Dolphin Ctrl vs iKontroller
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Dolphin Ctrl
This app transforms your phone into a GameCube controller for the Dolphin emulator. Connect wirelessly to your computer to play games with friends. Performance depends on network and emulator speed.
- Simulates GameCube controller
- Play games on Dolphin emulator
- Use phones as controllers
- Supports multiplayer
- Wireless connectivity
Read full descriptionHide full description
Dolphin Ctrl simulates a GameCube controller and allows you and your friends to play games on the Dolphin emulator using your phones. Requires running the Dolphin Ctrl Server app on your computer running Dolphin. Download the server and read the instructions at https://github.com/apexskier/dolphin-controller. Note: Dolphin Controller can be slow depending the speed of your WiFi/bluetooth/remote network connect and the speed of the Dolphin emulator itself.
iKontroller
Transform your iPhone or iPad into a versatile Mac controller. Utilize a high-precision touchpad, customizable buttons, and joystick/gyrostick mapping for seamless remote operation. Connect via Wi-Fi, cellular, or USB.
- High-precision touchpad
- Customizable buttons and joystick
- Gyrostick control
- Multiple connection options (Wi-Fi, USB)
- Companion desktop app required
Read full descriptionHide full description
iKontroller transforms your iPhone and iPad into the perfect controller for your Mac. How does iKontroller achieve this? • Touchpad High-precision touchpad with relative and absolute modes. Relative mode is used in games to move the camera around. Absolute mode is used to move your cursor around. • Left region & Right region / Combined Left & Right region Left region allows you to perform the left single click, double/triple click and long press. Right region allows you to perform the right single click, double/triple click and long press. • Scroll region It allows you to scroll vertically or horizontally. • Button You can map a button to a specific key on your keyboard. Once mapped, pressing that button will trigger the corresponding key on your Mac. • Joystick You can map a joystick to 4 specific keys on your keyboard. Once mapped, moving the joystick in any direction will trigger the corresponding key(s) on your Mac. • Gyrostick You can map a gyrostick to 4 specific keys on your keyboard. Once mapped, tilting and rotating your device in any direction will trigger the corresponding key(s) on your Mac. How does iKontroller connect to my Mac? • Wi-Fi network, Cellular network, USB-C cable or Lightning cable What does iKontroller require? • Local network permission • The companion app named „iKontroller Desktop“ on your Mac. App Store link: https://apps.apple.com/app/ikontroller-desktop/id6755576478?mt=12 For more info; visit iKontroller support: https://biskuitmarie.github.io/ikontroller-support/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: iKontroller at 100% against Dolphin Ctrl's 14%. iKontroller also leads on rating (4.2 vs 2.8) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 14 months). Dolphin Ctrl's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and iOS requirement (14.0 vs 17.0). On price, ratings volume, ads and device support there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. iKontroller sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Dolphin Ctrl asks for nothing beyond the download.
iKontroller holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 2.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 8 and 5 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 14% of Dolphin Ctrl's written reviews are positive against 100% of iKontroller's.
Dolphin Ctrl ships an update every 14 months, iKontroller every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 27, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Dolphin Ctrl | iKontroller |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 2.8 (8 ratings) | 4.2 (5 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 14.3% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 8 — better | 5 |
| Update frequency | Every 14 months | Every 2 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 1 MB | 21 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Cameron Little | Richlen Murden |
Customer experience
Dolphin Ctrl
iKontroller
In-app purchases
Dolphin Ctrl
No in-app purchases
iKontroller
- iKontroller Gold Monthly$0.991 Month
- iKontroller Gold$14.99








