller

Features
Read full description

Manage multiple FileMaker servers Control database server and custom web publishing configurations. Easily manage databases, users and schedules.

About

Surface Remote for Companion

This app transforms your iPhone or iPad into a customizable button surface for Bitfocus Companion. It connects seamlessly to your network, displaying live button states and allowing for custom dashboards and operator sharing. Enjoy a distraction-free experience with no ads or analytics.

Highlights
  • Connects to Companion as Satellite surface
  • Live button text, color, and press state
  • Customizable Dashboard screen
  • Operator mode for crew sharing
  • PIN lock integration
  • Keeps screen awake
  • Light/Dark/System theme
Features
Read full description

NO ADS. Surface Remote for Companion turns an iPhone or iPad into a button surface for Bitfocus Companion. It connects over Companion's Satellite API, on your own network, and shows your Companion buttons live. Built for control rooms, live events, streams, churches, schools and AV booths — anywhere you run a show from Companion and want one more set of buttons in your hand. WHAT IT DOES • Connects to Companion as a Satellite surface (WebSocket, port 16623 by default) • Finds Companion on your network by itself — tap it to connect, no address to type • Live button text, colour and press state from Companion • Tap or hold to press; page up and down; current page shown • Dashboard: pick the keys you need from any Companion page and put them on one screen • Operator mode: share chosen Dashboard keys with a crew member's phone by QR code; they see only those keys, and you can revoke them at any time • PIN lock: when Companion's PIN lock is on, unlock with the app's own keypad • Keeps the screen awake while connected • Light, Dark or System theme • Free to download and use • Remembers your last Companion and your surface settings, and connects on launch • Multi-Instance (in-app purchase, $9.99): save several servers, switch between them right on the surface, and on iPad run two surfaces at once • Auto reconnect when Companion restarts • Choose the grid: rows, columns, text size • Optional button artwork, or text-only for the fastest updates • Optional advanced layout with encoder controls • Diagnostics: latency, uptime, reconnects, Companion version, and a connection log you can share • Landscape layout for iPhone and iPad, or turn the surface upright with one tap • Settings in their own tab; the Connect and Settings screens turn with your phone PRIVACY No account. No ads. No analytics. The app talks only to the Companion server you use. Saved servers stay on your device. The camera is used only to scan an Operator QR code, on the device. REQUIREMENTS Bitfocus Companion running on a computer on the same network, with the Satellite WebSocket listener on. Dashboard and Operator mode need Companion 5 with Satellite subscriptions on. Surface Remote for Companion is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Bitfocus.

Screenshots

FMS Admin Controller4 screens
Surface Remote for Companion4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: FMS Admin Controller at none against Surface Remote for Companion's 1. FMS Admin Controller also leads on iOS requirement (12.2 vs 17.0). Surface Remote for Companion's advantage is update cadence (every 3 days vs every 10 days). 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. Surface Remote for Companion sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. FMS Admin Controller asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

FMS Admin Controller ships an update every 10 days, Surface Remote for Companion every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 6 level
FMS Admin Controller versus Surface Remote for Companion: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFMS Admin ControllerSurface Remote for Companion
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Number of ratings—2 — better
Update frequencyEvery 10 daysEvery 3 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
Monetization—Free with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS12.2 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size82 MB2 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer1-More-Thing Group SPRLThomas Brown

In-app purchases

None

FMS Admin Controller

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Surface Remote for Companion

One-time1
  • Multi-Instance$4.99

Questions

Is FMS Admin Controller free?
FMS Admin Controller is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Surface Remote for Companion free?
Surface Remote for Companion is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do FMS Admin Controller or Surface Remote for Companion have ads?
Neither FMS Admin Controller nor Surface Remote for Companion shows ads.
Which is updated more often, FMS Admin Controller or Surface Remote for Companion?
FMS Admin Controller ships an update every 10 days, and Surface Remote for Companion every 3 days. Most recently, FMS Admin Controller was updated on October 26, 2026 and Surface Remote for Companion on October 24, 2026.

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