Comparison

QLab Remote vs Presence Remote

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

Presence Remote

Features
Read full description

Presence Remote is the companion app for Presence on your Mac. Presence uses the Bluetooth signal from your iPhone or Apple Watch to tell whether you're at your desk: it locks your Mac when you walk away and unlocks it when you come back. Free features • Lock your Mac right away from your iPhone, Apple Watch, Control Center, Lock Screen, or the Action button • Pause or resume automatic locking (unlock your iPhone first to pause or resume) • See your Mac's status at a glance: whether you're nearby and whether it's locked • Get notified when your Mac locks because you left, or when someone unlocks it while you're away • Encrypted confirmation before unlocking: your Mac asks your iPhone to answer with the key created when you paired, so a spoofed Bluetooth signal alone can't unlock it • Home Screen and Lock Screen widgets, Apple Watch complications, and Siri and Shortcuts actions Presence Pro: Presenter Remote Turn your iPhone and Apple Watch into a presentation clicker. No extra remote to buy, no receiver to plug in. • Tap or swipe to change slides; jump to a slide, blank the screen, start and end the show • Laser pointer, spotlight, and highlighter: wherever your finger moves on your iPhone, it appears on the projected screen • Adjust your Mac’s volume when a video in your slides is too loud or too quiet • Change slides from the Lock Screen and the Dynamic Island, even when your phone is locked • On Apple Watch, tap, turn the Digital Crown, or double tap • Talk timer with a tap on your wrist at 5 minutes left and when time is up • Walk on stage without your Mac locking the projected screen • Works with popular presentation apps, slides in the browser, and PDFs Presence Pro is available as a monthly or yearly subscription (both with a 7-day free trial) or a one-time purchase, and all three can be shared with your family. Subscriptions renew automatically; cancel anytime in your App Store account settings. What you need • The free Presence app on your Mac (macOS 26 or later), available at github.com/chung223/Presence • In Presence on your Mac, click Pair New iPhone and scan the QR code with this app • For Presenter Remote, turn on Allow Presenter Remote in Presence on your Mac Privacy Presence Remote collects no data and needs no account or internet connection. Your iPhone and Mac talk directly over Bluetooth, and every command is encrypted and authenticated. Purchases are handled by the App Store. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://github.com/chung223/Presence/blob/main/docs/privacy.md Presence is open source and inspired by BLEUnlock.

Screenshots

QLab Remote4 screens
Presence Remote4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Presence Remote at every 2 days against QLab Remote's every 3 weeks. QLab Remote's advantage is iOS requirement (15.0 vs 26.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases 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 and Presence Remote sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

QLab Remote ships an update every 3 weeks, Presence Remote every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 29, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
QLab Remote versus Presence Remote: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterQLab RemotePresence Remote
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (26 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews62.5% of reviews—
Number of ratings26 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 2 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, Apple Watch
Requires iOS15.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size19 MB7 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperFigure 53WEICHUNG LAI

In-app purchases

2 purchases

QLab Remote

One-time2
  • Light Tools$19.99
  • Show Control & Editing$39.99
3 purchases

Presence Remote

Subscriptions2
  • Presence Pro Monthly7 Days trial$0.991 Month
  • Presence Pro Yearly7 Days trial$4.991 Year
One-time1
  • Presence Pro Lifetime$12.99

Questions

Is QLab Remote free?
QLab Remote is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Presence Remote free?
Presence Remote is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do QLab Remote or Presence Remote have ads?
Neither QLab Remote nor Presence Remote shows ads.
Which is updated more often, QLab Remote or Presence Remote?
QLab Remote ships an update every 3 weeks, and Presence Remote every 2 days. Most recently, QLab Remote was updated on October 24, 2026 and Presence Remote on October 29, 2026.

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