Comparison

Shokz vs JLab

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

Head to head
About

Shokz

Enhance your audio experience with customizable sound modes and a powerful equalizer. Effortlessly manage multiple Bluetooth devices, update firmware, and control playback. Access detailed information about your headphones and the brand.

Highlights
  • Customizable sound modes
  • Equalizer settings
  • Multipoint Bluetooth pairing
  • Firmware upgrades
  • Playback controls
  • Headphone information access
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

You can find the following functions in the Shokz app: 1) Rich and powerful sound Enjoy built-in tuning for easy switching between sound modes, while the customizable equalizer allows you to tailor your music to your preferences. 2) Programmable buttons Assign touch buttons to the functions you use the most. 3) Effortless multipoint pairing The app allows you to simultaneously connect one pair of headphones to two Bluetooth devices. Additionally, you can easily switch and manage other Shokz headphones directly from the app. 4) Firmware upgrades Up-to-date firmware keeps your headphones in optimal condition, ensuring you get the best user experience. 5) Playback controls Adjust the volume, pause/play music, skip songs, and choose playback modes directly through the app. 6) Access information - Your headphones: Including headphone battery status, user manual, serial number, and additional details. - Shokz: Explore the brand story, service policy, and other relevant information. If you have any feedback, please visit the "About Us" section and select "Feedback" to share your comments with us. Note The Shokz app is compatible with OpenRun Pro, OpenFit, OpenFit Air, OpenSwim Pro, OpenRun Pro 2, OpenFit 2, OpenMeet, OpenDots ONE, OpenFit 2+, and OpenFit Pro. Please be aware that certain features may not be accessible on all products.

About

JLab

Personalize your audio experience with advanced sound controls. Adjust noise cancellation, EQ settings, and touch controls for compatible earbuds. Stay updated with the latest software.

Highlights
  • Active Noise Cancellation control
  • Be Aware Audio settings
  • EQ customization (JLab Signature, Balanced, Bass Boost, Custom)
  • Customizable touch controls
  • Safe listening level adjustments
  • Software updates
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Compatible Models: GO Pop+ GO Sport+ GO Tone+ JBuds Air Pro JBuds Air Pro ANC JBuds Air ANC (Gen 2) JBuds ANC 3 JBuds Air Sport (Gen 3) JBuds Mini Work Buds Epic Air ANC (Gen 2) Epic Air Sport (Gen 2) Epic Lab Edition GO Work (Gen 2) JBuds Lux ANC JBuds Sport ANC 4 Rewind 2 Flex Studio+ Studio Pro+ Epic Work ANC JBuds Open Sport GO Pop ANC Epic Sport ANC 3 Epic Open Sport GO Pods ANC JBuds Pods ANC GO Lux ANC Epic Lux Lab Edition Studio 2 GO Party Pop Party JBuds Party Epic Party Epic Pods ANC JBuds Open Headphone GO 3 The new and improved JLab app offers complete customization for all JLab App compatible models. Adjust Noise Control settings, Be Aware, touch controls, safe listening levels, and sound to your personal preference – or use the presets for JLab Signature, Balanced, or Bass Boost. Plus, get software updates for your product right when they’re available. Active Noise Cancellation Control With the new JLab App, you'll be able to increase the active noise canceling from off all the way to max ANC, (on your ANC compatible earbuds) while in the earbuds themselves you can only select on or off. Be Aware Audio Bring the outside in. Use the JLab App to increase or decrease the amount of outside noise you let in by adjusting your Be Aware settings. (For Be Aware Compatible earbuds only) EQ Customization Fine tune your sound by adjusting the equalizer settings. JLab products come set with three default settings - called Custom EQ3 Sound, which features JLab Signature, Balanced and Bass Boost and a 4th option 'Custom'. Use the JLab App to test and set your own equalizer settings by adjusting Bass (200, 280, 400 Hz levels), Mid-Range (550, 770, 1000, 2000 Hz levels) and Treble (4000, 8000, 16000 Hz levels). Custom Controls JLab products come with controls in each earbud that control anything from volume, track changes, play/pause and more. If you'd like to switch the settings, you can customize your controls further via the app. Safe Hearing All future JLab models will now support Safe Hearing. Switch between the default output, 95 dB, or 85 dB for a safe listening experience.

Screenshots

Shokz4 screens
JLab4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Shokz at 95% against JLab's 28%. Shokz also leads on update cadence (weekly vs monthly). JLab's advantage is monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). On price, ads, in-app purchases and chart position 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Shokz ships an update weekly, JLab monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 26, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 8 level
Shokz versus JLab: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterShokzJLab
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (25K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews94.7% of reviews — better27.9% of reviews
Number of ratings25K — better—
Update frequencyWeekly — betterMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
Best chart rank#46#36 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS15.515 — better
Further details — not scored
Size278 MB108 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperShenzhen Shokz Co., Ltd.JLab Audio

Customer experience

Shokz

All ratings25,424 ratings
Positive96.3%
Neutral2.2%
Negative1.5%
Written reviews5,073 reviews
Positive94.7%
Neutral2.0%
Negative3.3%

JLab

Written reviews498 reviews
Positive27.9%
Neutral8.0%
Negative64.1%

User reviews

Shokz

From 25K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Comfortable and lightweight
  • 🚀 Excellent sound quality
  • 💡 Awareness of surroundings
  • 🔋 Long battery life
  • 👍 Seamless multi-device connectivity

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional Bluetooth connectivity issues
  • 🔋 Battery life could be better
  • 👎 Limited EQ customization options
  • 👎 Microphone quality could be improved
  • 👎 Volume range not optimal in some environments

JLab

From App Store reviews

What we love

  • 👍 Easy to use
  • 🚀 Instant pairing
  • 💡 Customizable controls
  • 🔊 Loud and clear audio
  • 👍 Good value for money

Room to improve

  • 🐛 App fails to connect to some models
  • 🐛 Buggy and unreliable app
  • 🔧 Limited model support
  • 🤔 Unclear app functionality
  • 🤷‍♀️ Useless for some models

Bugs and requests

Shokz

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Headphones randomly disconnecting
  • App unable to detect/connect to headphones
  • Inconsistent volume levels

Requested features

4 requests
  • More advanced EQ settings
  • Automatic volume adjustment based on environment
  • Customizable button controls
  • Integration with fitness/health tracking apps

JLab

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • App fails to detect connected devices
  • Firmware updates not working
  • Equalizer settings not saving
  • Constant disconnections between app and earbuds
  • App crashes on launch for some users

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add support for more JLab models
  • Improve app stability and reliability
  • Introduce EQ and sound customization
  • Add a 'find my earbuds' feature
  • Provide better customer support

In-app purchases

None

Shokz

No in-app purchases

None

JLab

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Shokz free?
Shokz is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is JLab free?
JLab is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Shokz or JLab have ads?
Neither Shokz nor JLab shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Shokz or JLab?
Shokz ships an update weekly, and JLab monthly. Most recently, Shokz was updated on September 26, 2026 and JLab on September 23, 2026.
Which is more popular, Shokz or JLab?
Shokz currently peaks at #46 in the App Store charts, and JLab at #36. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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