Comparison

Thermostat Controller vs Smart Home Controller App

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

Head to head
About

Thermostat Controller

Monitor and adjust your Venstar thermostat's temperature, humidity, and fan settings directly from your phone. View current and historical runtime data. Receive optional notifications for state changes.

Highlights
  • View current temperature and humidity
  • Adjust set temperature
  • Change heating/cooling mode
  • Control fan settings
  • Monitor daily runtime history
  • Optional state change notifications
Read full description

This app lets you view the data from and control your Venstar thermostat locally. Note: "Locally" refers to the fact that your Venstar thermostat has a local API. This app is interacting with this local API. Meaning, unless you have remote mode enabled and are running the companion app on a computer, then, if your phone isn't connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your thermostat, you won't be able to read from it or control it. Data you can view: * Current temperature * Set temperature * Humidity * Mode (heat, cool, auto) * Fan state * Today’s runtime * Runtime for each day of the past week * The average daily runtime for the past week What you can control: * Increase/decrease the set temperature * Change the mode (heating, cooling, auto) * Change the fan mode (always on or auto) Optional push notifications are available to let you know when the thermostat state changes from idle to active (e.g. heating or cooling) or vice versa. These push notifications require the companion app to be running on a computer as well as an API key. More info here: https://thermostat-controller.studiojq.io/push An optional remote mode is now also available, which lets you view your thermostat data while not on the same Wi-Fi network as the thermostat (i.e. from anywhere). This remote mode requires the companion app to be running on a computer as well as an API key. The remote mode is view only. You cannot control your thermostat remotely. More info here: https://thermostat-controller.studiojq.io/remote Documentation: https://thermostat-controller.studiojq.io

About

Smart Home Controller App

Manage and control a wide range of smart home devices, including plugs, switches, bulbs, and cameras, from a single, intuitive interface. Simplify your daily routines by turning devices on or off with a tap, and easily expand your smart home setup.

Highlights
  • Control smart plugs, switches, and bulbs
  • Manage Wi-Fi cameras
  • Single-tap device on/off
  • Seamless device setup
  • Intuitive user interface
  • Expandable smart home management
Features
Read full description

The Smart Home Controller App helps you manage and control your smart devices, including connected plugs, switches, lights, bulbs, cameras, and more. Simple Smart Home Control Easily turn connected devices on or off with a single tap. Whether you're managing a single smart plug or multiple devices throughout your home, control is always within reach. Easy Setup Quickly connect supported devices and manage them directly from your phone. Designed to work with a wide range of compatible smart home products. Control Your Devices Manage lights, plugs, switches, and other supported devices from a single app. Create a streamlined smart home experience with reliable device control. Intuitive Design The app features a clean and user-friendly interface, making it easy to get started whether you're new to smart home technology or an experienced user. Why Choose Smart Home Controller App • Control compatible smart devices from one place • Easy setup and device management • Simple and reliable smart home controls • Supports a wide range of compatible products • Clean and intuitive user experience Premium Subscriptions Get unlimited access with a monthly or yearly plan. Payment is charged to your iTunes Account at purchase and at each renewal. Subscriptions renew automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period in Account Settings. Privacy Policy and Terms Privacy Policy: https://chorus-labs.com/smart-home-privacy/ Terms of Service: https://chorus-labs.com/smart-home-terms/ Support Email: support@chorus-labs.com

Screenshots

Thermostat Controller4 screens
Smart Home Controller App4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Thermostat Controller at 100% against Smart Home Controller App's 18%. Thermostat Controller also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 11) and rating (5.0 vs 4.6). Smart Home Controller App's advantage is ratings volume (3.6K vs 1). On price, update cadence, ads 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. Smart Home Controller App sells 11 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Thermostat Controller asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Thermostat Controller holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Smart Home Controller App has 3.6K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of Thermostat Controller's written reviews are positive against 18% of Smart Home Controller App's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 2, 2026 and October 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Thermostat Controller versus Smart Home Controller App: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterThermostat ControllerSmart Home Controller App
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better4.6 (3.6K ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better18.4% of reviews
Number of ratings13.6K — better
Update frequencyWeeklyWeekly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterSubscription
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS16.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size5 MB173 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJASON QUARTZChorus Labs LLC (CA)

Customer experience

Thermostat Controller

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Smart Home Controller App

All ratings3,571 ratings
Positive89.0%
Neutral2.4%
Negative8.7%
Written reviews163 reviews
Positive18.4%
Neutral2.5%
Negative79.1%

Bugs and requests

Thermostat Controller

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Smart Home Controller App

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Frequent app crashes
  • Disconnection issues after power outages
  • Incompatibility with certain smart home systems

Requested features

3 requests
  • Free access to core features
  • Improved device compatibility
  • Streamlined setup process

In-app purchases

None

Thermostat Controller

No in-app purchases

11 purchases

Smart Home Controller App

Subscriptions10
  • Smart Home Premium3 Days trial$4.991 Month
  • Smart Home Monthly3 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • Smart Home Monthly$9.991 Month
Show 7 more
  • Smart Home Premium3 Days trial$19.991 Year
  • Smart Home Premium$19.991 Year
  • Smart Home Premium3 Days trial$29.991 Year
  • Smart Home Premium1 Month trial$39.991 Year
  • Smart Home Premium3 Days trial$39.991 Year
  • Smart Home Premium$39.991 Year
  • Smart Home Yearly3 Days trial$49.991 Year
One-time1
  • Smart Home Premium$69.99

Questions

Is Thermostat Controller free?
Thermostat Controller is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Smart Home Controller App free?
Smart Home Controller App is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Thermostat Controller or Smart Home Controller App?
Thermostat Controller is rated higher. Thermostat Controller averages 5.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while Smart Home Controller App averages 4.6 from 3.6K ratings.
Do Thermostat Controller or Smart Home Controller App have ads?
Neither Thermostat Controller nor Smart Home Controller App shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Thermostat Controller or Smart Home Controller App?
Thermostat Controller ships an update weekly, and Smart Home Controller App weekly. Most recently, Thermostat Controller was updated on October 2, 2026 and Smart Home Controller App on October 20, 2026.

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