# glinet vs Couchside

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Couchside at 100% against glinet's 38%. Couchside also leads on rating (5.0 vs 3.5) and update cadence (every 2 days vs every 5 weeks). glinet's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1). On price, ratings volume, ads and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Couchside sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. glinet asks for nothing beyond the download.

Couchside holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 23 and 10 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 38% of glinet's written reviews are positive against 100% of Couchside's.

glinet ships an update every 5 weeks, Couchside every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | glinet | Couchside |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.5 (23 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/glinet/id1523245996/reviews) | **[5.0 (10 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/couchside-remote/id6786884115/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **23** | 10 |
| Positive reviews | 37.6% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks | **Every 2 days** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 118 MB | 60 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 16.4 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [GL Technologies (HK) Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/1490828301) | [Taylor Emery](https://appshunter.io/developer/1896613747) |

## What reviewers say

### glinet

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/glinet/id1523245996)

Manage your GL.iNet router remotely, from basic setup and password changes to configuring mesh networks and VPN connections. Monitor real-time traffic, block unwanted users, and check device performance. Easily update firmware, control LED lights, and pause WiFi.

**Highlights:** Basic router setup and password management, Mesh network configuration, OpenVPN and WireGuard VPN setup, Real-time traffic monitoring, Block unwanted WiFi users, Live router status and performance checklist, Firmware updates and LED light control

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Remote router management
- 👍 Dark mode available
- 👍 Controls multiple routers
- 👍 Works well for basic setup
- 👍 Easy initial setup

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent 429 errors
- 🐛 Buggy GUI
- 🐛 Confusing settings
- 🐛 Cannot sign back in
- 🐛 App behaves like first-time setup after sign-out

**Reported bugs**

- 429 errors during VPN setup
- GUI is buggy
- Cannot sign back in after sign out
- App behaves as if setting up for the first time after sign out
- No instructions provided

**Requested features**

- Add USB print server function
- More versatile functionalities (repeater, astrowarp)
- Automate captive portal workflow for travel
- Import MAC address for captive portals
- Include all web admin console features in the app


### Couchside

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/couchside-remote/id6786884115)

Transform your iPhone into a remote console, game launcher, and controller for your Linux gaming PC. Monitor system health, fix issues without a keyboard, and launch games directly from your couch.

**Highlights:** Live system monitoring dashboard, One-tap runbook actions for troubleshooting, Browse system logs remotely, Launch Steam games and custom applications, Virtual Xbox 360 game controller, Trackpad and swipe control modes, Easy QR code pairing

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Couchside Forever Unlock | $7.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is glinet free?

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

### Is Couchside free?

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

### Which has better reviews, glinet or Couchside?

Couchside is rated higher. glinet averages 3.5 out of 5 from 23 ratings, while Couchside averages 5.0 from 10 ratings.

### Do glinet or Couchside have ads?

Neither glinet nor Couchside shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, glinet or Couchside?

glinet ships an update every 5 weeks, and Couchside every 2 days. Most recently, glinet was updated on November 3, 2026 and Couchside on October 28, 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.*