Comparison

Compass Control vs Control Envy

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

Head to head
About

Compass Control

This app transforms your iOS device into a universal remote for home automation and entertainment systems. It integrates with a wide range of third-party hardware for seamless control of AV equipment, thermostats, and security systems.

Highlights
  • Universal remote functionality
  • Smart home automation
  • AV system control
  • Thermostat control
  • Alarm system control
  • Third-party hardware integration
Features
Read full description

Compass Control represents the first fully integrated major control system built from the ground up to use Apple's iOS devices - iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch - as its backbone. Let Compass Control be your guide to complete control for your residential or commercial application. Compass Control replaces all of your remotes and traditional control interfaces with one device. Compass Control becomes your cable remote, TV remote, thermostat, alarm control panel, and many other remote devices all contained in the sleek and beautiful shape of Apple's family of iOS powered devices. Compass Control has an entire family of integrated devices allowing plug and play thanks to our Key Alliance Partners: Aprilaire, Denon, Furman, iPort, Key Digital, Lutron, Luxul, Marantz, Onkyo, Panamax, Russound, and SurgeX. Key Alliance third party hardware combined with Compass Control provides seamless integration and unparalleled capability for your entire AV or 'smart' automation system. To use the application for actual control of components please contact an approved Compass Control reseller or sales@keydigital.com for System Creating assistance.

About

Control Envy

This app offers a unified interface to manage video, audio, lighting, and climate systems. It can function as a user interface connected to a dedicated controller or as a standalone controller for direct device management.

Highlights
  • Control video displays, projectors, and sources
  • Manage audio processors, receivers, and sources
  • Operate lighting systems
  • Adjust climate control systems
  • Combined mode with dedicated controller
  • Standalone mode for direct device control
Features
Read full description

Control Envy is a single, elegant app to control: - VIDEO displays, projectors, switchers, and sources; - AUDIO processors, receivers, switchers, and sources; - LIGHTING systems; and - CLIMATE systems. COMBINED Mode In combined mode, Control Envy works as a user interface that connects to a dedicated, always-on controller. Combined mode is preferable when using multiple user interfaces or when controlling many devices. STANDALONE Mode In standalone mode, Control Envy works as its own controller and connects directly to controlled devices. Standalone mode is ideal for demos and for single rooms.

Screenshots

Compass Control4 screens
Control Envy3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Control Envy at 5.0 against Compass Control's 4.3. Control Envy also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 3 months). Compass Control's advantage is ratings volume (7 vs 1) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 16.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Control Envy holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Compass Control has 7 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Compass Control ships an update every 3 months, Control Envy every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on June 10, 2026 and August 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Compass Control versus Control Envy: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCompass ControlControl Envy
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (7 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings7 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS11.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size96 MB98 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperKey DigitalControl Envy

Customer experience

Compass Control

All ratings6 ratings
Positive83.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative16.7%
Written reviews6 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

Control Envy

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Compass Control

No in-app purchases

None

Control Envy

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Compass Control free?
Compass Control is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Control Envy free?
Control Envy is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Compass Control or Control Envy?
Control Envy is rated higher. Compass Control averages 4.3 out of 5 from 7 ratings, while Control Envy averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Compass Control or Control Envy have ads?
Neither Compass Control nor Control Envy shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Compass Control or Control Envy?
Compass Control ships an update every 3 months, and Control Envy every 3 weeks. Most recently, Compass Control was updated on June 10, 2026 and Control Envy on August 1, 2026.

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