Comparison

Garmin Audio vs Denon AVR Remote

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

Denon AVR Remote

Control your compatible network-ready Denon AV Receiver from your iOS device. Manage basic functions, access network browsing, and adjust settings with an overhauled interface. Integrates with HEOS for seamless control.

Highlights
  • Basic function control (power, volume, input)
  • Network browsing and HEOS app integration
  • ECO Mode settings
  • Option settings (Sleep Tone, Channel Level)
  • View user manuals
  • Multi-language support
Read full description

This app for iPhone and iPad will give you an unprecedented level of command and control over your 2014 or later model year network ready Denon AV Receivers (due to hardware differences, older models are not supported with this app. Please check the model compatibility list below). Along with many new features, the graphics and user interface have been completely overhauled. Control the basic functions of your Denon product with power, volume, input and settings. Network browsing is either done within the Denon AVR Remote app or depending on model by selecting HEOS network as input which opens the HEOS app automatically. With the Denon AVR Remote, your iOS device just became an integral part of your home entertainment experience. Compatible Denon Models (*1, *2) 2026 New Models Network AV Receiver: AVR-S980H, AVR-X2900H, AVR-X3900H 2024 Models Network AV Receiver: AVR-A10H, AVR-X6800H 2023 Models Network AV Receiver: AVR-X1800H, AVR-S770H, AVR-S670H, DRA-900H 2022 Models Network AV Receiver: AVR-A1H, AVR-X4800H, AVR-X3800H, AVR-X2800H, AVR-S970H 2021 Models Network AV Receiver: AVR-X8500HA, AVR-X1700H, AVR-S760H, AVR-S660H 2020 Models Network AV Receiver: AVR-A110, AVR-X6700H, AVR-X4700H, AVR-X3700H, AVR-X2700H, AVR-S960H 2019 Models Network AV Receiver: AVR-X3600H, AVR-X2600H, AVR-X1600H, AVR-S950H, AVR-S750H, AVR-S650H, DRA-800H 2018 Models Network AV Receiver: AVR-X6500H, AVR-X4500H, AVR-X3500H, AVR-X2500H, AVR-X1500H, AVR-S940H, AVR-S740H, AVR-S640H 2017 Models Network AV Receiver: AVR-X8500H, AVR-X6400H, AVR-X4400H, AVR-X3400H, AVR-X2400H, AVR-X1400H, AVR-S930H, AVR-S730H 2016 Models Network AV Receiver: AVR-X6300H, AVR-X4300H, AVR-X3300W, AVR-X2300W, AVR-X1300W, AVR-S920W, AVR-S720W 2015 Models: Network AV Receiver: AVR-X6200W, AVR-X4200W, AVR-X3200W, AVR-X2200W, AVR-X1200W, AVR-S910W, AVR-S710W 2014 Models: Network AV Receiver: AVR-X7200W, AVR-X7200WA *Not compatible with Denon models other than the above models. Main feature: •On the fly HEOS app switching for network browsing and control for HEOS built-in AVRs •ECO Mode setting •Option settings (Sleep Tone, Channel Level etc.) and Selected Setup Features •Viewing User manuals •Multi-Language Support (English, French, German, Spanish, Dutch, Italian, Swedish, Japanese, Simplified Chinese, Russian and Polish.) (*3) Notes: *1: A firmware update for your Denon product is may be needed, please update the firmware via the system setup menu. (General > Firmware) If the App doesn't work well, please try to reboot your mobile device, unplug the power cord of the main unit and reinsert into the power outlet or check your home network. *2: Please set "Network Control" to "ON" in your product via the system setup menu to use this app. (Network > Network Control) *3: The OS language setting is automatically detected; when not available, English is selected.

Screenshots

Garmin Audio4 screens
Denon AVR Remote4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Garmin Audio at 69% against Denon AVR Remote's 21%. Garmin Audio also leads on rating (4.0 vs 2.0). Denon AVR Remote's advantage is ratings volume (1.5K vs 460) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.0). 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

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 2.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 460 and 1.5K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 69% of Garmin Audio's written reviews are positive against 21% of Denon AVR Remote's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Garmin Audio ships an update every 3 months, Denon AVR Remote every 2 months. Both last shipped on November 4, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Garmin Audio versus Denon AVR Remote: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGarmin AudioDenon AVR Remote
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (460 ratings) — better2.0 (1.5K ratings)
Positive reviews69.5% of reviews — better21.4% of reviews
Number of ratings4601.5K — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS18.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size55 MB72 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGarminD&M Holdings

Customer experience

Garmin Audio

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

Denon AVR Remote

All ratings1,446 ratings
Positive21.6%
Neutral6.8%
Negative71.6%
Written reviews954 reviews
Positive21.4%
Neutral10.3%
Negative68.3%

User reviews

Garmin Audio

From 460 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

Denon AVR Remote

From 1.5K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Works as intended
  • 🚀 Flawless connectivity
  • 💡 Convenient remote control
  • 👍 Intuitive interface

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Crashes and freezes
  • 🐛 Unreliable connection
  • 🐛 Buggy after updates
  • 🔧 Outdated and clunky UI

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

Denon AVR Remote

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • App unable to detect receiver on network
  • Volume controls not syncing with receiver
  • Certain settings not persisting across inputs
  • Frequent app crashes and hangs

Requested features

4 requests
  • Ability to manually enter receiver IP address
  • More customization options
  • Better integration with smart home platforms
  • Improved multi-zone control

In-app purchases

None

Garmin Audio

No in-app purchases

None

Denon AVR Remote

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Garmin Audio free?
Garmin Audio is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Denon AVR Remote free?
Denon AVR Remote is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Garmin Audio or Denon AVR Remote?
Garmin Audio is rated higher. Garmin Audio averages 4.0 out of 5 from 460 ratings, while Denon AVR Remote averages 2.0 from 1.5K ratings.
Do Garmin Audio or Denon AVR Remote have ads?
Neither Garmin Audio nor Denon AVR Remote shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Garmin Audio or Denon AVR Remote?
Garmin Audio ships an update every 3 months, and Denon AVR Remote every 2 months. Most recently, Garmin Audio was updated on November 4, 2026 and Denon AVR Remote on November 4, 2026.

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