Comparison

FreeControl vs DMSS

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

Head to head
About

FreeControl

Remotely monitor and control your security system from your iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad. Receive intruder alarms with event images for visual verification, view live streaming video from IP cameras, and arm/disarm your system on demand.

Highlights
  • Remote arm/disarm
  • Intruder alarm notifications
  • Event image verification
  • Live IP camera streaming
  • On-demand video viewing
Features
Read full description

FreeControl enables you to remotely monitor and control your security System from your iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad. With FreeControl you can arm/disarm your system, receive intruder alarms together with event images for visual verification of alarms, view streaming video from IP cameras on demand and more. Pricing is subject to change without prior notice.

About

DMSS

Monitor your home security with real-time video surveillance and instant alarm notifications. Play back recorded footage, share access with family, and manage devices like intercoms and access control systems remotely.

Highlights
  • Real-time live video view
  • Video playback by date and event
  • Instant alarm notifications
  • Device sharing with permissions
  • Alarm hub for various sensors
  • Visual intercom and access control
Features
Read full description

The DMSS app can enhance your security management efficiency. You can watch real-time surveillance videos and play them back anytime, anywhere, via Wi-Fi or cellular networks. If a device alarm is triggered, DMSS will immediately push an instant notification to you. DMSS offers: 1. Real-time Live View: You can view real-time surveillance videos from the added devices anytime, anywhere, to help you better monitor the safety of your home environment. 2. Video Playback: You can quickly find the events you care about by date and event category, and playback the required historical video footage. 3. Instant Alarm Notifications: You can subscribe to different alarm events according to your needs. When an event is triggered, you will immediately receive the message notification. 4. Device Sharing You can share the device with family members for shared use and assign them different usage permissions. 5. Alarm Hub You can add a variety of peripheral accessories to the alarm hub to provide warnings for potential theft, intrusion, fire, water damage, and other situations. In case of an unforeseen event, DMSS can immediately activate alarms and send out danger notifications. 6. Visual Intercom You can add visual intercom devices to engage in video calls between the device and the DMSS, as well as perform functions like locking and unlocking. 7. Access Control You can add access control devices to check the current status of doors and view unlock records, as well as perform remote unlocking operations on the doors.

Screenshots

FreeControl4 screens
DMSS4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: DMSS at 89% against FreeControl's 13%. DMSS also leads on update cadence (every 10 days vs every 3 months) and monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). 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. FreeControl sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $21.49 per year and DMSS sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

FreeControl ships an update every 3 months, DMSS every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on November 7, 2026 and November 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
FreeControl versus DMSS: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFreeControlDMSS
PriceFreeFree
Rating—4.8 (79K ratings) — better
Positive reviews12.7% of reviews88.8% of reviews — better
Number of ratings—79K — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 10 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS15.613.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size385 MB472 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRISCO GroupDongBin

Customer experience

FreeControl

Written reviews110 reviews
Positive12.7%
Neutral14.5%
Negative72.7%

DMSS

All ratings78,697 ratings
Positive97.0%
Neutral1.5%
Negative1.6%
Written reviews3,838 reviews
Positive88.8%
Neutral3.0%
Negative8.2%

Bugs and requests

FreeControl

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

DMSS

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Inconsistent connection and playback issues
  • Notifications not working as expected
  • Time/date display problems
  • Crashes and freezes when using certain features

Requested features

5 requests
  • Ability to turn cameras on/off individually within the app
  • Faster forward/rewind options for playback
  • Custom notification sounds
  • More flexible scheduling and notification settings
  • Improved integration with other smart home/security devices

In-app purchases

8 purchases

FreeControl

Subscriptions8
  • Plus 11 Month trial$21.491 Year
  • Plus 1 Connect$39.991 Year
  • Plus 21 Month trial$42.991 Year
Show 5 more
  • Plus 1 Audio Connect$48.901 Year
  • Plus 31 Month trial$64.991 Year
  • Plus 6$85.991 Year
  • Plus 101 Month trial$149.991 Year
  • Plus 10+1 Month trial$234.991 Year
10 purchases

DMSS

One-time10
  • Monthly Basic Plan$3.49
  • Monthly Basic Plan - Dual-lens$6.90
  • Monthly Pro Plan$6.99
Show 7 more
  • Monthly 4G Data Plan$10.00
  • Monthly Pro Plan - Dual-lens$13.90
  • Annual Basic Plan$34.99
  • Annual Basic Plan - Dual-lens$69.90
  • Annual Pro Plan$69.99
  • Annual 4G Data Plan$90.00
  • Annual Pro Plan - Dual-lens$139.00

Questions

Is FreeControl free?
FreeControl is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is DMSS free?
DMSS is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do FreeControl or DMSS have ads?
Neither FreeControl nor DMSS shows ads.
Which is updated more often, FreeControl or DMSS?
FreeControl ships an update every 3 months, and DMSS every 10 days. Most recently, FreeControl was updated on November 7, 2026 and DMSS on November 9, 2026.

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