Comparison

WLED+ vs Crowd Compass Companion App

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

Head to head
About

WLED+

Manage and control WLED devices with an enhanced interface and features. Organize devices, preview effects, and automate preset saving. Optimized for various screen sizes and compatible with WLED v0.13.3+.

Highlights
  • Improved user interface
  • Effect previews
  • Device grouping
  • Layout support for segment configurations
  • Automatic segment gap finding
  • Playlist saving for presets
  • Random preset cycling
Read full description

WLED+ is an independent, modern app for controlling WLED LED strips, matrices, and light installations from your iPhone, iPad, and Mac. It talks directly to your devices over your local network. Device control stays local, with no account, no cloud control, and no ad tracking. WHY WLED+ WLED+ is built as a native companion app for WLED, with a polished interface for newcomers and deeper controls for makers. FEATURES - Visual layout editor: see your segments on a canvas, tap to select them, and drag to reshape your strip or matrix. - Live preview: watch your device's real LED colors stream onto the canvas as you edit. - Animated effect previews: see what an effect looks like before you apply it. - Smart segments: automatically fill gaps in your layout or split the largest segment when you add a new one. - Device groups: organize and control multiple devices together. - Presets and playlists: save favorite looks and auto-add new presets to a playlist. - Randomizer: automatically cycle through your presets. - Full control: brightness, colors, palettes, effects, nightlight, and per-segment settings. - Sound-reactive effect support for WLED SR. PRIVACY FIRST No login. Device control stays on your local network. Crash reports are used only to improve reliability and are never sold. Works with WLED and WLED SR firmware v0.13.3 and above, and is optimized for screens of all sizes. Made by an independent husband-and-wife team from Venice, CA. WLED+ is an independent companion app for WLED and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the WLED project; all credit for the firmware goes to the WLED community.

About

Crowd Compass Companion App

Stay connected with your group even without cell service or Wi-Fi. This app provides real-time GPS friend tracking, off-grid messaging, and downloadable offline maps. It's ideal for festivals, backcountry adventures, and any situation where network connectivity is limited.

Highlights
  • Real-time GPS friend tracking
  • Off-grid mesh messaging
  • Downloadable offline maps
  • Waypoint dropping
  • LTE performance boost
  • Effortless group pairing
  • Background operation
Features
Read full description

Stay connected with your crew — even off the grid. Crowd Compass pairs with your Crowd Compass device to give you real-time GPS friend tracking, mesh messaging, and offline maps, all without Wi-Fi or cell service. Built for festivals, backcountry trips, and anywhere the network ends. KEY FEATURES: Real-Time GPS Friend Tracking Each Crowd Compass has a built-in GPS. See every friend's live location on an interactive map — positions are relayed over the mesh radio with no cell towers required. Your phone's GPS automatically supplements the compass for even better accuracy. Off-Grid Messaging Send and receive text messages through the mesh radio network — no Wi-Fi or cellular needed. Get push notifications so you never miss a message. Offline Festival & Area Maps Download maps for any area so you never lose your bearings. Browse festival maps with stages, vendors, restrooms, and points of interest — all available offline. Drop Waypoints Long-press the map to drop a named pin. Waypoints sync to your Crowd Compass so your friends can see them too. LTE Performance Boost When you have cell or Wi-Fi, bridge the mesh to the cloud to extend your group's range beyond radio distance. Personalize Your Compass Set your color and display name. Load pre-written quick messages onto your Crowd Compass so you can send them without your phone. Radio Profiles Choose a radio profile to balance range vs. speed for your environment. Effortless Group Pairing Share and join groups instantly with QR codes — no need for everyone to be in the same place. Runs in the Background Keeps your Bluetooth connection alive and locations flowing even when the app isn't on screen. Automatic Firmware Updates Update your Crowd Compass firmware over Bluetooth to unlock new features and keep it performing at its best.

Screenshots

WLED+4 screens
Crowd Compass Companion App4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Crowd Compass Companion App at 5.0 against WLED+'s 4.6. On price, ratings volume, update cadence 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

Crowd Compass Companion App holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 13 and 5 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

WLED+ ships an update fortnightly, Crowd Compass Companion App every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 19, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
WLED+ versus Crowd Compass Companion App: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterWLED+Crowd Compass Companion App
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (13 ratings)5.0 (5 ratings) — better
Positive reviews88.2% of reviews—
Number of ratings13 — better5
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS14.0 — better15.1
Further details — not scored
Size53 MB84 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPixel Heart LLCCrowd Compass Incorporated

Customer experience

WLED+

All ratings10 ratings
Positive90.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative10.0%
Written reviews17 reviews
Positive88.2%
Neutral0.0%
Negative11.8%

Crowd Compass Companion App

All ratings3 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

WLED+

No in-app purchases

None

Crowd Compass Companion App

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is WLED+ free?
WLED+ is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Crowd Compass Companion App free?
Crowd Compass Companion App is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, WLED+ or Crowd Compass Companion App?
Crowd Compass Companion App is rated higher. WLED+ averages 4.6 out of 5 from 13 ratings, while Crowd Compass Companion App averages 5.0 from 5 ratings.
Do WLED+ or Crowd Compass Companion App have ads?
Neither WLED+ nor Crowd Compass Companion App shows ads.
Which is updated more often, WLED+ or Crowd Compass Companion App?
WLED+ ships an update fortnightly, and Crowd Compass Companion App every 3 weeks. Most recently, WLED+ was updated on October 24, 2026 and Crowd Compass Companion App on October 19, 2026.

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