Comparison

iControl DCS vs Smart Head Track for OpenTrack

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

Head to head
About

iControl DCS

Enhance your flight simulation experience by extending your cockpit to an iPad. Control Digital Combat Simulator's A-10C Warthog with touch screen input, eliminating the need for a mouse during intense gameplay. Enjoy interactive displays and a wide range of cockpit functions for a more immersive simulation.

Highlights
  • Interactive MFCD, CDU, and UFC displays
  • Touchscreen control for simulator functions
  • Retina iPad support with original graphics
  • Support for multiple connected iPads
  • Cold ramp startup controls
  • Autopilot controls
Features
Read full description

Extend your cockpit to the iPad! iControl DCS allows you to connect your iPad with Digital Combat Simulator's A-10C Warthog flight simulation. Allowing you to control the simulator by touching your screen. Never fumble for your mouse in the heat of the moment again! Here are some of the functions it provides • Crisp and clean 100% original graphics with retina iPad support • Quick and easy navigation between instruments via swipe gestures or buttons • Live MFCD displays (left and right) with working buttons • Live CDU display with working buttons • UFC panel with working buttons • Caution and warning light panel • Various commonly used cockpit functions • Supports multiple devices. Connect two iPads at once and display Different MFDs on each! • Radio stack • Combined view with UFC and dual MFCDs on one screen • Autopilot controls • All controls and switches necessary to performa a cold ramp startup • Portrait CDU mode System Requirements: • DCS: World with A-10C Addon • Microsoft Windows • iControl DCS Server available at http://www.bit-shift.com/ • Due to limitations in the simulator, live MFCDs must be repeated on your monitor. • Due to limitations in the simulator, the sim will be forced to run in full screen windowed mode ***** We suggest you give A-10 VC Free a try before purchasing iControl DCS to make sure it suits your play style. ***** This application will not work with macOS PCs! iControl DCS and bit-shift.com are not affiliated with iControl Networks.

About

Smart Head Track for OpenTrack

Transform your iPhone or iPad into a head tracker for PC games. Control your in-game camera by moving your head, eliminating the need for expensive hardware. Enjoy precise calibration and a seamless setup for an immersive gaming experience.

Highlights
  • Head tracking for PC games
  • Uses phone's front camera and ARKit
  • Compatible with FreeTrack/TrackIR games
  • Easy WiFi or USB setup
  • Independent axis calibration
  • Simulation mode for preview
  • Power saving options
Features
Read full description

Smart Head Track — Head Tracking for PC Games, No Hardware Needed Turn your iPhone or iPad into a head tracker. Move your head to control your in-game camera in flight sims, racing games, truck simulators, and more — replacing expensive hardware like TrackIR with your phone's front camera and ARKit. WORKS WITH YOUR FAVORITE GAMES Compatible with any PC game supporting FreeTrack or TrackIR protocol: • Microsoft Flight Simulator • Digital Combat Simulator (DCS) • Euro Truck Simulator 2 / American Truck Simulator • IL-2 Sturmovik • Star Citizen • Assetto Corsa • …and hundreds more EASY SETUP Connect to OpenTrack (free, open-source) on your PC via WiFi or USB. Enter your PC's IP address, tap Calibrate, and start tracking in under a minute. On Your PC: 1. Download and install OpenTrack: https://git.io/JUs2U 2. Set Input to "UDP over network" 3. Set Output to "freetrack 2.0 Enhanced" 4. Ensure port 4242 is open on your firewall On Your Phone: 1. Launch Smart Head Track and enter your PC's IP address 2. Align your face and tap Calibrate 3. Press Start on both the app and OpenTrack PRECISE CALIBRATION Adjust each of the 6 axes (X, Y, Z, Yaw, Pitch, Roll) independently. Per-axis sensitivity, inversion, and offset controls let you dial in exactly the feel you want. SIMULATION MODE Preview your tracking in a virtual 3D cockpit before connecting to your PC — perfect for testing your calibration settings. BUILT FOR LONG SESSIONS • Power Save — Dim the camera view, hide overlays, or switch to minimal UI while tracking continues • Connection Monitor — Get notified if the link to OpenTrack drops so you can troubleshoot quickly AR FACE OVERLAYS Pilot helmets, sunglasses, combat gear, and more — add fun overlays to your camera feed while tracking. FREE & PRO The core tracking experience is free with a daily time limit. Unlock unlimited tracking and all face overlays with a one-time Pro purchase. CONNECTIVITY • WiFi: UDP over your local network (default port 4242) • USB: Direct cable connection via companion desktop app • iPad: Full landscape orientation support Privacy Policy: https://www.tinacinc.com/SmartHeadTrack/privacy_policy.html

