# VGamepad Lite vs PortalVR Controller

The clearest difference is review sentiment: PortalVR Controller at 100% against VGamepad Lite's 37%. PortalVR Controller also leads on rating (5.0 vs 3.2) and in-app purchases (none vs 2). VGamepad Lite's advantage is ratings volume (107 vs 2). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. VGamepad Lite sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. PortalVR Controller asks for nothing beyond the download.

PortalVR Controller holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: VGamepad Lite has 107 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 37% of VGamepad Lite's written reviews are positive against 100% of PortalVR Controller's.

VGamepad Lite ships an update every 2 weeks, PortalVR Controller every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | VGamepad Lite | PortalVR Controller |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.2 (107 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vgamepad-lite/id1477007195/reviews) | **[5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/portalvr-controller/id6752579178/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **107** | 2 |
| Positive reviews | 36.9% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | **Every 3 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 111 MB | 3 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [PJSOFTCO](https://appshunter.io/developer/1454168690) | [Portal VR, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1839993044) |

## What reviewers say

### VGamepad Lite

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vgamepad-lite/id1477007195)

Transform your phone into a physical game controller for your PC. Enjoy customizable buttons, motion controls, and haptic feedback for an immersive gaming experience. Supports standard controller emulation and basic mouse/keyboard functions.

**Highlights:** Emulates standard controllers, Motion control using phone sensors, Customizable button layout, Haptic feedback, Game capture button, AR Body Tracking (iPhone XS+)

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| VGamepad Monthly Subscription | $0.99 | per month |
| VGamepad Monthly Subscription | $1.99 | per month |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast connection speed between phone and PC
- 👍 Straightforward setup process with video tutorials
- 🎮 Works well with Steam games and emulators
- 🔧 Customizable button mapping and controller size
- 💰 Affordable or free alternative to physical controllers

**What reviewers complain about**

- 📢 Excessive ads interrupting gameplay every 5 minutes
- 🐛 Buttons frequently unresponsive or detect wrong inputs
- 🔌 Difficult connection setup requiring IP address entry
- ❌ App doesn't work after connection established
- 💳 Paywall after initial free use

**Reported bugs**

- Connection fails despite correct IP and password entry
- Ads appear but don't load, blocking app usage
- RT button and other buttons not functioning
- Buttons disappear after rearranging
- Mouse cursor moves in background during gameplay

**Requested features**

- Bluetooth connectivity for easier pairing
- Mac OS support for server-side application
- Nintendo Switch controller support
- Remove or reduce ad frequency with paid option
- Apple TV compatibility


### PortalVR Controller

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/portalvr-controller/id6752579178)

Transform your smartphone into a virtual reality controller for an immersive VR experience. Seamlessly connect and navigate your VR environment with intuitive touch controls.

**Highlights:** Turns phone into VR controller, Use with PortalVR, Intuitive touch controls, Seamless connection

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is VGamepad Lite free?

VGamepad Lite is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is PortalVR Controller free?

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

### Which has better reviews, VGamepad Lite or PortalVR Controller?

PortalVR Controller is rated higher. VGamepad Lite averages 3.2 out of 5 from 107 ratings, while PortalVR Controller averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.

### Do VGamepad Lite or PortalVR Controller have ads?

Neither VGamepad Lite nor PortalVR Controller shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, VGamepad Lite or PortalVR Controller?

VGamepad Lite ships an update every 2 weeks, and PortalVR Controller every 3 days. Most recently, VGamepad Lite was updated on October 21, 2026 and PortalVR Controller on October 10, 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.*