# Blynk IoT vs BLE Controller

Blynk IoT and BLE Controller both sit at 4.5 stars, but that hides the real split: 100% of BLE Controller's written reviews are positive against 42% of Blynk IoT's. BLE Controller also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 7) and device support (3 vs 1). Blynk IoT's advantage is ratings volume (828 vs 26). On price, rating, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Blynk IoT sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month. BLE Controller asks for nothing beyond the download.

BLE Controller holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Blynk IoT has 828 ratings behind it against 26, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 42% of Blynk IoT's written reviews are positive against 100% of BLE Controller's.

Blynk IoT ships an update monthly, BLE Controller every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Blynk IoT | BLE Controller |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.5 (828 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/blynk-iot/id1559317868/reviews) | **[4.7 (26 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ble-controller-arduino-esp32/id6754522781/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **828** | 26 |
| Positive reviews | 42.0% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Monthly | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 86 MB | 64 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **12.0** |
| Devices | iPhone | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Blynk Technologies](https://appshunter.io/developer/808760484) | [CircuitMagic Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1848639668) |

## What reviewers say

### Blynk IoT

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/blynk-iot/id1559317868)

Build custom IoT apps without coding using a drag-and-drop interface. Manage devices, users, and data remotely with a powerful web console and scalable cloud infrastructure. Supports over 400 hardware boards and various connection options.

**Highlights:** Drag-n-drop IoT app builder, Device and user management, OTA firmware updates, Secure cloud infrastructure, Hardware compatibility (400+ boards), Real-time alerts and automations

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Blynk MAKER - Monthly | $6.99 | per month |
| Blynk Starter - Monthly | $29.00 | per month |
| Blynk PRO (40 users) Monthly | $48.99 | per month |
| Blynk MAKER - Yearly | $59.99 | per year |
| Blynk PRO (100 users) Monthly | $98.99 | per month |
| Blynk PRO (50 users) Monthly | $99.00 | per month |
| Blynk PRO (500 users) Monthly | $299.99 | per month |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Easy to use
- 🚀 Powerful IoT platform
- 🚀 Efficient for rapid prototyping
- 👍 Great for hobbyists and businesses
- 👍 Stable and reliable

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Expensive subscription model
- 🐛 Unstable, crashes frequently
- 🤔 Confusing for beginners
- 🤔 Lacks flexibility compared to legacy version
- 🤔 Limited free features

**Reported bugs**

- Connectivity issues with devices
- Widgets not working as expected
- Account deletion without warning
- Incompatibility with older hardware

**Requested features**

- Dark mode option
- Bluetooth support
- Better documentation and tutorials
- Restore legacy app functionality
- Affordable pricing for hobbyists


### BLE Controller

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ble-controller-arduino-esp32/id6754522781)

This app enables wireless control of microcontrollers like Arduino and ESP32 via Bluetooth Low Energy. It features a customizable remote interface, a serial console for real-time data monitoring, and device management tools for makers and hobbyists.

**Highlights:** Customizable button interface, Real-time serial console, Device scanning and management, Bi-directional communication, Offline functionality, Dark and light themes

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Blynk IoT free?

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

### Is BLE Controller free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Blynk IoT or BLE Controller?

BLE Controller is rated higher. Blynk IoT averages 4.5 out of 5 from 828 ratings, while BLE Controller averages 4.7 from 26 ratings.

### Do Blynk IoT or BLE Controller have ads?

Neither Blynk IoT nor BLE Controller shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Blynk IoT or BLE Controller?

Blynk IoT ships an update monthly, and BLE Controller every 2 weeks. Most recently, Blynk IoT was updated on October 25, 2026 and BLE Controller on October 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.*