Screenshots

Smart Head Track for OpenTrack4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Smart Head Track for OpenTrack at Free against iControl DCS's $29.99. Smart Head Track for OpenTrack also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 4 months) and ratings volume (39 vs 11). iControl DCS's advantage is rating (4.9 vs 3.2) and in-app purchases (none vs 1). On ads and device support 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

Smart Head Track for OpenTrack is free to download; iControl DCS costs $29.99 up front. Smart Head Track for OpenTrack sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. iControl DCS asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

iControl DCS holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 3.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 11 and 39 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 71% of iControl DCS's written reviews are positive against 63% of Smart Head Track for OpenTrack's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

iControl DCS ships an update every 4 months, Smart Head Track for OpenTrack weekly. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
iControl DCS versus Smart Head Track for OpenTrack: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameteriControl DCSSmart Head Track for OpenTrack
Price$29.99Free — better
Rating4.9 (11 ratings) — better3.2 (39 ratings)
Positive reviews71.4% of reviews — better62.9% of reviews
Number of ratings1139 — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS12.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size3 MB103 MB
Age rating17+4+
Developerbit-shift.comTINAC Inc.

Customer experience

iControl DCS

All ratings10 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews28 reviews
Positive71.4%
Neutral0.0%
Negative28.6%

Smart Head Track for OpenTrack

All ratings37 ratings
Positive48.6%
Neutral10.8%
Negative40.5%
Written reviews70 reviews
Positive62.9%
Neutral5.7%
Negative31.4%

Bugs and requests

iControl DCS

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Smart Head Track for OpenTrack

Reported bugs

10 issues
  • App crashes when switching to USB
  • USB connection not working
  • Tracking is lost easily
  • Buggy tracking performance
  • Headtrack exe won't start after Windows reinstall
Show 5 more
  • View is all over the place
  • Small movements result in track loss
  • Glitching and spamming in-game camera
  • Center position not staying consistent
  • Windows 10 won't open port

Requested features

10 requests
  • Allow choice of camera on phone
  • Background mode for headtracking
  • Delay on re-centering
  • Automatic re-center feature
  • Wired/USB connection support
Show 5 more
  • Support for landscape mode
  • Change sensitivity option
  • Improve low light performance
  • More detailed setup instructions
  • Video tutorial for setup

In-app purchases

None

iControl DCS

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Smart Head Track for OpenTrack

One-time1
  • Pro Upgrade$8.99

Questions

Is iControl DCS free?
iControl DCS costs $29.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Smart Head Track for OpenTrack free?
Smart Head Track for OpenTrack is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, iControl DCS or Smart Head Track for OpenTrack?
iControl DCS is rated higher. iControl DCS averages 4.9 out of 5 from 11 ratings, while Smart Head Track for OpenTrack averages 3.2 from 39 ratings.
Do iControl DCS or Smart Head Track for OpenTrack have ads?
Neither iControl DCS nor Smart Head Track for OpenTrack shows ads.
Which is updated more often, iControl DCS or Smart Head Track for OpenTrack?
iControl DCS ships an update every 4 months, and Smart Head Track for OpenTrack weekly. Most recently, iControl DCS was updated on November 1, 2026 and Smart Head Track for OpenTrack on November 3, 2026.

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