# Garmin Audio vs Bose

The clearest difference is rating: Bose at 4.8 against Garmin Audio's 4.0. Bose also leads on ratings volume (182K vs 461) and update cadence (monthly vs every 3 months). Garmin Audio's advantage is monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases) and review sentiment (69% vs 47%). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

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

Bose holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Bose has 182K ratings behind it against 461, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 69% of Garmin Audio's written reviews are positive against 47% of Bose's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Garmin Audio ships an update every 3 months, Bose monthly. Both last shipped on November 6, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Garmin Audio | Bose |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.0 (461 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/garmin-audio/id520377783/reviews) | **[4.8 (182K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bose/id1364986984/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 461 | **182K** |
| Positive reviews | **69.5% of reviews** | 47.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Monthly** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | — | **#10** |
| Size | 55 MB | 1.1 GB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **17.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | +4 |
| Developer | [Garmin](https://appshunter.io/developer/411046952) | [Bose Corporation](https://appshunter.io/developer/425230041) |

## What reviewers say

### Garmin Audio

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/garmin-audio/id520377783)

Control your marine entertainment system wirelessly from your device. Manage music sources, adjust volume zones, and navigate your library with ease. Optimize audio with advanced DSP settings for a premium listening experience on the water.

**Highlights:** Wireless remote control, Music source navigation, Independent volume zone control, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, Album art display, Over-the-air software updates, Digital Signal Processing (DSP) setup

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use
- 🚀 Convenient remote control
- 💡 Great for multi-zone audio control
- 🎨 Intuitive interface
- 🔊 Excellent sound quality

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Connectivity issues
- 🔍 Inconsistent app performance
- 🔌 Difficulty updating firmware
- 🤖 Lack of Apple Watch support
- 🔇 Volume control problems

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes when adjusting volume
- Bluetooth disconnects frequently
- Fails to detect stereo system
- Inconsistent zone control functionality

**Requested features**

- Apple Watch app
- More customization options
- Improved Bluetooth/WiFi reliability
- Streamlined firmware update process


### Bose

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bose/id1364986984)

**Currently charting:** #10 Top Free · Music (US App Store)

Control all your Bose audio products from a single app. Personalize noise cancellation, customize EQ settings, and set up your devices for seamless listening. Access your favorite music services and playlists with one-touch ease.

**Highlights:** Unified control for Bose products, Controllable noise cancellation, Customizable EQ settings, One-touch music presets, Integrated music streaming

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Easy setup and programming
- 🔊 Impressive sound quality
- 👍 Useful app features
- 💡 Customizable EQ and noise cancelling

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Connectivity issues and app crashes
- 🔌 Unreliable Bluetooth connection
- 🤖 Lack of accessibility and voice control options
- 🤔 Confusing app layout and navigation

**Reported bugs**

- App frequently fails to recognize connected devices
- Noise cancelling settings revert to default unexpectedly
- Bluetooth pairing and reconnection issues
- Forced firmware updates causing sound quality degradation

**Requested features**

- Add landscape mode support for iPad
- Improve multi-device connectivity and switching
- Provide more customization options for noise cancelling
- Integrate with more music services like Apple Music


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Garmin Audio free?

Garmin Audio is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Bose free?

Bose is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Garmin Audio or Bose?

Bose is rated higher. Garmin Audio averages 4.0 out of 5 from 461 ratings, while Bose averages 4.8 from 182K ratings.

### Do Garmin Audio or Bose have ads?

Neither Garmin Audio nor Bose shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Garmin Audio or Bose?

Garmin Audio ships an update every 3 months, and Bose monthly. Most recently, Garmin Audio was updated on November 6, 2026 and Bose on November 6, 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.*