Remote HMI vs WinCC Sm@rtClient
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Remote HMI
Access and control C-more HMI panels remotely in real-time. Monitor screen operations, capture screenshots, and manage user access levels for enhanced security and operational flexibility. Requires a compatible C-more panel and specific firmware.
- Real-time remote monitoring and control
- Save JPEG screen captures
- Zoom and capture specific screen areas
- Multilevel logon security with 3 accounts
- Up to five simultaneous remote users per account
- Configurable access levels (Full control, View only, View/Screen change)
- User-defined tags for alarms and notifications
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Remote HMI is an application for real time remote monitoring and control for the C-more HMI (Human Machine Interface) product line offered by Automationdirect.com. For this app to function as designed, a C-more panel that supports remote connectivity is required. Note: Important steps for improving the C-more remote Access Performance for the EA9 Series panels. 1. Update the C-more EA9 Panel firmware to version 6.31 or later. 2. Make sure the C-more project display resolution is set for the native resolution of the C-more panel. This can be done in the programming software under Panel Manager settings. 3. See the app note on the support.automationdirect.com web page for more details (App Note AN-EA-017). Main Features of this App. - Monitor and control screen operations of the C-more panel as if touching the panel itself - Users can save jpeg screen captures to review, email and print if needed - The iPhone or apple Zoom feature allows the user to zoom in on specific objects on the screen and then save a screen capture if needed - Multilevel Logon Security offers three Remote Access user accounts that can be configured and stored in the panel project. Each account allows up to five remote users to be connected simultaneously. - Multilevel Access Control allows each account to be configured in one of the following levels of access. Full control access, View only access, View and Screen change only access - User Access Control: User Defined internal tags can be configured to customize the Remote access for each account. These tags can be used to activate alarms, events or notifications to alert local operators that a remote user is connected. The Disable/Enable Tags can be assigned to a switch in the C-more project to allow local operators the ability to enable or disable the remote access feature for security or safety reasons. Requirements to use the Remote HMI App are: • iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch iOS version 4.2 or later • C-more Panel with Ethernet support •The C-more Panel must be using firmware Version 2.73 or later. When upgrading the C-more Panel firmware from a version older than 2.4, the panel will need to be reset to factory default to add the updated “Remote Access” HTML link. Firmware is updated using the C-more programming software. It is not recommended to upgrade firmware remotely. • C-more Programming Software Version 2.73 or later is required to program and configure a C-more panel to support the Remote HMI App. • The Remote Access feature must be enabled in the C-more panel project • The C-more Panel must have compatible network settings with the device running the Remote HMI App, or the panel must be accessible from the Internet. • Although the Remote Access for the C-more panel can be configured with password protection, connecting the C-more panel on an Enterprise network or the Internet exposes security risks. A secure and encrypted VPN connection is highly recommended if the C-more panel will be accessible from the Internet. A VPN (Virtual Private Network) uses encryption and other security mechanisms to ensure that only authorized users are allowed to connect and that the data cannot be intercepted. A VPN greatly reduces the chances of malicious behavior and unauthorized connections.
WinCC Sm@rtClient
This app enables remote operation and observation of industrial HMI systems over Industrial Ethernet or WLAN. It allows a smartphone or tablet to act as a client, mirroring and controlling the display of a server-configured HMI panel. Enjoy full operational control or a view-only mode for seamless industrial system management.
- Remote operation of HMI systems
- View-only mode
- Coordinated operation with single user control
- Automatic HMI panel detection
- Mirroring of device layout and hardware buttons
- Industrial Ethernet/WLAN connectivity
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The SIMATIC WinCC Sm@rtClient App, in combination with the SIMATIC WinCC Sm@rtServer, allows remote mobile operation and observation of SIMATIC HMI-systems over Industrial Ethernet/WLAN (wireless). The app is available for SIMATIC HMI Comfort Panels and SIMATIC WinCC Runtime Ad-vanced. The scope of the Sm@rtClient concept allows an operation station to make its display available to the app. The station takes on the role of a Sm@rtServer, while the Smartphone/Tablet takes on the role of the Sm@rtClient. Sm@rtServer functionality can easily be activated with a single mouse click in the device’s configuration settings. The screen can be displayed on the Sm@rtClient by means of a Sm@rtClient display in "View only" mode, but a full-fledged, coordinated operation can be set up as well. "Coordinated operation" implies that at any one time only one user has the right of operation, i.e. either the operator station with Sm@rtServer function or the Sm@rtClient app. Additionally the app supports easy connection configuration by automatic HMI panel detection. Not only does the Sm@rtClient app show a selected display, but it additionally shows the complete layout of the station device, including any functional hardware buttons on the device. As such, device operation may be performed as if the user was directly in front of the device, only that the buttons aren’t actually pressed, but rather are activated with a press on the display of a Smartphone or tablet. SIMATIC WinCC Sm@rtServer: http://www.industry.siemens.com/topics/global/en/tia-portal/hmi-sw-tia-portal/wincc-tia-portal-options/simatic-wincc-smartserver/Pages/Default.aspx
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Remote HMI at 4.0 against WinCC Sm@rtClient's 3.0. Remote HMI also leads on review sentiment (60% vs 25%). WinCC Sm@rtClient's advantage is update cadence (every 6 months vs every 32 months). On price, ratings volume, 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Remote HMI holds the better App Store score, 4.0 against 3.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 12 and 6 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 60% of Remote HMI's written reviews are positive against 25% of WinCC Sm@rtClient's.
Remote HMI ships an update every 32 months, WinCC Sm@rtClient every 6 months. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and October 4, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Remote HMI | WinCC Sm@rtClient |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.0 (12 ratings) — better | 3.0 (6 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 60.0% of reviews — better | 25.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 12 — better | 6 |
| Update frequency | Every 32 months | Every 6 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 | 11.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 9 MB | 24 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Automationdirect.com | Siemens Industry Software Inc. |
Customer experience
Remote HMI
WinCC Sm@rtClient
In-app purchases
Remote HMI
No in-app purchases
WinCC Sm@rtClient
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Remote HMI free?
Is WinCC Sm@rtClient free?
Which has better reviews, Remote HMI or WinCC Sm@rtClient?
Do Remote HMI or WinCC Sm@rtClient have ads?
Which is updated more often, Remote HMI or WinCC Sm@rtClient?
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