Comparison

JRemote vs iControlAV5

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

Head to head
About

JRemote

Control your JRiver Media Center library remotely from your iOS devices. Manage playback, edit metadata, and stream audio, even outside your home network. Supports DLNA devices and CarPlay.

Highlights
  • Full remote control of JRiver Media Center
  • DLNA device control and zone management
  • Automatic and manual server setup
  • Edit and view file metadata
  • Playback controls with HUD
  • Audio streaming to iOS device
  • CarPlay enabled
Features
Read full description

JRemote is a full featured native iOS remote for JRiver Media Center. JRemote was developed to offer you full remote control of your JRiver Media Center from any of your iDevices. Please note that you need JRiver Media Center version 15 or later. We recommend you always run the latest version. Features and specs: Universal app JRemote is a universal iOS application. The application will run on both iPhone/iPod touch as well as iPad’s. Each version is optimized for it`s screen size. Navigation JRemote uses the navigation setup from JRMC itself. This allows you to customize the navigation menu and sub-menus from within the JRiver application. - Multiple view modes (list, imagelist, thumbnails) - Search using JRMC`s fuzzy search engine - Virtual remote for controlling theater view DLNA and zones Use JRemote to control all your DLNA supported devices. Any device supported in JRMC can be controlled from JRemote by switching to that specific zone. You can link and unlink zone for multi-room playback. Easy setup Connecting to your computer is fully automatic, no need to enter your IP-address and Port number. You only need to enter the access key found in JRMC`s option panel (We do provide an option for you to add IP-address and Port manually if needed). - JRemote will let you connect to your server from outside your wifi, using standard mobile networks. For this to work you need to configure port forwarding on your internet router. - Wake-On-LAN is supported if you provide your machines MAC address. (Automatic when adding a server by access key) - JRemote is CarPlay enabled. Edit and view metadata Any metadata attached to a specific file can be viewed and edited. You can update multiple files in one operation. Rating may be set from multiple locations depending on iPhone/iPad version. Player controls JRemote includes all common playback controls including repeat mode, and shuffle mode. Control volume and progress from sliders while getting feedback from the HUD display Audio streaming JRemote lets you stream all your audio files to the device itself. Just select “This device” as the current zone. - Gapless playback - Stream any file up to 96kHz, 24 bit - Downloaded progress indicator - Supported audio formats include AAC, AIFF, ALAC, APE, DSF/DFF, FLAC, M4A, MP3, OGG, and WAV. - All files may be transcoded to MP3 from 128Kbs up to 320Kbs

About

iControlAV5

Control compatible Pioneer AV receivers and Blu-ray players from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. Adjust volume, switch inputs, select listening modes, and even power devices on and off remotely. Offers advanced control and a user-friendly interface optimized for larger screens.

Highlights
  • Complete receiver control
  • Input switching
  • Listening mode selection
  • Volume adjustment
  • Power on/off
  • Advanced SOUND EXPLORER control
  • Optimized iPad interface
Features
Read full description

