Garmin Audio vs Sonos
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Garmin Audio
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.
- 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
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The free Garmin Audio app puts entertainment control in the palm of your hand. Whether you’re on the move or at the helm, this app gives you quick access to wireless remote control of your compatible JL Audio® or Fusion® stereo via Bluetooth® or Wi-Fi® connectivity (Wi-Fi available on select stereo models only). Enjoy play / pause / skip audio control with source selection, individual zone volume control and the ability to adjust music / stereo settings (including choosing albums, artists and playlists). You will also be able to access over-the-air software updates allowing you to easily keep your compatible stereo up-to-date with the latest features. The app supports Digital Signal Processing (DSP) setup with the Easy Tune feature; where you can select customized speaker, subwoofer, amplifier and environmental profiles to enjoy premium audio that is optimized for your boat, resulting in a superior listening experience. DSP also protects your audio system by adjusting the power output to your system components. Keep a look out for future app updates which may introduce new features and improvements.
Sonos
This app centralizes your music and audio content for seamless control of your home sound system. Easily manage playback across multiple rooms, discover new music, and personalize your listening experience with saved favorites and custom settings.
- Unified content and control
- Multi-room audio playback
- Streaming service integration
- Personalized music library
- Easy product setup
- Voice control integration
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The Sonos app brings all your content and settings together in one place for effortless control of your Sonos products and listening experience. ONE TAP TO ALL YOUR FAVORITE SOUNDS The Home screen puts all your content and controls right at your fingertips. Quickly jump back into your recent favorites, discover new music, and fill your home with Sonos sound. STREAMING STREAMLINED Browse, search, and play content from all your services with a single app, including Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Pandora, TIDAL, Audible, Deezer, iHeartRadio, and SiriusXM. WHOLE-HOME CONTROL Play something different in every part of your home or the same thing everywhere. The Sonos app gives you complete control of your Sonos products and listening experience from any room. PERSONALIZED LISTENING Create your ultimate music library by saving go-to artists, albums, playlists, and stations to Sonos Favorites. Fine-tune products for your space with Trueplay™. And adjust settings for your needs and preferences. EASY SETUP The app automatically detects your Sonos products, then it’s only a few taps to incredible sound. Easily set up a stereo pair, create a cinematic surround sound system, and add speakers to more rooms. GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR SONOS EXPERIENCE Enable Sonos Voice Control to play music and control your system with hands-free ease and unheard-of privacy.* Explore helpful tips and recommendations in your Message Center. *Requires a voice-enabled Sonos product. Sonos Voice Control not available in all languages and countries.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Garmin Audio at 69% against Sonos's 17%. Garmin Audio also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ads (none vs shown). Sonos's advantage is rating (4.6 vs 4.0) and update cadence (fortnightly vs every 3 months). On price, device support and iOS requirement 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. Sonos sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $9.99 per month. Garmin Audio asks for nothing beyond the download.
Sonos holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Sonos has 927K ratings behind it against 453, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 69% of Garmin Audio's written reviews are positive against 17% of Sonos'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, Sonos fortnightly. Both last shipped on September 25, 2026.
| Parameter | Garmin Audio | Sonos |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.0 (453 ratings) | 4.6 (927K ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 69.1% of reviews — better | 17.2% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 453 | 927K — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Fortnightly — better |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | — | #22 — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 — better | 18.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 54 MB | 208 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | Garmin | Sonos, Inc. |
Customer experience
Garmin Audio
Sonos
User reviews
Garmin Audio
From 453 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 👍 Easy to use
- 🚀 Convenient remote control
- 💡 Great for multi-zone audio control
- 🎨 Intuitive interface
- 🔊 Excellent sound quality
Room to improve
- 🐛 Connectivity issues
- 🔍 Inconsistent app performance
- 🔌 Difficulty updating firmware
- 🤖 Lack of Apple Watch support
- 🔇 Volume control problems
Sonos
From 927K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Seamless upgrade process
- 🔒 Robust connectivity
- 👍 Great sound quality
Room to improve
- 🐛 Frequent connectivity issues
- 🔍 Confusing and buggy app
- ⏱️ Slow and unresponsive app
- 🔄 Speakers randomly disappearing
- 🤯 Frustrating app updates
Bugs and requests
Garmin Audio
Reported bugs
4 issues- App crashes when adjusting volume
- Bluetooth disconnects frequently
- Fails to detect stereo system
- Inconsistent zone control functionality
Requested features
4 requests- Apple Watch app
- More customization options
- Improved Bluetooth/WiFi reliability
- Streamlined firmware update process
Sonos
Reported bugs
3 issues- App unable to connect to speakers
- Speakers not recognized after updates
- Inconsistent volume and playback controls
Requested features
3 requests- Improved app stability and responsiveness
- Restore legacy features (alarms, queues, etc.)
- Customizable app interface
In-app purchases
Garmin Audio
No in-app purchases
Sonos
- Sonos Radio HD Monthly1 Month trial$9.991 Month







