# myMerlinPulse™ vs Patient Controller RC

The clearest difference is rating: myMerlinPulse™ at 3.7 against Patient Controller RC's 3.1. Patient Controller RC's advantage is update cadence (every 4 months vs every 20 months). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume and ads there is nothing between them.

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

myMerlinPulse™ holds the better App Store score, 3.7 against 3.1. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 57 and 112 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 24% of myMerlinPulse™'s written reviews are positive against 22% of Patient Controller RC's.

myMerlinPulse™ ships an update every 20 months, Patient Controller RC every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and August 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | myMerlinPulse™ | Patient Controller RC |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[3.7 (57 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mymerlinpulse/id1491399428/reviews)** | [3.1 (112 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/patient-controller-rc-us/id6444318464/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 57 | **112** |
| Positive reviews | **23.5% of reviews** | 21.7% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 20 months | **Every 4 months** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 140 MB | 79 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 15.6.1 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [St. Jude Medical, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/591520737) | [Abbott](https://appshunter.io/developer/402314324) |

## What reviewers say

### myMerlinPulse™

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mymerlinpulse/id1491399428)

This app enables remote monitoring of your Abbott Bluetooth-enabled heart device for your healthcare provider. It securely transfers heart rhythm information and provides device status updates. Receive notifications for significant changes in your implanted device's performance.

**Highlights:** Remote monitoring of ICD/CRT-D devices, Bluetooth® wireless data transfer, Check device connection status, View transmission history, Cardiac device battery status, Manual transmission capability, Performance change notifications

**In-app purchases:** none


### Patient Controller RC

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/patient-controller-rc-us/id6444318464)

Manage your Abbott neuromodulation device programs from your smartphone. Control stimulation settings, monitor your device, and connect with your clinician remotely for adjustments and telehealth sessions.

**Highlights:** Turn stimulation ON/OFF, Select stimulation programs, Adjust stimulation amplitude, Check device battery, Monitor charging, Remote clinician connection, Secure in-app video chat

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- ✅ Effective pain relief and device functionality
- 👍 User-friendly interface and easy control
- 🔧 Works well on supported iPhone models
- 💪 Reliable implant performance for chronic pain management
- 🤝 Good customer support in some regions

**What reviewers complain about**

- ❌ Severely outdated iPhone compatibility (lags 2-3+ years behind current models)
- 📱 Forces users to carry multiple phones simultaneously
- 🐢 Extremely slow update cycle for new device support
- 🔌 Provided iPhone SE controller has poor battery life
- 🔗 Frequent app disconnections requiring restarts

**Reported bugs**

- App incompatible with iPhone 15, 16, 17 series
- Frequent disconnections from device requiring app restart
- App crashes and won't open
- Password update rejection
- Incompatibility with iOS 18.3.2 and newer

**Requested features**

- Support for iPhone 15, 16, 17 and newer models
- Android app version
- Apple Watch app integration
- Sleep timer functionality
- User-adjustable intermittent pulse programs


## Frequently asked questions

### Is myMerlinPulse™ free?

myMerlinPulse™ is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Patient Controller RC free?

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

### Which has better reviews, myMerlinPulse™ or Patient Controller RC?

myMerlinPulse™ is rated higher. myMerlinPulse™ averages 3.7 out of 5 from 57 ratings, while Patient Controller RC averages 3.1 from 112 ratings.

### Do myMerlinPulse™ or Patient Controller RC have ads?

Neither myMerlinPulse™ nor Patient Controller RC shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, myMerlinPulse™ or Patient Controller RC?

myMerlinPulse™ ships an update every 20 months, and Patient Controller RC every 4 months. Most recently, myMerlinPulse™ was updated on September 25, 2026 and Patient Controller RC on August 24, 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.*