Comparison

Garmin Audio vs HEOS

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

Head to head
About

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.

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
Read full description

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.

About

HEOS

Control a wide range of connected audio devices from Denon, Marantz, and Definitive Technology. Stream music from online services or local storage, and enjoy true multi-room audio with easy setup and intuitive control.

Highlights
  • True multi-room audio
  • Quick and easy setup
  • Access online music services
  • Search across multiple music sources
  • Control playback remotely
  • Access locally stored music
Features
Read full description

HEOS is the controller app for the world’s biggest and best range of connected audio gear. It is a smart music streaming technology found in all devices Powered by HEOS from Denon, Marantz, and Definitive Technology. HEOS is for music lovers who want a beautiful and intuitive way to enjoy the latest advances in connected audio. You can find HEOS built into great sounding AV receivers, Hi-Fi equipment, sound bars, speakers, mini systems and specialty multi-room models. Features: True multi-room audio: play different songs in different rooms or the same song in multiple rooms. Quick and easy setup: add all your speakers with step-by-step instructions. Instant access to your favorite music: play from your favorite online music services, like Spotify, Amazon Music, TIDAL, and more. Search your music in one place: use one search function to browse across multiple music sources. See what’s playing any time: play, pause, and skip music from anywhere in the app. Access locally stored music: play music saved to your phone, USB, analog inputs, computers, and NAS drives. Share with your friends and family: support for multiple users and multiple music service accounts.

Screenshots

Garmin Audio4 screens
HEOS4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Garmin Audio at 69% against HEOS's 24%. Garmin Audio also leads on monetization model (free vs ad-supported). HEOS's advantage is rating (4.4 vs 4.0) and ratings volume (27K vs 453). On price, 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

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

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

HEOS holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: HEOS has 27K 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 24% of HEOS's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Garmin Audio ships an update every 3 months, HEOS every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on September 25, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Garmin Audio versus HEOS: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGarmin AudioHEOS
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (453 ratings)4.4 (27K ratings) — better
Positive reviews69.1% of reviews — better24.4% of reviews
Number of ratings45327K — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree — betterAd-supported
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.016.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size54 MB327 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGarminD&M Holdings

Customer experience

Garmin Audio

All ratings453 ratings
Positive72.6%
Neutral5.7%
Negative21.6%
Written reviews236 reviews
Positive69.1%
Neutral8.9%
Negative22.0%

HEOS

All ratings27,003 ratings
Positive84.7%
Neutral4.2%
Negative11.1%
Written reviews891 reviews
Positive24.4%
Neutral15.7%
Negative59.9%

User reviews

Garmin Audio

From 453 App Store ratings

What 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

HEOS

From 27K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Excellent sound quality
  • 🔒 Robust wireless connectivity
  • 👍 Convenient app control
  • 💡 Integrates with various music services

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Buggy and unstable app
  • 👎 Poor user interface and navigation
  • 🔌 Connectivity issues and frequent disconnects
  • 💤 Slow app performance and loading times

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

HEOS

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • App crashes and freezes frequently
  • Speakers randomly disappear from the network
  • Volume controls are inconsistent and unreliable
  • Sync issues between grouped speakers

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add support for Apple Music
  • Improve playlist management and queue functionality
  • Provide better customization options for rooms and speakers
  • Implement a more intuitive and user-friendly app design

In-app purchases

None

Garmin Audio

No in-app purchases

None

HEOS

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Garmin Audio free?
Garmin Audio is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is HEOS free?
HEOS is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Garmin Audio or HEOS?
HEOS is rated higher. Garmin Audio averages 4.0 out of 5 from 453 ratings, while HEOS averages 4.4 from 27K ratings.
Do Garmin Audio or HEOS have ads?
Neither Garmin Audio nor HEOS shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Garmin Audio or HEOS?
Garmin Audio ships an update every 3 months, and HEOS every 3 weeks. Most recently, Garmin Audio was updated on September 25, 2026 and HEOS on September 25, 2026.

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