Garmin Audio vs UE | BOOM
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.
UE | BOOM
Enhance your audio experience with this app designed to control and customize compatible wireless speakers. Connect multiple speakers for synchronized playback, adjust sound profiles, and manage speaker settings remotely. Stay updated with the latest features through seamless software updates.
- Connect up to 150 speakers with PartyUp
- Customizable EQ and sound control
- Remote power on/off and speaker management
- Personalize speaker name and presets
- Update speaker software with new features
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The BOOM app by Ultimate Ears has everything you need to get the most out of your Ultimate Ears speaker. From PartyUp to customizable EQ, unlock even more awesome ways to use your BOOM series speakers. - PartyUp lets you connect up to 150 speakers to take your parties to a whole new level - wherever, whenever, whatever! - You control the sound: All about that bass? In a tight space? You control the atmosphere with a couple of built-in EQ and custom options. - Remote control: Use the app to turn power on/off your speakers and other controls from afar. - Much more: personalize your speaker’s name, EQ preferences, and preset playlists (BOOM 3, MEGABOOM 3, BOOM 4,MEGABOOM 4, HYPERBOOM, EPICBOOM and EVERBOOM only) - Subscribe to updates so you never miss a thing. A simple tap in the app updates your speaker with the latest features in no time. - Sign-up to subscribe to Ultimate Ears newsletters and special offers.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: UE | BOOM at 4.8 against Garmin Audio's 4.0. UE | BOOM also leads on ratings volume (61K vs 459) and chart position (#147 vs unranked). Garmin Audio's advantage is review sentiment (69% vs 48%). On price, update cadence, 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.
UE | BOOM holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: UE | BOOM has 61K ratings behind it against 459, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 69% of Garmin Audio's written reviews are positive against 48% of UE | BOOM'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, UE | BOOM every 2 months. Both last shipped on October 29, 2026.
| Parameter | Garmin Audio | UE | BOOM |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.0 (459 ratings) | 4.8 (61K ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 69.5% of reviews — better | 47.5% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 459 | 61K — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Every 2 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Best chart rank | — | #147 — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | 16.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 55 MB | 213 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Garmin International | Logitech Inc. |
Customer experience
Garmin Audio
UE | BOOM
User reviews
Garmin Audio
From 459 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
UE | BOOM
From 61K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Exceptional sound quality
- 🚀 Portable and waterproof
- 🚀 Ability to connect multiple speakers
- 👍 Great battery life
- 👍 Easy to use app
Room to improve
- 🐛 Connectivity issues with the app
- 🐛 Unreliable party up feature
- 🐛 App crashes and disconnects
- 🔋 Battery drains quickly when not in use
- 🔋 Charging issues
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
UE | BOOM
Reported bugs
4 issues- App unable to recognize or connect to speakers
- Inaccurate battery level reporting
- Remote power on/off feature not working
- Firmware update process is unreliable
Requested features
4 requests- Add Spotify support for one-touch playlists
- Implement dark mode in the app
- Allow custom EQ settings to be saved
- Add support for Wonderboom speakers
In-app purchases
Garmin Audio
No in-app purchases
UE | BOOM
No in-app purchases
