# 8BitDo Ultimate Software vs Shortcut Remote

The clearest difference is rating: 8BitDo Ultimate Software at 2.4 against Shortcut Remote's 1.3. 8BitDo Ultimate Software also leads on ratings volume (197 vs 12) and review sentiment (26% vs 13%). Shortcut Remote's advantage is update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 2 months). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

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

8BitDo Ultimate Software holds the better App Store score, 2.4 against 1.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: 8BitDo Ultimate Software has 197 ratings behind it against 12, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 26% of 8BitDo Ultimate Software's written reviews are positive against 13% of Shortcut Remote's.

8BitDo Ultimate Software ships an update every 2 months, Shortcut Remote every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | 8BitDo Ultimate Software | Shortcut Remote |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[2.4 (197 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/8bitdo-ultimate-software/id1532713768/reviews)** | [1.3 (12 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shortcut-remote/id6615065841/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **197** | 12 |
| Positive reviews | **26.4% of reviews** | 12.5% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 167 MB | 3 MB |
| Requires iOS | **11.0** | 12.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [8BitDo](https://appshunter.io/developer/1532713770) | [深圳汉王友基科技有限公司](https://appshunter.io/developer/1468049952) |

## What reviewers say

### 8BitDo Ultimate Software

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/8bitdo-ultimate-software/id1532713768)

Gain complete control over your compatible gamepad. Customize button layouts, fine-tune analog stick and trigger responses, and manage vibration intensity. Create custom macro commands for advanced gameplay.

**Highlights:** Button mapping customization, Stick and trigger sensitivity adjustment, Vibration power control, Macro creation, Controller compatibility management

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use
- 🚀 Functional app
- 💡 Helpful for left-hand device use
- 🚀 Seamless controller connection
- 🚀 Intuitive key mapping

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Connectivity issues
- 🐛 Inconsistent performance
- 🐛 Lack of support for certain controllers
- 🐛 Buggy firmware updates
- 🐛 Profiles not saving properly

**Reported bugs**

- App unable to detect connected controllers
- Key mapping not working as expected
- Profiles resetting after app restart
- Firmware update issues bricking controllers

**Requested features**

- Support for more controllers (e.g. 8bitdo Zero 2, SN30 Pro+)
- Add ability to remap command/option keys for macOS/iOS
- Improve macro functionality (e.g. adjustable delay, ability to hold keys)
- Add media control key mapping options
- Implement Bluetooth firmware update capability


### Shortcut Remote

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shortcut-remote/id6615065841)

Customize wireless shortcut remote button functions on your mobile device. Enhance your creative workflow with pre-set software configurations for popular tools.

**Highlights:** Customize remote button functions, Wireless connectivity, Mobile device integration, Pre-set software configurations, Enhance creative workflow

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Good form factor and feel
- 💡 Potential for a great budget alternative
- 👍 App interface looks promising
- 👍 Device is inexpensive and easy to use
- 👍 Works after firmware update

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 App crashes frequently
- 🐛 App connects but does nothing
- 🐛 Cannot save shortcuts
- 🐛 App doesn't work on iPad
- 🐛 Not saving changes

**Reported bugs**

- Shortcut remote not connecting
- App crashes
- App connects but does nothing
- Cannot save shortcuts
- App doesn't work on iPad

**Requested features**

- Fix shortcut remote connection issue
- Allow remote connection only to iPad
- Provide detailed connection and usage guides for iPad
- Add support for Ibispaint
- Add K11 switching function


## Frequently asked questions

### Is 8BitDo Ultimate Software free?

8BitDo Ultimate Software is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Shortcut Remote free?

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

### Which has better reviews, 8BitDo Ultimate Software or Shortcut Remote?

8BitDo Ultimate Software is rated higher. 8BitDo Ultimate Software averages 2.4 out of 5 from 197 ratings, while Shortcut Remote averages 1.3 from 12 ratings.

### Do 8BitDo Ultimate Software or Shortcut Remote have ads?

Neither 8BitDo Ultimate Software nor Shortcut Remote shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, 8BitDo Ultimate Software or Shortcut Remote?

8BitDo Ultimate Software ships an update every 2 months, and Shortcut Remote every 2 weeks. Most recently, 8BitDo Ultimate Software was updated on September 23, 2026 and Shortcut Remote on September 22, 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.*