# SimplePi for Raspberry Pi vs Horizon Server Controller

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Horizon Server Controller at none against SimplePi for Raspberry Pi's 1. Horizon Server Controller also leads on iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). SimplePi for Raspberry Pi's advantage is update cadence (every 8 days vs every 2 months). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. SimplePi for Raspberry Pi sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $4.99 per year. Horizon Server Controller asks for nothing beyond the download.

SimplePi for Raspberry Pi ships an update every 8 days, Horizon Server Controller every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | SimplePi for Raspberry Pi | Horizon Server Controller |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[3.9 (125 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simplepi-for-raspberry-pi/id1524142767/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **125** | — |
| Positive reviews | 25.7% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 8 days** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 23 MB | 65 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Benedikt Hirmer](https://appshunter.io/developer/844106496) | [DeLinn CSC ApS](https://appshunter.io/developer/1513175192) |

## What reviewers say

### SimplePi for Raspberry Pi

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simplepi-for-raspberry-pi/id1524142767)

Manage your Raspberry Pi from your iPhone or iPad. Monitor system activity with graphs, run custom commands, and access a terminal shell. Includes widgets, file browsing, and support for multiple Pis.

**Highlights:** Monitor CPU, Memory, Temperature, Disk Usage, Run custom commands with one tap, Full terminal shell access, Home screen widgets for monitoring and control, File browser with export options, Manage multiple Raspberry Pi devices, Public key authentication

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Full Access (12 months) | $4.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Useful tool, does what it says
- 🚀 Fantastic app, great CLI access
- 💡 Full Bash and Python support
- 📈 Provides CPU, GPU, RAM stats
- 💰 Low annual cost (£4.99/year)

**What reviewers complain about**

- ❌ Subscription required to function
- ❌ Frequent connection issues
- ❌ Paywall limits functionality
- ❌ App crashes frequently
- ❌ Fails to display stats

**Reported bugs**

- App refuses to connect after closing
- Opening app redirects to paywall
- Temporary fix for connection issues: remove host, force close, re-add
- App crashes several times
- Fails 50% of the time to display GPU, CPU, and temp settings

**Requested features**

- Allow commands to keep running when phone screen locks
- Ability to view results log for commands
- Option to remove added commands
- Improve navigation for raspi-config
- Store SSH private keys securely using iOS Keychain


### Horizon Server Controller

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/horizon-server-controller/id6758341958)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SimplePi for Raspberry Pi free?

SimplePi for Raspberry Pi is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Horizon Server Controller free?

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

### Do SimplePi for Raspberry Pi or Horizon Server Controller have ads?

Neither SimplePi for Raspberry Pi nor Horizon Server Controller shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, SimplePi for Raspberry Pi or Horizon Server Controller?

SimplePi for Raspberry Pi ships an update every 8 days, and Horizon Server Controller every 2 months. Most recently, SimplePi for Raspberry Pi was updated on October 12, 2026 and Horizon Server Controller on October 1, 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.*