Comparison

Dolphin Ctrl vs iKontroller

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • Simulates GameCube controller
  • Play games on Dolphin emulator
  • Use phones as controllers
  • Supports multiplayer
  • Wireless connectivity
Read 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.

About

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.

Highlights
  • High-precision touchpad
  • Customizable buttons and joystick
  • Gyrostick control
  • Multiple connection options (Wi-Fi, USB)
  • Companion desktop app required
Features
Read 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

Dolphin Ctrl3 screens
iKontroller4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

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.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Dolphin Ctrl versus iKontroller: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDolphin CtrliKontroller
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.8 (8 ratings)4.2 (5 ratings) — better
Positive reviews14.3% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings8 — better5
Update frequencyEvery 14 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS14.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size1 MB21 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperCameron LittleRichlen Murden

Customer experience

Dolphin Ctrl

All ratings6 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive14.3%
Neutral42.9%
Negative42.9%

iKontroller

All ratings5 ratings
Positive80.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative20.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Dolphin Ctrl

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

iKontroller

Subscriptions1
  • iKontroller Gold Monthly$0.991 Month
One-time1
  • iKontroller Gold$14.99

Questions

Is Dolphin Ctrl free?
Dolphin Ctrl is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is iKontroller free?
iKontroller is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Dolphin Ctrl or iKontroller?
iKontroller is rated higher. Dolphin Ctrl averages 2.8 out of 5 from 8 ratings, while iKontroller averages 4.2 from 5 ratings.
Do Dolphin Ctrl or iKontroller have ads?
Neither Dolphin Ctrl nor iKontroller shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Dolphin Ctrl or iKontroller?
Dolphin Ctrl ships an update every 14 months, and iKontroller every 2 weeks. Most recently, Dolphin Ctrl was updated on October 27, 2026 and iKontroller on October 24, 2026.

Other comparisons