# VLC Remote vs Infuse

The clearest difference is ratings volume: Infuse at 28K against VLC Remote's 594. Infuse also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs monthly) and chart position (#195 vs unranked). VLC Remote's advantage is iOS requirement (12.1 vs 18.0). On price, rating, review sentiment and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. VLC Remote sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $4.99 per year and Infuse sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for VLC Remote against 4.7 for Infuse. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Infuse has 28K ratings behind it against 594, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 67% of VLC Remote's written reviews are positive against 60% of Infuse's.

VLC Remote ships an update monthly, Infuse fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | VLC Remote | Infuse |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (594 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vlc-remote/id299344206/reviews) | [4.7 (28K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/infuse/id1136220934/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 594 | **28K** |
| Positive reviews | **66.5% of reviews** | 60.4% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Monthly | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | — | **#195** |
| Size | 40 MB | 197 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.1** | 18.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, Vision Pro** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Hobbyist Software Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/291218199) | [Firecore, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/577130089) |

## What reviewers say

### VLC Remote

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vlc-remote/id299344206)

Control your VLC Media Player on Mac or PC from your iPhone or iPad. Manage playback, volume, subtitles, and more, all from your couch. Offers a free version with ads and limited features, with an upgrade option for full functionality.

**Highlights:** Remote control for VLC Media Player, Play, pause, stop, and navigate media, Control volume and aspect ratio, Manage subtitles and audio tracks, View cover art and playlist, Today widget for quick access

**Features:** Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Full Control - Annual | $4.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Easy to set up
- 👍 Convenient remote control
- 💡 Ability to browse files and playlists
- 🚀 Responsive controls
- 👍 Useful for watching movies from the couch

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent disconnections and crashes
- 👎 Confusing or outdated interface
- 🔒 Potential security concerns with required software installation
- 👎 Limited functionality in free version
- 💰 Expensive subscription for full version

**Reported bugs**

- Search function not working
- Playlist not updating correctly
- Frequent crashes or freezes
- Incompatibility with newer OS versions

**Requested features**

- Chromecast support
- System volume control
- Headset mode
- Ability to respond to dialog boxes on the local machine


### Infuse

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/infuse/id1136220934)

**Currently charting:** #195 Top Grossing · Entertainment (US App Store)

A versatile video player that supports a vast array of formats and streaming options. Enjoy smooth playback, HDR, and Dolby audio, with integrated subtitle downloads and Trakt sync. Stream content from various devices and cloud services without conversion.

**Highlights:** Plays virtually any video format, Stream from Mac, PC, NAS, and cloud services, Supports HDR, Dolby Vision, and Dolby/DTS audio, Integrated subtitle downloads, Trakt 2-way sync, AirPlay & Google Cast support

**Features:** Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Infuse Pro - Monthly | $1.99 | per month |
| Infuse Pro - Monthly | $1.99 | per month |
| Infuse Pro - Yearly | $16.99 | per year |
| Infuse Pro - Yearly | $16.99 | per year |
| Dolby Audio | Free | one-time |
| DTS Audio | Free | one-time |
| Infuse Pro - Lifetime | $99.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Excellent video playback
- 🔍 Automatic metadata fetching
- 👍 Seamless integration with Apple devices
- 🔊 Supports high-quality audio formats
- 📂 Easy file management and organization

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔒 Subscription model
- 🐛 Metadata issues and incorrect tagging
- ⏱️ Slow library loading and indexing
- 🔍 Limited customization options
- 🤔 Confusing user interface

**Reported bugs**

- Frequent crashes and freezes
- Connectivity issues with network shares
- Playback problems with certain video formats
- Sync issues between devices
- Unreliable subtitle downloads

**Requested features**

- Ability to edit metadata manually
- Support for more media file types (photos, music)
- Improved TV show organization and episode handling
- Picture-in-picture controls and gestures
- Customizable library views and sorting options


## Frequently asked questions

### Is VLC Remote free?

VLC Remote is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Infuse free?

Infuse is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, VLC Remote or Infuse?

VLC Remote and Infuse are both rated 4.7 out of 5 on the App Store, from 594 and 28K ratings respectively.

### Do VLC Remote or Infuse have ads?

Neither VLC Remote nor Infuse shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, VLC Remote or Infuse?

VLC Remote ships an update monthly, and Infuse fortnightly. Most recently, VLC Remote was updated on October 6, 2026 and Infuse on October 14, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*