Comparison

THX tune vs Helmarr

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

Head to head
About

THX tune

Optimize your home theater setup with custom video and audio tests. This app guides you through adjusting picture settings like brightness and color, and verifies speaker connections for immersive sound.

Highlights
  • Video test patterns
  • Picture settings adjustment
  • Audio tests
  • Speaker phase check
  • Interactive tutorials
  • Color and tint calibration
Features
Read full description

THX tune-up (TM) allows you to properly adjust your TV, projector and speakers, helping you get the most out of your entertainment system. NOTE: Before you download and get started, please read the "Additional Requirements" & "Connection to TV/AVR" sections below to ensure enjoyment and proper use. For a video preview of the THX tune-up app, check out the THX YouTube http://bit.ly/X9h5rbchannel at YouTube.com/THXVids.   Additional Requirements • Supported iOS devices: iPhone 4, 4S, 5; iPad, 2, 3, 4 & Mini; iPod Touch 4 & 5; iOS 7.1 or later • If using Apple TV, must be 3rd gen version or later • iPhone 4 & iPod Touch 4 are not supported by Apple TV; must use AV adapter & HDMI cable connection to TV or AVR for picture adjustment (720p only) • For 5.1 audio tests, iOS device must be directly connected to AVR with adapter & HDMI cable (5.1 audio tests are not supported on Apple TV) • App is optimized for iOS 7.1 or later for 4S & 5, iPad 2, 3, 4 & Mini, & iPod Touch 5 with an HDMI adapter & cable directly connected to TV or AVR  Connection to TV/AVR • HDMI cable at least 2 meters (6 ft) & Cat 2-certified • 30-pin Apple Digital AV Adapter for iPad 2 & 3, iPhone 4 & 4S, & iPod Touch 4 • Lightning Digital AV Adapter for iPhone 5, iPad 4 & Mini, & iPod Touch 5 • Apple TV (3 gen) for picture adjustments is compatible with iPhone 4S & 5, iPad 2, 3, 4 & Mini, & iPod Touch 5 • Connect iOS device via Airplay to your Apple TV (3rd gen) & turn Mirroring ON THX tune-up features custom video test patterns, carefully selected photos and tutorials to help adjust and confirm the best picture settings on your display based on room lighting. Using special audio tests, THX tune-up also lets you check external speakers to make sure they are working in phase and are connected properly for 2-channel stereo or 5.1 sound systems.    THX tune-up is completely interactive — go through it at your own pace, in any order. Connect a supported iOS device to the display or sound system with an HDMI adapter & cable, or via AirPlay with Apple TV (3rd gen).   Locate the adjustment buttons on your TV and AVR remote controls and then follow the THX app tutorials which walk you through your “THX tune-up.” The app offers tips about your remote control, room lighting, viewing distance and other helpful advice.    Video adjustments • Aspect ratio – ensure your TV displays shapes & sizes correctly • Brightness – make certain shadow details & night scenes are clearly visible • Contrast – confirm white detail is distinct on your television • Color – make sure colors are bright & vibrant but not cartoonish • Tint – check skin tones look natural & are not too green or red   THX tune-up uses your iOS device’s camera to set color and tint with a special built in color filter. Point the device camera at the TV screen and see if the color or tint is adjusted correctly.   Audio adjustments • Speaker assignment – ensure speakers are connected to the correct AVR output & intended sound is coming from the correct speaker • Speaker phase – confirm that positive & negative speaker wires are connected correctly and all speakers are in phase   Extras • Turn “moo can” on & tilt your device to hear it “moo” • Play extraordinary THX trailers (just like in THX Certified cinemas) to show off your newly tuned TV & sound system to friends and family • Show off your audio system by playing “THX Deep Note” in 5.1 surround sound, just like in the theater • Have a question for THX or just want to provide feedback? Ask Tex! This app is not a professional calibration tool and is not intended to replace an in-home professional calibration.

About

Helmarr

Manage all your self-hosted services from a single, native iOS interface. Seamlessly integrate and control applications like Sonarr, Radarr, and Unraid with advanced features and customization.

