Comparison

WLED vs AVR Controller

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

Head to head
About

WLED

Control and manage all your WLED light devices from your iPhone or iPad. This companion app works with the open-source WLED software for microcontrollers, offering automatic device detection, customizable names, and software update assistance.

Highlights
  • Automatic device detection
  • Centralized light list
  • Software update assistant
  • Customizable device names
  • Hide or delete devices
  • Light and dark mode
Features
Read full description

With the WLED app, you can easily and efficiently manage and control all your WLED light devices from your iPhone or iPad. This is a companion app for the free and open source WLED software for ESP8266/32 microcontrollers. WLED automatically detects and updates the device list, and offers customizable names, a hide or delete feature, and a light and dark mode. It can also help you install new software updates to your devices. Plus, it supports both phones and tablets. Main Features: - Automatic device detection (mDNS) - All lights are accessible from one list - Software Update Assistant - Custom names - Hide or delete devices - Light and dark mode

About

AVR Controller

Easily manage your compatible Denon or Marantz AVR's power, volume, and sound modes. This third-party app offers quick access to essential controls, preventing accidental changes to your preferred settings.

Highlights
  • Power control
  • Volume adjustment
  • Quick select sound modes
  • Accidental touch prevention
  • Syncs with AVR status
  • Network capability support
Read full description

Download AVR Controller and experience AVR control that looks as good as your AVR sounds. AVR Controller isn't a typical remote app. It takes inspiration from the front of your receiver, with thoughtfully spaced controls and a physical-style volume knob that gives it a high-end, cinematic feel — like it belongs alongside your home theater equipment. Whether you're settling in for movie night or enjoying your favorite music, AVR Controller feels more like a dedicated control panel than a basic utility. Compatible with network-capable Denon and Marantz AVRs from 2014 and later. AVR Controller is a third-party application and is not endorsed by or associated with Denon or Marantz. FEATURES • Fast startup, discovery, and responsive control • Power, volume and mute control • Quick Select control for fast access to your favorite input and sound mode combinations • Displays the current sound mode • Multi-zone control for supported AVRs • Multi-receiver support • Automatically stays in sync when AVR settings are changed outside the app • Automatically finds your AVR — even if its IP address changes • Movie Mode dims the screen to reduce distractions and save battery; tap or pick up your iPhone to bring it back instantly • Demo Mode lets you explore AVR Controller without connecting to a receiver ABOUT QUICK SELECT Quick Select is a built-in feature of Denon and Marantz AVRs. It lets you save and quickly recall combinations of settings such as input, volume and sound mode. AVR Controller gives you fast access to the Quick Selects already configured on your receiver. TIPS • For reliable network control, set your AVR's Network Control setting to “Always On.” This may increase standby power consumption. • Your AVR must be connected to your local network using Ethernet or Wi-Fi. • A static IP address is not required, but is best for fastest startup. AVR Controller can automatically find your receiver again if its IP address changes.

Screenshots

WLED4 screens
AVR Controller4 screens

Verdict

The call

WLED and AVR Controller both sit at 4.0 stars, but that hides the real split: 100% of AVR Controller's written reviews are positive against 51% of WLED's. AVR Controller also leads on update cadence (monthly vs every 2 months). WLED's advantage is iOS requirement (16.0 vs 18.6). On price, rating, ratings volume and ads 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

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.0 for WLED against 3.9 for AVR Controller. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 10 and 20 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 51% of WLED's written reviews are positive against 100% of AVR Controller's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

WLED ships an update every 2 months, AVR Controller monthly. The most recent releases landed on August 12, 2026 and September 11, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
WLED versus AVR Controller: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterWLEDAVR Controller
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (10 ratings) — better3.9 (20 ratings)
Positive reviews50.5% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1020 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS16.0 — better18.6
Further details — not scored
Size3 MB4 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperChristophe GagnierPeter Schwenk

Customer experience

WLED

All ratings10 ratings
Positive80.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative20.0%
Written reviews95 reviews
Positive50.5%
Neutral7.4%
Negative42.1%

AVR Controller

All ratings20 ratings
Positive70.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative30.0%
Written reviews9 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

WLED

Reported bugs

42 issues
  • Unable to connect to LEDs
  • Lights randomly turn on
  • Connectivity issues, needs re-pairing
  • App doesn't work, glitchy
  • Brightness control issues
Show 37 more
  • Lights flicker after update
  • Cannot find discover lights option
  • Not connected to iPhone, setup issues
  • App won't load, vanishes
  • None of my devices show up
  • Shows up blank, manual add only
  • No longer finds WLED devices
  • App doesn't work, no devices showing
  • Confusing app, turns off
  • App is unusable after update, errors
  • App stopped picking up signal
  • Only connects when at home
  • Doesn't pick up esp8266
  • Sound react option missing
  • Time and macros section not working
  • Update won't update
  • Goes offline from time to time
  • Update breaks app, beta works
  • Drops connection, cannot adjust lights
  • Latest release freezes, unstable wifi
  • Loading WLED UI stuck
  • Inconsistent connection after new update
  • Lost all config after update
  • Lost all presets after update
  • Devices missing and disappearing
  • Update ruined everything, random disconnects
  • App constantly crashes, won't load
  • Stopped working after update
  • New upgrade feature killed device
  • Inconsistent, can't find boards
  • Cannot connect lights, IP address doesn't work
  • Missing schedule function
  • App doesn't work at all
  • Doesn't work properly with WLED 0.14
  • App won't allow changing anything, freezes
  • Hidden devices reappear
  • App goes offline and never connects again

Requested features

6 requests
  • User-friendly interface
  • Simple interface with advanced option
  • Widget features for Home Screen
  • Sound react option
  • Remote control when away from WiFi
Show 1 more
  • Timer or schedule function

AVR Controller

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

WLED

No in-app purchases

None

AVR Controller

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is WLED free?
WLED is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is AVR Controller free?
AVR Controller is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, WLED or AVR Controller?
WLED is rated higher. WLED averages 4.0 out of 5 from 10 ratings, while AVR Controller averages 3.9 from 20 ratings.
Do WLED or AVR Controller have ads?
Neither WLED nor AVR Controller shows ads.
Which is updated more often, WLED or AVR Controller?
WLED ships an update every 2 months, and AVR Controller monthly. Most recently, WLED was updated on August 12, 2026 and AVR Controller on September 11, 2026.

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