Garmin RV Controls vs ArcNode
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Garmin RV Controls
Connect your mobile device to your RV's onboard system to control and monitor various functions. Mimics your RV's display for an intuitive user experience. Designed for Empirbus, a Garmin brand, controlling and monitoring systems.
- Control lighting and blinds
- Manage slide-outs and awnings
- Adjust climate control
- Monitor power management
- Check tank levels
- View temperatures and pressures
Read full descriptionHide full description
The free Garmin RV Controls app creates a powerful connection between your RV’s on-board system and compatible mobile device. Simply connect your mobile to your RV network to control and monitor your on-board systems. You can experience the power and convenience of advanced home and luxury car automation in your RV by controlling and monitoring all onboard electronic systems. The Garmin RV Controls app will mimic the display screens you have in your RV – for a user-friendly experience. Please note that this app is intended for Empirbus, a Garmin brand, controlling and monitoring system. Depending on your RV setup, you can Control: • Lighting and Blinds • Slide-Outs and Awnings • Climate Control • Entertainment • Security Systems • Leveling Systems Monitor: • Power Management • Tanks • Temperatures and Pressures • Temperatures
ArcNode
Read full descriptionHide full description
ArcNode is the control surface for your van's electrical system. It connects to your power system and brings battery, solar, water, climate, and power monitoring into one iPad dashboard — and lets you control lights, heating, cooling, and scenes from the same screen. Built for professionally converted vans and RVs, ArcNode reads your system in real time and gives you a single System Score so you know your status at a glance. Terms of Use: https://arcnode.app/terms Privacy Policy: https://arcnode.app/privacy
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Garmin RV Controls at none against ArcNode's 1. ArcNode's advantage is update cadence (every 6 days vs every 3 months). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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. ArcNode sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $299.00 per year. Garmin RV Controls asks for nothing beyond the download.
Garmin RV Controls ships an update every 3 months, ArcNode every 6 days. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.
| Parameter | Garmin RV Controls | ArcNode |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 2.2 (9 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 9 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Every 6 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 — better | 16.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 7 MB | 116 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Garmin | Arc Energy Labs, Inc. |
In-app purchases
Garmin RV Controls
No in-app purchases
ArcNode
- Arc Explorer$299.001 Year
Questions
Is Garmin RV Controls free?
Is ArcNode free?
Do Garmin RV Controls or ArcNode have ads?
Which is updated more often, Garmin RV Controls or ArcNode?
Other comparisons