Completely redesigned for 2014, iControlAV5 gives you complete control of your compatible Pioneer AV Receiver and Blu-ray Disc player using your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. (*A note regarding AV Receiver compatibility: iControlAV5 works with compatible AV receivers. A complete list of compatible models is available below. ) Not only can you control the basic features of your AV receiver like volume, switching inputs, select the listening mode and power on and off. iControlAV5 turns your iOS device into an advanced remote control, giving full control (i.e. SOUND EXPLORER) of your new AV receiver, and in a fun and intuitive way. Designed for both iPhone and iPad, the iPad version has a unique user interface specifically designed to take advantage of the iPad device's larger screen. *Set the network standby --> "ON" beforehand, you can turn ON your AV receiver with iControlAV5. Compatible AV receiver models USA/Canada: SC-LX901,SC-LX801,SC-LX701,SC-LX501,VSX-LX301,VSX-1131,VSX-LX101,VSX-831, SC-99,SC-97,SC-95,SC-91,VSX-90,VSX-1130,VSX-45,VSX-830, SC-89,SC-87,SC-85,SC-82,SC-81,VSX-80,VSX-1124,VSX-44,VSX-1024,VSX-1029,VSX-824, SC-79,SC-77,SC-75,SC-1523,SC-1528,SC-72,SC-1323,SC-1328,SC-71,SC-1223,SC-1228,VSX-70,VSX-1123,VSX-1128,VSX-1028,VSX-43,VSX-1023,VSX-823, SC-68,SC-67,SC-65,SC-1522,SC-1527,SC-63,SC-61,SC-1222,SC-1227,VSX-60,VSX-1122,VSX-1127,VSX-1027,VSX-42,VSX-1022,VSX-822, SC-57,SC-55,VSX-53,VSX-52,VSX-51,VSX-50,VSX-1121,VSX-1021,SC-1526,VSX-1326,VSX-1126,VSX-1026,VSX-926 Central and South America : SC-99,SC-97,SC-95,SC-91,VSX-90,VSX-1130,VSX-45,SC-LX89,SC-LX79,SC-LX59,VSX-930,VSX-830, SC-87,SC-82,SC-81,VSX-80,VSX-1124,VSX-924,VSX-824, SC-79,SC-77,SC-72,VSX-70,SC-LX87,SC-LX77,SC-LX57,VSX-1123,VSX-923,VSX-43,VSX-823, SC-68,SC-67,SC-65,SC-63,SC-61,VSX-60,VSX-1122,SC-LX56,VSX-922,VSX-42,VSX-1022,VSX-822, SC-57,SC-55,VSX-53,VSX-52,VSX-51,VSX-50,VSX-1021,VSX-LX55,VSX-921 Europe : SC-LX901,SC-LX801,SC-LX701,SC-LX501,VSX-1131,VSX-831,VSX-S520, SC-LX89,SC-LX79,SC-LX59,VSX-1130,VSX-930,VSX-830, SC-LX88,SC-LX78,SC-LX58,SC-2024,SC-1224,VSX-924,VSX-824,VSX-529, SC-LX87,SC-LX77,SC-LX57,SC-2023,SC-1223,VSX-1123,VSX-923,VSX-S510,VSX-828,VSX-528, SC-LX86,SC-LX76,SC-LX56,SC-2022,VSX-1122,VSX-922,VSX-827,VSX-527, SC-LX85,SC-LX75,VSX-LX55,VSX-2021,VSX-1021,VSX-921 Asean : SC-LX89,SC-LX79,SC-LX59,VSX-930,VSX-830, SC-LX88,SC-LX78,SC-LX58,SC-2024,SC-1224,VSX-924,VSX-824, SC-LX87,SC-LX77,SC-LX57,SC-2023,SC-1223,VSX-1123,VSX-923,VSX-823, SC-LX86,SC-LX76,SC-LX56,SC-2022,VSX-1122,VSX-922,VSX-822, SC-LX85,SC-LX75,VSX-LX55,VSX-1021,VSX-921 Oceania : VSX-1131, VSX-831, SC-LX89,SC-LX79,SC-LX59,VSX-1130,VSX-930,VSX-830, SC-LX88,SC-LX78,SC-LX58,SC-2024,SC-1224,VSX-924,VSX-824,VSX-529, SC-LX87,SC-LX77,SC-LX57,SC-2023,SC-1223,VSX-1123,VSX-923,VSX-828,VSX-528, SC-LX86,SC-LX76,SC-LX56,SC-2022,VSX-1122,VSX-922,VSX-827,VSX-527, SC-LX85,SC-LX75,VSX-LX55,VSX-2021,VSX-1021,VSX-921 Middle-East : SC-LX89,SC-LX79,SC-LX59,VSX-930,VSX-830, SC-LX88,SC-LX78,SC-LX58,SC-2024,SC-1224,VSX-924,VSX-824, SC-LX87,SC-LX77,SC-LX57,SC-2023,SC-1223,VSX-1123,VSX-923,VSX-823 SC-LX86,SC-LX76,SC-LX56,SC-2022,VSX-1122,VSX-922,VSX-822, SC-LX85,SC-LX75,VSX-LX55,VSX-1021,VSX-921 East-Asia : VSX-831, SC-LX89,SC-LX79,SC-LX59,VSX-930,VSX-830, SC-LX88,SC-LX78,SC-LX58,SC-1224,VSX-924,VSX-824, SC-LX87,SC-LX77,SC-LX57,SC-1223,VSX-1123,VSX-923,VSX-S510,VSX-823, SC-LX86,SC-LX76,SC-LX56,VSX-1122,VSX-922,VSX-822, SC-LX85,SC-LX75,VSX-LX55,VSX-1021,VSX-921 Compatible Blu-ray Disc player models USA/Canada : BDP-33FD,BDP-31FD,BDP-330,BDP-43FD,BDP-41FD,BDP-430,BDP-53FD,BDP-52FD,BDP-140,BDP-62FD,BDP-150,BDP-80FD,BDP-85FD,BDP-88FD Europe : BDP-LX53,BDP-330,BDP-333,BDP-LX54,BDP-430,BDP-LX55,BDP-440,BDP-140,BDP-450,BDP-150,BDP-160,BDP-170,BDP-LX58,BDP-LX88,BDP-180,BDP-100,BDP-X300 Other Countries : BDP-LX53,BDP-330,BDP-LX54,BDP-430,BDP-LX55,BDP-440,BDP-140,BDP-450,BDP-150,BDP-160,BDP-170,BDP-LX58,BDP-LX88,BDP-180

