Comparison

WLED+ vs WLED Max

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

WLED Max

Effortlessly control your WLED lights with a user-friendly interface. Manage multiple devices, customize effects, and update firmware directly from your iPhone or iPad. Offers advanced features like segment editing and device grouping.

Highlights
  • Effortless device setup and discovery
  • Full color and brightness control
  • 180+ effects with live animated previews
  • Visual segment editor for zone control
  • In-app WLED configuration
  • Device grouping and iCloud sync
  • OTA firmware updates
Features
Read full description

WLED Max controls WLED lights from your iPhone and iPad: LED strips, holiday lights on the roofline and 2D pixel matrices. It needs a WLED controller (an ESP32 or ESP8266 running WLED) and does not work with Bluetooth or IR remote light strips. New in 1.1.4: Pattern Maker. Build bulb patterns like 2 red, 1 white or start from Classic Christmas, Candy Cane or Diwali Diyas, add motion and watch it on your lights as you go. Every feature is free for one light. A one-time purchase adds unlimited lights. No account, no ads, no subscription. EASY SETUP Open the app and your WLED devices appear automatically. Just tap to add them. Got a brand new device still in setup mode? A step-by-step wizard walks you through connecting it to your Wi-Fi. No computer required. You can also add devices by IP address if they're on a different network. FULL CONTROL AT YOUR FINGERTIPS Adjust brightness with a slider or tap 25/50/75/100% quick-set buttons. Pick colors from a full color wheel, choose from quick-access swatches, or dial in a warm-to-cool white temperature. Set up to 6 favorite effects for one-tap access. Everything responds instantly. 180+ EFFECTS WITH LIVE PREVIEWS Every WLED effect renders a live animated preview right in the grid. See exactly what each one looks like before you apply. Search, filter by category (solid, rainbow, fire, 2D, audio-reactive), and tune speed, intensity, custom parameters, and palette in real time. Pair any effect with any color palette. SEGMENTS STUDIO A visual zone editor with drag-to-resize and full 2D matrix support. Split a single LED strip into independent zones and give each one its own effect, colors, brightness, speed, and direction. Light your desk, shelf, and ceiling from one controller with completely different looks. The visual editor shows you exactly what you're building. FULL WLED CONFIG IN-APP Every native WLED setting is available right in the app: Wi-Fi, LED layout, sync interfaces, schedules, macros, user mods, security, and updates. No more opening device IPs in your browser. DEVICE GROUPS Organize lights into groups like Living Room, Bedroom, or Gaming Setup with custom icons. Turn an entire group on or off with one tap. Devices can belong to multiple groups. PRESETS & CLOUD SYNC Save any lighting setup as a preset and reapply it instantly. Build playlists that cycle through your favorites, edit them any time and turn on Shuffle if you like. With iCloud sync, your lights, groups and presets follow you across your iPhone and iPad. OTA FIRMWARE UPDATES Update your WLED firmware right from the app. WLED Max picks the right file for your board and handles the install. Release notes included so you know what's new. WIDGETS & SIRI Add a power toggle to your Lock Screen and Home Screen widgets with power, brightness, colors, effects and presets. Use Siri to turn lights on, set colors, apply presets, trigger effects, or control groups, all hands-free. HELP WHEN YOU NEED IT Questions or ideas? Tap Contact Us in Settings. Replies arrive as a notification right in the app. DESIGNED FOR YOUR SETUP Dark interface that looks great next to your LEDs. Clean card-based layout. Five tabs: Devices, Control, Effects, Presets, and Settings. Everything is exactly where you expect it. ABOUT WLED WLED is free, open-source firmware built by a community of volunteers. WLED Max is an independent app and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the official WLED project. Download WLED Max and see what your lights can really do.

Screenshots

WLED+4 screens
WLED Max4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: WLED+ at none against WLED Max's 1. WLED+ also leads on device support (4 vs 2) and iOS requirement (14.0 vs 17.0). WLED Max's advantage is update cadence (every 5 days vs fortnightly) and rating (4.8 vs 4.6). On price, 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. WLED Max sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. WLED+ asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

WLED Max holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 12 and 6 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

WLED+ ships an update fortnightly, WLED Max every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and October 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
WLED+ versus WLED Max: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterWLED+WLED Max
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (12 ratings)4.8 (6 ratings) — better
Positive reviews88.2% of reviews—
Number of ratings12 — better6
Update frequencyFortnightlyEvery 5 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS14.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size53 MB40 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPixel Heart LLCMeowScript LLC

Customer experience

WLED+

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

WLED Max

All ratings6 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

WLED+

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

WLED Max

One-time1
  • Premium — Unlimited Devices$9.99

Questions

Is WLED+ free?
WLED+ is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is WLED Max free?
WLED Max is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, WLED+ or WLED Max?
WLED Max is rated higher. WLED+ averages 4.6 out of 5 from 12 ratings, while WLED Max averages 4.8 from 6 ratings.
Do WLED+ or WLED Max have ads?
Neither WLED+ nor WLED Max shows ads.
Which is updated more often, WLED+ or WLED Max?
WLED+ ships an update fortnightly, and WLED Max every 5 days. Most recently, WLED+ was updated on October 16, 2026 and WLED Max on October 20, 2026.

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