Comparison

Sony | BRAVIA Connect vs Nextbase

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

Head to head
About

Sony | BRAVIA Connect

Control your Sony TVs and home theater systems with ease from your smartphone. This app simplifies setup, provides remote control functionality, and keeps you informed about the latest news and software updates for your devices.

Highlights
  • Easy home theater setup
  • Smartphone remote control
  • Latest news and updates
  • Vision assistance with VoiceOver
  • Unified device control
Read full description

This is a control app for easy use of Sony TVs and home theater products. Operate easily from your smartphone. For smooth setup and easy troubleshooting. "Home Entertainment Connect" has changed its name to "Sony | BRAVIA Connect". You can continue to use Home Entertainment Connect-compatible devices with Sony | BRAVIA Connect. The following Sony product models are compatible with this app. You can look forward to an growing lineup of compatible products in the future. Home Theatre & Soundbars:BRAVIA Theatre Bar 9, Bar 8, Quad, Bar 7, Bar 6, Bar 5, System 6, Trio, HT-AX7, HT-S2000 TVs:BRAVIA 9 II, 9, 8 II, 8, 7 II, 7, 5, 3 II, 3, 2 II, A95L Series, XR8 Series *This may include products that are not available in some countries or regions. *Before using, please ensure that your TV or home theater system software is up to date. *This update will roll out gradually. Please wait for it to be released on your TV. Main Feature ■Easily set up your home theater products without the need for the manual. No need to read the manual anymore. Everything you need for setup is already integrated into the app, so all you have to do is open the app and it will guide you step by step. With animations that have been optimized for the device you purchased, anyone can easily complete the setup process without hesitation. *Please set up your TV on the TV screen before using the app. ■Take control from your smartphone Have you ever wanted to control a device, but the remote control isn't near or you can't find it quickly? Now you can use your smartphone to control a device for situations just like that. Furthermore, by connecting a compatible TV and audio device, you can control them all from your smartphone. You no longer have to go back and forth between settings screens or switching remotes.  ■Get the latest news and updates Full support is provided to ensure that each device is used in the most up-to-date and optimal condition. Even after setup is complete, the app will notify you of recommended features, settings, software updates*, etc. The software wasn't updated. I didn't know it had the feature! These surprises are a thing of the past. The app provides support so that you can maximize the value of the equipment you have purchased. *Notifications about TV software updates are available on the TV screen. ■Vision assistance Use the built-in iOS VoiceOver function to assist with setup and remote control operations using voice narration. You no longer need to memorize the layout of buttons on the remote control or the order of items on the screen. *Depending on the function or screen, the audio may not be read out correctly. We will continue to improve and update the read-out content in the future. Note *This app is not guaranteed to work with all smartphones/tablets. And Chromebooks are not compatible with the app. *Some functions and services may not be supported in certain regions/countries. *Bluetooth® and its logos are trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc., and their use by Sony Corporation is under license. *Wi-Fi® is a registered trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance.

About

Nextbase

Manage and control compatible dash cams to record, download, and share footage. Features include automatic parking recording, voice commands, and emergency SOS alerts. Secure cloud storage is also available.

Highlights
  • Video playback and sharing
  • Smart parking recording
  • Voice control
  • Guardian Mode for speed/location alerts
  • Witness Mode for trusted contact alerts
  • Emergency SOS with location sharing
  • Cloud storage for recordings
Features
Read full description

The Nextbase app is only compatible with Nextbase Piqo, 385GW and 385GWX Dash Cam models. We’ve got your back. The Nextbase app is designed to help you effortlessly prove you're not at fault or share a breathtaking drive. Trusted by millions of drivers worldwide, Nextbase Dash Cams lead the world. Compatible Nextbase Dash Cams will have access to the below features in the Nextbase app: Video Playback Download & share videos from your Dash Cam using the Nextbase app. Smart Parking Triggers recording automatically when your car is knocked. *Pro Install Cable or Quick Connect Cable required. Voice Control Nextbase native voice control gives you hassle-free direct command of your Dash Cam. Guardian Mode Stay in control with Guardian Mode. Set speed and location limitations on your Dash Cam and get a notification if your car breaks them. Witness Mode Never face danger alone again. Simply use voice commands to control your Dash Cam anytime you feel on edge, in a road rage incident, or if you’re pulled over and it will inform your trusted contact so they can step in and help. Emergency SOS Get instant life-saving help. If you, or whoever is driving are unresponsive after an accident, your Dash Cam will share location and key medical details and dispatch the emergency services. Cloud Storage Store your Dash Cam recordings on the Nextbase secure server making it easier to share with friends, family and your insurance company. Nextbase Skins Apply visual effects and overlays to your Dash Cam videos! Personalise your videos with real time speed, GPS and G-force data. Some of these features can be utilised with activation of a paid subscriptions via the Nextbase app. For your own safety do not operate Nextbase app whilst driving.

Screenshots

Sony | BRAVIA Connect4 screens
Nextbase4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ratings volume: Sony | BRAVIA Connect at 11K against Nextbase's 552. Sony | BRAVIA Connect also leads on review sentiment (28% vs 19%) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.0). Nextbase's advantage is update cadence (every 4 weeks vs every 2 months). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases 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.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Nextbase holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Sony | BRAVIA Connect has 11K ratings behind it against 552, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 28% of Sony | BRAVIA Connect's written reviews are positive against 19% of Nextbase's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Sony | BRAVIA Connect ships an update every 2 months, Nextbase every 4 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Sony | BRAVIA Connect versus Nextbase: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSony | BRAVIA ConnectNextbase
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (11K ratings)4.7 (552 ratings) — better
Positive reviews28.0% of reviews — better19.1% of reviews
Number of ratings11K — better552
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 4 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size195 MB230 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSony CorporationNEXTBASE UK

Customer experience

Sony | BRAVIA Connect

All ratings11,016 ratings
Positive87.7%
Neutral3.7%
Negative8.6%
Written reviews607 reviews
Positive28.0%
Neutral9.2%
Negative62.8%

Nextbase

All ratings515 ratings
Positive92.6%
Neutral0.4%
Negative7.0%
Written reviews131 reviews
Positive19.1%
Neutral4.6%
Negative76.3%

Bugs and requests

Sony | BRAVIA Connect

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Doesn't work after iOS 18 update
  • Unable to connect to Bravia Theater Quad system
  • Fails to discover and connect to some TV models
  • Loses connection to soundbar frequently

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add graphic equalizer
  • Improve wireless connection monitoring
  • Allow rearranging of app shortcuts
  • Add arrow buttons and select button

Nextbase

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Sony | BRAVIA Connect

No in-app purchases

None

Nextbase

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Sony | BRAVIA Connect free?
Sony | BRAVIA Connect is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Nextbase free?
Nextbase is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Sony | BRAVIA Connect or Nextbase?
Nextbase is rated higher. Sony | BRAVIA Connect averages 4.5 out of 5 from 11K ratings, while Nextbase averages 4.7 from 552 ratings.
Do Sony | BRAVIA Connect or Nextbase have ads?
Neither Sony | BRAVIA Connect nor Nextbase shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Sony | BRAVIA Connect or Nextbase?
Sony | BRAVIA Connect ships an update every 2 months, and Nextbase every 4 weeks. Most recently, Sony | BRAVIA Connect was updated on October 23, 2026 and Nextbase on October 21, 2026.

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