Screenshots

JRemote4 screens
iControlAV54 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: iControlAV5 at Free against JRemote's $12.99. iControlAV5 also leads on ratings volume (258 vs 28) and iOS requirement (6.1 vs 13.0). JRemote's advantage is rating (3.8 vs 2.2) and review sentiment (63% vs 39%). On update cadence, ads, in-app purchases 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

iControlAV5 is free to download; JRemote costs $12.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

JRemote holds the better App Store score, 3.8 against 2.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: iControlAV5 has 258 ratings behind it against 28, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 63% of JRemote's written reviews are positive against 39% of iControlAV5's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 27, 2026 and September 28, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
JRemote versus iControlAV5: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterJRemoteiControlAV5
Price$12.99Free — better
Rating3.8 (28 ratings) — better2.2 (258 ratings)
Positive reviews62.6% of reviews — better38.6% of reviews
Number of ratings28258 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.06.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size53 MB99 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJRiver11 Trading Company LLC

Customer experience

JRemote

All ratings28 ratings
Positive67.9%
Neutral14.3%
Negative17.9%
Written reviews302 reviews
Positive62.6%
Neutral13.6%
Negative23.8%

iControlAV5

All ratings258 ratings
Positive28.3%
Neutral5.4%
Negative66.3%
Written reviews412 reviews
Positive38.6%
Neutral9.0%
Negative52.4%

User reviews

JRemote

From 28 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Excellent remote control
  • 🔒 Stable and reliable
  • 👍 Intuitive and user-friendly interface
  • 🚀 Fast and responsive
  • 👍 Great companion to JRiver Media Center

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Crashes and connection issues
  • 🐛 Compatibility problems with latest iOS versions
  • 🐛 Bugs with video playback
  • 🐛 Settings revert unexpectedly
  • 🔋 High battery consumption

iControlAV5

From 258 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 📱 Convenient app control
  • 🎛️ Extensive receiver settings
  • 🔊 Excellent sound quality control
  • ⚙️ Customizable input names

Room to improve

  • 🔌 Connectivity issues
  • 🔍 Difficult to find/connect receiver
  • 🤯 Buggy and crashes frequently
  • 🕰️ Slow and laggy performance
  • 🚫 Lack of updates and support

Bugs and requests

JRemote

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Crashes when trying to play videos
  • Inability to connect to media server
  • Inconsistent behavior when changing media server IP
  • Playback issues with certain audio formats
  • Album art not updating when song changes

Requested features

8 requests
  • Offline music playback
  • Ability to control DSP settings
  • Customizable views and layouts
  • Gapless playback
  • Playlist creation and management
Show 3 more
  • CarPlay support
  • Synced cover art display
  • Metadata editing capabilities

iControlAV5

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • App crashes on startup
  • Unable to connect to receiver
  • Settings reset unexpectedly
  • Compatibility issues with iOS updates

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add speaker A/B selection
  • Improve network stability
  • Streamline user interface
  • Expand compatibility with older models

In-app purchases

None

JRemote

No in-app purchases

None

iControlAV5

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is JRemote free?
JRemote costs $12.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is iControlAV5 free?
iControlAV5 is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, JRemote or iControlAV5?
JRemote is rated higher. JRemote averages 3.8 out of 5 from 28 ratings, while iControlAV5 averages 2.2 from 258 ratings.
Do JRemote or iControlAV5 have ads?
Neither JRemote nor iControlAV5 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, JRemote or iControlAV5?
JRemote ships an update every 3 months, and iControlAV5 every 3 months. Most recently, JRemote was updated on September 27, 2026 and iControlAV5 on September 28, 2026.

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