# Plex & Kodi (XBMC) remote vs Helmarr

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Helmarr at 76% against Plex & Kodi (XBMC) remote's 32%. Helmarr also leads on rating (4.9 vs 4.4) and update cadence (weekly vs every 2 months). Plex & Kodi (XBMC) remote's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 19) and device support (4 vs 2). On price, ratings volume and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Helmarr sells 19 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Plex & Kodi (XBMC) remote asks for nothing beyond the download.

Helmarr holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 133 and 172 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 32% of Plex & Kodi (XBMC) remote's written reviews are positive against 76% of Helmarr's.

Plex & Kodi (XBMC) remote ships an update every 2 months, Helmarr weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 26, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Plex & Kodi (XBMC) remote | Helmarr |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.4 (133 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/plex-and-kodi-xbmc-remote/id403716879/reviews) | **[4.9 (172 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/helmarr/id1638624921/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 133 | **172** |
| Positive reviews | 32.1% of reviews | **75.9% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 29 MB | 170 MB |
| Requires iOS | **11.0** | 26.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Antoine Barrault](https://appshunter.io/developer/391077788) | [Florian Ernst](https://appshunter.io/developer/979192685) |

## What reviewers say

### Plex & Kodi (XBMC) remote

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/plex-and-kodi-xbmc-remote/id403716879)

Control your media playback on Kodi and Plex with this intuitive remote app. Manage playback, volume, and navigation directly from your device, including Apple Watch support.

**Highlights:** Automatic installation discovery, Play/pause control, Volume control, Apple Watch control, Full navigation options, Works with Kodi and Plex

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Simple and easy to use
- 🚀 Works with Plex (sometimes)
- 👍 Works with Kodi (sometimes)
- 💰 Good for the price (free)

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Does not find Kodi/Plex
- 🐛 App Support link broken
- 🐛 No manual settings
- 🐛 Doesn't work on app/web versions
- 🐛 Useless without manual settings

**Reported bugs**

- App did not find Kodi or Plex sessions
- App Support link goes to a broken web page
- No way to manually enter settings
- App doesn't work on app installations or web versions of Plex
- App is useless without manual settings

**Requested features**

- Needs more buttons
- Keyboard mode for text entry
- Option to configure manually
- Make it free or cost money
- Type for web surfing


### Helmarr

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/helmarr/id1638624921)

Manage all your self-hosted services from a single, native iOS interface. Seamlessly integrate and control applications like Sonarr, Radarr, and Unraid with advanced features and customization.

**Highlights:** Unified experience for multiple services, Smart multi-network connectivity, Deep customization options, Home screen widgets, Unraid control, Push notifications, SSH & SFTP access, Download management

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

**In-app purchases (19)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Helmarr Pro Monthly | $3.99 | per month |
| Ultra Monthly | $4.99 | per month |
| Helmarr Pro Yearly Subscription | $17.99 | per year |
| Bazarr | $3.99 | one-time |
| Deluge | $4.99 | one-time |
| Plex | $4.99 | one-time |
| Transmission | $4.99 | one-time |
| NZBGet | $4.99 | one-time |
| Lidarr | $4.99 | one-time |
| Unraid | $4.99 | one-time |
| SABnzbd | $4.99 | one-time |
| Tautulli | $4.99 | one-time |
| Sonarr | $4.99 | one-time |
| Radarr | $4.99 | one-time |
| Seerr | $4.99 | one-time |
| qBt | $4.99 | one-time |
| Prowlarr | $4.99 | one-time |
| Helmarr Pro - Lifetime | $29.99 | one-time |
| Lifetime Pro | $34.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Plex & Kodi (XBMC) remote free?

Plex & Kodi (XBMC) remote is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Helmarr free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Plex & Kodi (XBMC) remote or Helmarr?

Helmarr is rated higher. Plex & Kodi (XBMC) remote averages 4.4 out of 5 from 133 ratings, while Helmarr averages 4.9 from 172 ratings.

### Do Plex & Kodi (XBMC) remote or Helmarr have ads?

Neither Plex & Kodi (XBMC) remote nor Helmarr shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Plex & Kodi (XBMC) remote or Helmarr?

Plex & Kodi (XBMC) remote ships an update every 2 months, and Helmarr weekly. Most recently, Plex & Kodi (XBMC) remote was updated on September 24, 2026 and Helmarr on September 26, 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.*