QLab Remote vs Q Surface
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
QLab Remote
Control and edit live show cues remotely from your iOS device. This companion app for macOS software allows you to flag cues, adjust audio levels, and modify video geometry from anywhere in the venue. It offers a free read-only mode and optional in-app purchases for full editing capabilities.
- Remote control of QLab workspaces
- Edit cue properties
- Adjust audio levels and video geometry
- Flag cues and edit notes
- Real-time cue updates
- Read-Only Mode for safe viewing
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QLab Remote is the official iOS companion app for remote control of QLab, the award-winning live show control software for macOS. QLab Remote requires a connection to QLab 3.0 or later. Some features require a specific minimum version of QLab 4 or 5. See https://qlab.app/docs/v5/networking/qlab-remote/#requirements for details. Get out of the booth and edit your QLab workspace from wherever you are. Flag cues as you sit in tech rehearsal. Adjust audio levels from the front row. Change the geometry of a video cue from the stage. QLab Remote is free to use in "Read-Only Mode", which allows you to view a workspace & follow along worry-free and also includes the unlimited ability to flag cues & edit cue notes. Optional In-App Purchases are available to unlock show control, editing, and light tools features. FEATURES - Automatically finds any QLab workspace on the network. - Updates in QLab are instantly reflected in QLab Remote and vice versa. - Open multiple windows on iPad to view workspaces side-by-side on one screen. - Quickly flag and edit notes for cues. - Easily switch between cue lists. - Watch active cues update in real-time. - Enable "Read-Only Mode" to follow along without worrying you'll accidentally trigger a cue. - Edit basic properties for all cues, such as name, number, notes, color, armed, flagged, etc. - Adjust audio levels and patches for audio, mic, and video cues. - Change display geometry for video, text, and camera cues. - Double-tap a cue to quickly edit it. Please contact support@figure53.com with issues or feedback.
Q Surface
This utility app enables remote adjustment of video surface control points for QLab 4, allowing users to fine-tune projections while physically near them. It requires QLab version 4.0.0 or higher on a connected Mac.
- Remote video surface control
- Adjust control points
- Real-time projection tuning
- QLab 4 compatibility
- Network connectivity
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Q Surface allows you to adjust the control points of your video surfaces in QLab 4, while standing right next to the projection. Please feel free to contact me directly at contact@oscarbouwmans.nl. All feedback is very much appreciated. IMPORTANT NOTE #1: this app will NOT work for QLab version 3 or lower. IMPORTANT NTOE #2: this app will NOT work with the FREE version of QLab. In order for Q Surface to work properly, a Mac must be running QLab version 4.0.0 or higher (either licensed for video, or in 'demo' mode activated via the QLab -> Activate Demo Mode menu), and be connected to the same network as the iOS device running Q Surface (e.g. same WiFi network). (QLAB, QCART, TIXATO, GO BUTTON, ULTRASONIC and FIGURE 53 are registered trademarks of Figure 53, LLC. Seller of this application is not affiliated with Figure 53, LLC.)
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Q Surface at none against QLab Remote's 2. Q Surface also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.7) and iOS requirement (8.0 vs 15.0). QLab Remote's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 5 months) and ratings volume (26 vs 1). On price, 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
Both are free to download. QLab Remote sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Q Surface asks for nothing beyond the download.
Q Surface holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: QLab Remote has 26 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.
QLab Remote ships an update every 3 weeks, Q Surface every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | QLab Remote | Q Surface |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (26 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 62.5% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 26 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks — better | Every 5 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 8.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 19 MB | 18 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Figure 53 | Oscar Bouwmans |
Customer experience
QLab Remote
Q Surface
In-app purchases
QLab Remote
- Light Tools$19.99
- Show Control & Editing$39.99
Q Surface
No in-app purchases
