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.
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.
- View current temperature and humidity
- Adjust set temperature
- Change heating/cooling mode
- Control fan settings
- Monitor daily runtime history
- Optional state change notifications
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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
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.
- 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
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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
Verdict
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
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.
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.
Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 2, 2026 and October 20, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Thermostat Controller | Smart Home Controller App |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better | 4.6 (3.6K ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better | 18.4% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 1 | 3.6K — better |
| Update frequency | Weekly | Weekly |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Subscription |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone, iPad — better |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 5 MB | 173 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | JASON QUARTZ | Chorus Labs LLC (CA) |
Customer experience
Thermostat Controller
Smart Home Controller App
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
Thermostat Controller
No in-app purchases
Smart Home Controller App
- Smart Home Premium3 Days trial$4.991 Month
- Smart Home Monthly3 Days trial$9.991 Month
- Smart Home Monthly$9.991 Month
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- 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
- Smart Home Premium$69.99
Questions
Is Thermostat Controller free?
Is Smart Home Controller App free?
Which has better reviews, Thermostat Controller or Smart Home Controller App?
Do Thermostat Controller or Smart Home Controller App have ads?
Which is updated more often, Thermostat Controller or Smart Home Controller App?
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