Comparison

Mixing Station vs Vari

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

Head to head
About

Mixing Station

Control a wide range of digital audio mixers from a single, unified interface. Customize your workspace with unlimited layers, layouts, and themes. Features include RTA overlays, channel linking, and feedback detection.

Highlights
  • Unified UI for multiple mixer brands
  • Fully customizable UI, layers, and layouts
  • Unlimited DCAs
  • RTA overlays
  • Channel linking and ganging
  • Feedback detection
  • MIDI support for external control
Read full description

Mixing Station allows you to remote control digital mixers from various manufacturers in one unified UI. The following mixer series are supported: - Behringer X32 / M32 - Behringer XAir / MR - Behringer WING - A&H dLive - A&H Avantis - A&H GLD - A&H iLive - A&H CQ - A&H SQ / SQ+ - A&H Qu (new and legacy) - Midas HD96 - PreSonus StudioLive3 - Soundcraft Si / Vi / Ui - Mackie DL32S/16S DL32R DL1608 - Yamaha DM3 / DM7 / TF / CL / QL - TASCAM Sonicview - QSC TouchMix - Violet Audio dMix - Blackmagic Fairlight Live You can fully test the app without a license! Features: - Fully customizable UI - Create unlimited DCAs (IDCAs) - Re-Gain / Clipping protection - Customizable layers, layouts, channel strip and app theme - RTA overlays - Channel linking ganging - Gain reduction history for gate and dynamics - Peak hold for all meters - MIDI support for external control - High contrast mode for outdoor usage - Popgroups - Routing Matrix - Mix copy - Mixer independent channel presets and scenes - FX presets - Feedback detection for ringing out wedges - More features available depending on the connected mixer model - Community feature for sharing presets, themes and more with other users Note: This app is not a DAW! It does not play any audio! It is for remote controlling only. For more details visit the manual: https://mixingstation.app/ms-docs/feature-list/ End user licenses agreement: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Vari

Control your lighting console remotely from any location. Program, adjust, and manage your show with features like command line access, cue playback, and fader control. Ideal for lighting professionals seeking flexibility and precision.

Highlights
  • Remote console control
  • Command line access
  • Cue playback management
  • Groups & palettes editing
  • Advanced color picker
  • Fader control
  • Interactive magic sheets
  • Patch table editing
Features
Read full description

VL Remote – VariLite NEO Console Control Take full control of your VariLite NEO console from anywhere in the venue. VL Remote puts professional lighting control in the palm of your hand, giving you the freedom to program, adjust, and manage your show from the stage, the stalls, or anywhere in between. Command Line Access - Execute commands in real time, just as you would at the console. Make precise adjustments on the fly without interrupting your workflow. Cue Playback Control - Manage cue lists and trigger playback from wherever you need to be. Stay in sync with your show without being tied to the console. Groups & Palettes - Access, edit, and apply groups and palettes instantly to accelerate programming and keep your session moving. Advanced Color Picker - Dial in exact colors with a powerful, intuitive color picker designed for speed and precision in demanding production environments. Fader Control - Make real-time level adjustments remotely, giving you hands-on control without returning to the desk. Magic Sheets - Visualize your rig and select fixtures intuitively using fully interactive magic sheets. Patch Table - View and edit your patch data whether you're online or working offline — ideal for preparation and troubleshooting. Task Tracking - Keep your production organized with integrated task management, so nothing gets missed during busy shows. Messaging - Communicate directly with your console operators through built-in messaging, keeping your entire team in sync. VL Remote is built for lighting professionals who demand flexibility and precision. Whether you're on a world tour or setting up a one-night show, VL Remote keeps you in control — wherever you are.

Screenshots

Mixing Station4 screens
Vari4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Mixing Station at 78% against Vari's 0%. Mixing Station also leads on rating (4.5 vs 3.0) and ratings volume (608 vs 2). Vari's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 13). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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. Mixing Station sells 13 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month. Vari asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Mixing Station holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Mixing Station has 608 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 78% of Mixing Station's written reviews are positive against 0% of Vari's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Mixing Station ships an update fortnightly, Vari every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 26, 2026 and August 17, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Mixing Station versus Vari: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMixing StationVari
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (608 ratings) — better3.0 (2 ratings)
Positive reviews77.5% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings608 — better2
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size112 MB57 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDavid SchumannSignify Netherlands B.V.

Customer experience

Mixing Station

All ratings608 ratings
Positive85.4%
Neutral4.4%
Negative10.2%
Written reviews298 reviews
Positive77.5%
Neutral10.1%
Negative12.4%

Vari

All ratings2 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

Bugs and requests

Mixing Station

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Routing matrix display issues on some mixers
  • Inconsistent behavior when switching between mixer models

Requested features

4 requests
  • Ability to save and load custom layouts
  • Integrated multi-track recording functionality
  • Improved accessibility support for visually impaired users
  • Dedicated talkback microphone feature

Vari

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

13 purchases

Mixing Station

Subscriptions1
  • Everything Pack$6.991 Month
One-time12
  • Mackie DL$4.99
  • XAir$5.99
  • Soundcraft Si$5.99
Show 9 more
  • Soundcraft Ui$5.99
  • A&H CQ$5.99
  • Midas HD$6.99
  • XM32$6.99
  • A&H Qu (old)$6.99
  • A&H SQ$6.99
  • WING$6.99
  • A&H Avantis$11.99
  • A&H dLive$12.99
None

Vari

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Mixing Station free?
Mixing Station is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Vari free?
Vari is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Mixing Station or Vari?
Mixing Station is rated higher. Mixing Station averages 4.5 out of 5 from 608 ratings, while Vari averages 3.0 from 2 ratings.
Do Mixing Station or Vari have ads?
Neither Mixing Station nor Vari shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Mixing Station or Vari?
Mixing Station ships an update fortnightly, and Vari every 2 months. Most recently, Mixing Station was updated on September 26, 2026 and Vari on August 17, 2026.

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