Highlights
  • Unified experience for multiple services
  • Smart multi-network connectivity
  • Deep customization options
  • Home screen widgets
  • Unraid control
  • Push notifications
  • SSH & SFTP access
  • Download management
Features
Read full description

Helmarr provides a unified, native iOS interface for your self-hosted services. Stop relying on responsive web UIs and manage your entire stack in an app where your services actually work hand-in-hand. Currently supported: Sonarr, Radarr, Lidarr, Bazarr, Unraid, SSH (+SFTP), Tautulli, Jellystat, Overseerr, Jellyseerr, Seerr, qBt, SABnzbd, NZBGet, Wizarr, Prowlarr, Transmission, Deluge. Key Features: - A Truly Unified Experience: Your stack shouldn't feel like separate silos. Helmarr brings Sonarr, Radarr, Lidarr, Seerr, and Tautulli together. Browse your library, approve requests, and view active streams in one seamless interface. - Smart Connectivity: Full multi-network support allows you to define primary and fallback hosts. Helmarr automatically switches between your LAN IP and WAN/DNS address depending on where you are. - Make It Your Own: Deep customization options let you tweak the app to your liking. Change accent colors, rearrange your tab bar, and set custom headers to match your personal aesthetic. - Home Screen Widgets: Keep an eye on your download queue, upcoming releases, or server stats at a glance without even opening the app. - Unraid Control: Real-time monitoring of Shares, Parity status, Disks, and Warnings. Start/Stop Docker containers and VMs instantly. - Push Notifications: Stay in the loop with configurable alerts for grabs, successful imports, and critical health checks. - Terminal & Vitals: Full SSH & SFTP access with live resource monitoring (CPU/RAM/Net). Manage processes and containers via command line. - Download Management: Remote control for SABnzbd and NZBGet. Pause, resume, reorder queues, and set speed limits on the fly. - Release Browser: Don't just rely on automation—search, filter, and manually grab specific releases with ease. - Onboarding: Generate and manage user invites via Wizarr. Website: https://helmarr.com/ Terms of Service: https://helmarr.com/terms Privacy Policy: https://helmarr.com/privacy

Screenshots

THX tune4 screens
Helmarr4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Helmarr at 4.8 against THX tune's 3.7. Helmarr also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 3 months) and review sentiment (76% vs 55%). THX tune's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 19) and iOS requirement (8.0 vs 26.0). On price, ratings volume, ads 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. Helmarr sells 19 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. THX tune asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Helmarr holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 147 and 193 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 55% of THX tune's written reviews are positive against 76% of Helmarr's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

THX tune ships an update every 3 months, Helmarr weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
THX tune versus Helmarr: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTHX tuneHelmarr
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.7 (147 ratings)4.8 (193 ratings) — better
Positive reviews55.0% of reviews75.9% of reviews — better
Number of ratings147193 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS8.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size138 MB170 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTHX Ltd.Florian Ernst

Customer experience

THX tune

All ratings142 ratings
Positive64.8%
Neutral9.2%
Negative26.1%
Written reviews262 reviews
Positive55.0%
Neutral11.8%
Negative33.2%

Helmarr

All ratings172 ratings
Positive95.9%
Neutral1.2%
Negative2.9%
Written reviews145 reviews
Positive75.9%
Neutral7.6%
Negative16.6%

Bugs and requests

THX tune

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Crashes on launch
  • Test patterns not displaying on TV
  • Audio issues with Chromecast
  • Incompatible with OLED TVs
  • Inaccurate color and tint adjustments

Requested features

5 requests
  • Support for 4K and HDR content
  • Expanded audio calibration options
  • Dedicated app for Apple TV
  • More comprehensive calibration tools
  • Regular updates to support new devices

Helmarr

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

THX tune

No in-app purchases

19 purchases

Helmarr

Subscriptions3
  • Helmarr Pro Monthly$3.991 Month
  • Ultra Monthly$4.991 Month
  • Helmarr Pro Yearly Subscription$17.991 Year
One-time16
  • Bazarr$3.99
  • Deluge$4.99
  • Plex$4.99
Show 13 more
  • Transmission$4.99
  • NZBGet$4.99
  • Lidarr$4.99
  • Unraid$4.99
  • SABnzbd$4.99
  • Tautulli$4.99
  • Sonarr$4.99
  • Radarr$4.99
  • Seerr$4.99
  • qBt$4.99
  • Prowlarr$4.99
  • Helmarr Pro - Lifetime$29.99
  • Lifetime Pro$34.99

Questions

Is THX tune free?
THX tune is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Helmarr free?
Helmarr is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, THX tune or Helmarr?
Helmarr is rated higher. THX tune averages 3.7 out of 5 from 147 ratings, while Helmarr averages 4.8 from 193 ratings.
Do THX tune or Helmarr have ads?
Neither THX tune nor Helmarr shows ads.
Which is updated more often, THX tune or Helmarr?
THX tune ships an update every 3 months, and Helmarr weekly. Most recently, THX tune was updated on October 23, 2026 and Helmarr on October 24, 2026.

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