Comparison

Garmin Audio vs Ultramarine

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

Ultramarine

Transform your mobile device into a wireless remote for your Polk Ultramarine stereo system. Control power, volume, radio tuning, Bluetooth streaming, satellite radio, and audio settings directly from your phone or tablet.

Highlights
  • Power on/off
  • Volume and mute control
  • AM/FM radio tuning
  • Bluetooth streaming
  • SiriusXM control
  • USB media playback
  • Audio menu adjustments
Features
Read full description

Polk Ultramarine is the ultimate wireless remote control for your Polk Ultramarine stereo system. Enjoy the convenience of all the primary functions of your Polk Ultramarine stereo right from your phone or tablet by transforming your mobile device into a functional stereo remote control! The Polk Ultramarine app works with the following Polk Ultramarine models: UM1A PA4A P1 This app controls all of the primary functions of your stereo features including: Power on/off Volume and mute AM/FM radio tuner: access station, recall, store presets, switch songs NOAA weather band and alert Bluetooth® streaming audio SiriusXM® Satellite Radio File structure visibility, track selection, track audible scan up and down via USB 1 & 2 iPod/iPhone/iPad® control capabilities via USB 1 Auxiliary audio input control: auxiliary analog 1 & 2 Speaker selection A, B and/or C Audio menu controls: subwoofer, bass, midrange, treble, balance, fader, equalizer, volume, and speaker selection settings Zone control presets Visual display feedback so you can see artist title and album on your mobile screen Polk Ultramarine transforms your mobile device into a functional stereo remote control making it a perfect pocket-size, portable controller to fit your marine lifestyle. *App capabilities vary with the stereo’s feature set.

Screenshots

Garmin Audio4 screens
Ultramarine4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Garmin Audio at 69% against Ultramarine's 9%. Garmin Audio also leads on rating (4.0 vs 1.6) and update cadence (every 3 months vs every 17 months). Ultramarine's advantage is iOS requirement (8.0 vs 18.0). 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

Garmin Audio holds the better App Store score, 4.0 against 1.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Garmin Audio has 461 ratings behind it against 40, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 69% of Garmin Audio's written reviews are positive against 9% of Ultramarine's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Garmin Audio ships an update every 3 months, Ultramarine every 17 months. The most recent releases landed on November 12, 2026 and November 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Garmin Audio versus Ultramarine: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGarmin AudioUltramarine
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (461 ratings) — better1.6 (40 ratings)
Positive reviews69.5% of reviews — better8.7% of reviews
Number of ratings461 — better40
Update frequencyEvery 3 months — betterEvery 17 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS18.08.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size55 MB10 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGarminASA Electronics, LLC

Customer experience

Garmin Audio

All ratings459 ratings
Positive73.0%
Neutral5.7%
Negative21.4%
Written reviews239 reviews
Positive69.5%
Neutral8.8%
Negative21.8%

Ultramarine

All ratings40 ratings
Positive12.5%
Neutral0.0%
Negative87.5%
Written reviews23 reviews
Positive8.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative91.3%

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

Ultramarine

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Garmin Audio

No in-app purchases

None

Ultramarine

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Garmin Audio free?
Garmin Audio is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Ultramarine free?
Ultramarine is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Garmin Audio or Ultramarine?
Garmin Audio is rated higher. Garmin Audio averages 4.0 out of 5 from 461 ratings, while Ultramarine averages 1.6 from 40 ratings.
Do Garmin Audio or Ultramarine have ads?
Neither Garmin Audio nor Ultramarine shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Garmin Audio or Ultramarine?
Garmin Audio ships an update every 3 months, and Ultramarine every 17 months. Most recently, Garmin Audio was updated on November 12, 2026 and Ultramarine on November 1, 2026.

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