# Helvar ActiveAhead vs SmartControl Next

The clearest difference is update cadence: SmartControl Next at every 3 days against Helvar ActiveAhead's every 3 months. On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Helvar ActiveAhead ships an update every 3 months, SmartControl Next every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on September 8, 2026 and September 13, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Helvar ActiveAhead | SmartControl Next |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Every 3 days** |
| Size | 45 MB | 79 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.4 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Helvar Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/909199064) | [EFICIENCIA Y FUTURO INGENIERIA SL.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1624892711) |

## What reviewers say

### Helvar ActiveAhead

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/helvar-activeahead/id1489347017)

**In-app purchases:** none


### SmartControl Next

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smartcontrol-next/id6450666959)

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Helvar ActiveAhead free?

Helvar ActiveAhead is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is SmartControl Next free?

SmartControl Next is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do Helvar ActiveAhead or SmartControl Next have ads?

Neither Helvar ActiveAhead nor SmartControl Next shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Helvar ActiveAhead or SmartControl Next?

Helvar ActiveAhead ships an update every 3 months, and SmartControl Next every 3 days. Most recently, Helvar ActiveAhead was updated on September 8, 2026 and SmartControl Next on September 13, 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.*