Comparison

QLab Remote vs Caster's Tool

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read full description

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.

About

Caster's Tool

This app provides live event data for FIRST Robotics Competition and FIRST Tech Challenge. It offers a real-time dashboard with scores, standings, and team analytics, designed for announcers and fans.

Highlights
  • Dual-Mode FRC/FTC Data
  • Real-Time Dashboard
  • Deep Team Analytics
  • Season Highlights & Awards
  • Announcer-Optimized UI
  • iPad Native Layout
  • Live Activities & Dynamic Island
Features
Read full description

Turn your device into a professional-grade command center. Built specifically for live-event announcers, sports desk hosts, and hardcore fans, Caster's Tool is a broadcast companion for the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) and FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC). Say goodbye to juggling multiple browser tabs and slow-loading spreadsheets at the AV desk. Caster's Tool merges real-time event data into a single, high-speed dashboard designed for the high-stress environment of the arena. Whether you're tracking a powerhouse team's EPA, anticipating the next match queue, or calling the play-by-play, you have the exact data you need, the millisecond you need it. Key Features: Dual-Mode Operation: Switch seamlessly between full FRC and FTC data environments. Real-Time Dashboard: Live scores, regional pool standings, and match play-by-play updated instantly. Deep Team Analytics: Comprehensive team stats, including OPR, EPA, and historical performance metrics to inform your commentary. Season Highlights & Awards: Track event champions, Impact Award finalists, and rookie sensations at a glance. Announcer-Optimized UI: A distraction-free, high-contrast "Broadcast Dark" aesthetic designed for maximum legibility under bright arena lights. Built for the Apple Ecosystem: iPad Native Layout: Experience a desktop-class broadcast dashboard with an adaptive sidebar and massive, easy-to-read data grids. Live Activities & Dynamic Island: Keep an eye on the current match status directly from your lock screen while you prep your notes. Built for the community, by the community. Data Providers: Powered by The Blue Alliance. Event Data provided by FIRST. Additional data analytics provided by GATool, Statbotics and FTCScout. Disclaimer: Caster's Tool is an independent, community-built project by Gürsel Genç and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by FIRST®.

Screenshots

QLab Remote4 screens
Caster's Tool4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Caster's Tool at 100% against QLab Remote's 63%. Caster's Tool also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 2) and update cadence (every 2 days vs every 3 weeks). QLab Remote's advantage is ratings volume (26 vs 1) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 26.2). 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. QLab Remote sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Caster's Tool asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Caster's Tool 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. Written reviews point the same way: 63% of QLab Remote's written reviews are positive against 100% of Caster's Tool's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

QLab Remote ships an update every 3 weeks, Caster's Tool every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
QLab Remote versus Caster's Tool: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterQLab RemoteCaster's Tool
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (26 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews62.5% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings26 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 2 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better26.2
Further details — not scored
Size19 MB8 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperFigure 53Gursel GENC

Customer experience

QLab Remote

All ratings26 ratings
Positive92.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative7.7%
Written reviews40 reviews
Positive62.5%
Neutral7.5%
Negative30.0%

Caster's Tool

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

QLab Remote

One-time2
  • Light Tools$19.99
  • Show Control & Editing$39.99
None

Caster's Tool

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is QLab Remote free?
QLab Remote is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Caster's Tool free?
Caster's Tool is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, QLab Remote or Caster's Tool?
Caster's Tool is rated higher. QLab Remote averages 4.7 out of 5 from 26 ratings, while Caster's Tool averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do QLab Remote or Caster's Tool have ads?
Neither QLab Remote nor Caster's Tool shows ads.
Which is updated more often, QLab Remote or Caster's Tool?
QLab Remote ships an update every 3 weeks, and Caster's Tool every 2 days. Most recently, QLab Remote was updated on October 12, 2026 and Caster's Tool on October 10, 2026.

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