Comparison

Streamlabs Controller vs LinkUp IRL

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

Head to head
About

Streamlabs Controller

Transform your mobile device into a powerful remote for your desktop live stream. Effortlessly switch scenes, control broadcast settings, manage audio, and view chat in real-time. Eliminate the need for expensive hardware and gain greater control over your content.

Highlights
  • Remote stream control
  • Scene switching
  • Broadcast control
  • Recording start/stop
  • Source visibility toggle
  • Audio mixer control
  • Chat and event viewer
Features
Read full description

Control your stream in Streamlab Desktop using your mobile device. Streamlabs Controller is the best hotkey system for when you stream from a computer! No more need for expensive hardware! Use your mobile phone as a remote controller to run your desktop broadcast and put even more power in your hands. Just link your device to Streamlabs Desktop using the same network that you are streaming from on your desktop or laptop and you can instantly: - Switch between scenes and scene collections - Control your broadcast - Start and stop the recording of your live stream - Toggle each and every source visibility - Mute and unmute audio sources - Precisely adjust the sound volume for your audio mixer sources - See your chats and recent events - Share your stream on social media

About

LinkUp IRL

This app helps you turn spontaneous ideas into concrete plans with friends. Float a low-pressure 'who's down?' to gauge interest, then lock in details like time and place. It focuses on real friendships, not meeting strangers, with clear RSVPs and organized circles.

Highlights
  • Float 'Feelers' to gauge interest
  • Lock in plans with time and place
  • Organize friends into 'Circles'
  • See honest headcounts in real-time
  • Control plan visibility and reach
  • Live Activities and widgets for plans
  • Smart notifications for plan updates
Features
Read full description

Stop letting "we should hang out soon" die in the group chat. LinkUp turns a spontaneous idea into a real plan with the people you actually want to see. HOW IT WORKS Float a Feeler. Not ready to commit? Drop a Feeler, a low-pressure "who's down?" and see who's actually interested before you lock anything in. Make it a Plan. Once people are in, lock the details: time, place, headcount. Your Feeler becomes a Plan, and everyone knows it's really happening. Show up. RSVPs are clear and honest. See who's Down to Go and who's Locked In, so you always know who's actually coming. BUILT FOR REAL FRIENDSHIPS Circles: organize your people and invite the right crew for the right plan, every time. Honest headcounts: watch spots fill up in real time, from open to almost full to at capacity. Control your reach: choose plan visibility and keep your name off a plan within your circles when you want to stay low-key. Live Activities & widgets: keep your next plan on your Lock Screen and Home Screen so nothing slips. Smart notifications: get nudged when a Feeler heats up, a plan locks in, or it's time to head out. WHY LINKUP LinkUp is for making plans with the friends you already have, not for meeting strangers. You only see plans from people you're connected with. No noisy feeds. No fake invites to things you'll never attend. No endless "maybe." Just a fast, warm way to go from idea to in-person; link up, show up. LINKUP+ LinkUp is free to use. LinkUp+ is coming soon with extra features to plan more, with more people, and every founding member gets it free. Real plans. Real people. Download LinkUp and make the next one actually happen.

Screenshots

Streamlabs Controller4 screens
LinkUp IRL4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: LinkUp IRL at none against Streamlabs Controller's 2. LinkUp IRL also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.6) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months). Streamlabs Controller's advantage is ratings volume (2.2K vs 1) and iOS requirement (16.0 vs 26.0). 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. Streamlabs Controller sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $34.99 per month. LinkUp IRL asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

LinkUp IRL holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Streamlabs Controller has 2.2K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Streamlabs Controller ships an update every 2 months, LinkUp IRL every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and October 2, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Streamlabs Controller versus LinkUp IRL: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterStreamlabs ControllerLinkUp IRL
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (2.2K ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews28.4% of reviews—
Number of ratings2.2K — better1
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS16.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size72 MB21 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperStreamlabsAppHus, LLC

Customer experience

Streamlabs Controller

All ratings2,218 ratings
Positive88.6%
Neutral3.3%
Negative8.1%
Written reviews331 reviews
Positive28.4%
Neutral9.7%
Negative61.9%

LinkUp IRL

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

Streamlabs Controller

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • QR code scanner not working
  • App crashing on launch
  • Inability to connect to PC
  • Scenes not syncing properly
  • Audio controls not functioning

Requested features

5 requests
  • Ability to edit text on sources
  • Option to use without Streamlabs OBS
  • Support for more platforms (e.g. Xbox)
  • Customizable button layout
  • Improved chat integration

LinkUp IRL

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Streamlabs Controller

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Ultra$34.991 Month
  • Yearly Ultra$229.991 Year
None

LinkUp IRL

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Streamlabs Controller free?
Streamlabs Controller is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is LinkUp IRL free?
LinkUp IRL is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Streamlabs Controller or LinkUp IRL?
LinkUp IRL is rated higher. Streamlabs Controller averages 4.6 out of 5 from 2.2K ratings, while LinkUp IRL averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Streamlabs Controller or LinkUp IRL have ads?
Neither Streamlabs Controller nor LinkUp IRL shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Streamlabs Controller or LinkUp IRL?
Streamlabs Controller ships an update every 2 months, and LinkUp IRL every 3 weeks. Most recently, Streamlabs Controller was updated on October 1, 2026 and LinkUp IRL on October 2, 2026.

Other comparisons