Comparison

Control vs RouteEffect

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

Head to head
About

Control

Transform your mobile device into a versatile network command center. Control smart home devices, send custom commands, and manage your network with a single tap. Features include HTTP server, MIDI control, and collaborative grids.

Highlights
  • HTTP Server capabilities
  • Bluetooth MIDI control
  • Multi-protocol command sending
  • Customizable grid layouts
  • Action chaining
  • Real-time collaboration
Features
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Control-It turns your iPhone or iPad into a pocket-sized command center for everything on your network. Toggle your lights, open your garage, send HTTP requests, or dispatch MIDI messages—all with a single tap and zero extra hardware. Now with HTTP Server capabilities, MIDI sessions and MIDI input and a Bluetooth MIDI Bridge, Control-It is more powerful than ever. What You Can Do - NEW: HTTP Server: Turn your device into a powerful server to trigger actions remotely via simple HTTP requests. - NEW: MIDI Engine: Seamlessly connect and control Bluetooth MIDI devices without cables. - NEW: Bluetooth Bridge: Not on the same WIFI network as your other devices? Setup a Bluetooth Bridge and control devices without WIFI. - Collaborative Grids: Sync grids instantly with your team. Real-time collaboration is now faster and more reliable. - Multi-Protocol Control: Fire commands over HTTP, TCP, UDP, OSC, and MIDI. - Grid Builder: Create custom layouts for fast, organized control. - Chain Actions: Trigger entire sequences of commands with a single button press. - Smart Responses: Parse & display HTTP responses using JSONPath rules. Why You’ll Love It - Fresh New Look: A modernized, sleek user interface designed for clarity and ease of use. - 100% Free: No subscriptions, no paywalls, and no "Pro" tiers. Every feature is yours, forever. - Instant: Commands leave the phone the moment you tap. - Adaptable: Mix protocols, layouts, and workflows to fit shows, studios, and living rooms alike. - Mobile-First: Built for dark stages, full hands, and those who need reliable tools on the go. - Community-Driven: Upload your grids and actions to the "Shop" or find new ones made by others in the community. Grow with Us Control-It was born backstage, between camera cuts, lighting cues, and last-minute changes. It’s created by a Production Director and made for anyone who needs tools that simply work. Have an idea? Email the Developer with your requests. Privacy Policy: https://micah1crandell.github.io/control_it/privacy.html Terms of Use (EULA): https://micah1crandell.github.io/control_it/terms.html

About

RouteEffect

This app provides professional control for Blackmagic Design Videohub video routers. It offers intuitive routing management, customization options, and real-time switching for live events, studios, and broadcast environments.

Highlights
  • Support for various Blackmagic Design 12G-SDI Videohubs
  • Multiple routing views (Button, Split, List, Wheel, Crosspoint)
  • Real-time switching with instant feedback
  • Customizable inputs/outputs with icons and colors
  • Offline simulator for testing configurations
  • Picture-in-Picture mode for background control
Features
Read full description

RouteEffect is the ultimate controller for Blackmagic Design Videohub video routers. RouteEffect is engineered for professionals who need fast, reliable, and intuitive control of their video routing infrastructure. Whether you’re in a control room, on location, or managing multiple video hubs across a facility, RouteEffect delivers instant responsiveness, reliability, and powerful features such as: • Support for Blackmagic Design 12G-SDI Videohubs from the Videohub Mini 4x2 12G all the way to the massive Videohub 120x120 12G • Multiple routing views, including Button, Split, List, Wheel, and Crosspoint • Real-time switching with instant feedback • Support for locking outputs, take mode, and advanced workflows • Virtual outputs lets you group multiple outputs into one • Customize your inputs and outputs with icons, colors, and labels • Simulator lets you test out hardware and configurations while offline • Native support for iPhone, iPad, and macOS with syncing via iCloud • Picture-in-Picture mode to maintain router control in the background RouteEffect is perfect for: • Live events • Streaming studios • Broadcast environments • Post-production workflows Take command of your video routing infrastructure with RouteEffect. # Freemium Mode and Premium Features Without a subscription, RouteEffect operates in Freemium Mode, which includes access to the following features: • Button and Wheel routing management method • Create unlimited video routers and simulators, but you will only be able to control the first one in each list. Premium features available to those with a RouteEffect subscription include: • Connect to an unlimited number of Videohub video routers of simulators • Access to the Split, List, and Crosspoint routing management methods • Assign input sources to virtual outputs • Fire salvos with presets • Access to RouteEffect's extensive support for Shortcuts • Picture-in-Picture dashboard • Export and import of video router metadata • Opening external Multiview windows # Subscription RouteEffect is limited in functionality without purchasing a subscription.  Monthly and annual subscription plans purchased from the app will be charged to your App Store account and will automatically renew within 24 hours prior to the end of the current subscription period unless auto-renew is disabled beforehand. You can manage your subscriptions in your App Store account settings. The use of this app is governed by a separate privacy policy and end-user license agreement, available at https://routeeffect.com/privacy. By installing the app, you agree to these terms and conditions. ---- Blackmagic Design and Videohub are trademarks of Blackmagic Design Pty. Ltd. All product names, logos, and brands are property of their respective owners.

Screenshots

Control4 screens
RouteEffect4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Control at none against RouteEffect's 4. Control also leads on ratings volume (3 vs 1). On price, rating, 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. RouteEffect sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month. Control asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Control against 5.0 for RouteEffect. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 1 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Control ships an update every 6 weeks, RouteEffect every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on June 3, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 6 level
Control versus RouteEffect: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterControlRouteEffect
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (3 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings)
Number of ratings3 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeks — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size18 MB32 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMicah CrandellAdam Tow

Customer experience

Control

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

RouteEffect

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Control

No in-app purchases

4 purchases

RouteEffect

Subscriptions4
  • Monthly - Individual14 Days trial$6.991 Month
  • Monthly + Family Sharing14 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • Annual - Individual14 Days trial$59.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • Annual + Family Sharing14 Days trial$79.991 Year

Questions

Is Control free?
Control is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is RouteEffect free?
RouteEffect is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Control or RouteEffect?
Control and RouteEffect are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 3 and 1 ratings respectively.
Do Control or RouteEffect have ads?
Neither Control nor RouteEffect shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Control or RouteEffect?
Control ships an update every 6 weeks, and RouteEffect every 3 months. Most recently, Control was updated on June 3, 2026 and RouteEffect on September 24, 2026.

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