Comparison

HDD Audio Remote vs Onkyo Controller

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

Head to head
About

HDD Audio Remote

Control compatible HDD AUDIO PLAYER models with your smartphone or tablet. Easily select and play tracks, adjust volume, and manage playlists remotely. Edit music information for a personalized listening experience.

Highlights
  • Remote operation of HDD AUDIO PLAYER
  • Track selection and playback control
  • Volume adjustment
  • Playlist creation and editing
  • Music information editing
  • Music service selection
Features
Read full description

HDD Audio Remote is a mobile application that allows you to operate compatible HDD AUDIO PLAYER models using your smartphone or tablet. The application allows you to operate HDD AUDIO PLAYER easily using specialized functions that are only possible in a mobile application, such as the “Full Browser” function (tablets only). This application has the following features: - Easy operation of HDD AUDIO PLAYER using your mobile device By installing HDD Audio Remote on your smartphone or tablet, you can remotely select and play tracks, change playback volume, stop playback and more, instead of operating the HDD AUDIO PLAYER directly. You can also select music services. - Creating and editing playlists You can create and edit playlists with your favorite tracks. - Editing the music information of a track You can edit the details of tracks. Compatible models: HDD Audio Remote supports the following HDD AUDIO PLAYER models. (as of Sept., 2013) - HAP-Z1ES - HAP-S1 Note: The functions of HDD Audio Remote may vary depending on the HDD AUDIO PLAYER model.

About

Onkyo Controller

Control compatible Onkyo network products with this official remote app. Stream music from various sources, manage playback, and operate connected home theater devices. Features automatic sound field correction for compatible products.

Highlights
  • Music playback from streaming services
  • Control music library and NAS drives
  • Remote control functions (play, volume, input)
  • Operate connected Blu-Ray players and TVs
  • Automatic sound field correction (Dirac Live)
  • Check audio/video formats
  • Turn on compatible units remotely
Features
Read full description

Onkyo Controller is the official Onkyo remote control application that allows users to conveniently operate compatible Onkyo network products from their iPhone/iPod touch/iPad. The intuitive, user-friendly interface makes it easy to get more from your AV home entertainment experience. Main functions that can be operated through this application. (1) Play music in each room or every room - Lets you play music from music streaming services such as Pandora, Spotify, DEEZER and TIDAL, your music library on your smart device, or your NAS drive on compatible products. - You can play your music via radio, Bluetooth and USB. (2) Remote control functions - You can operate general control functions (play/stop, control the volume, select the input source, etc.) from your smartphone. (3) Operation of connected product(home theater product such as AV amplifier) - Lets you control a Blu-Ray Disc player or TV that is connected to an AV amplifier or home theater product via HDMI. (4) Dirac Live-enabled products measure automatic sound field correction. In addition, filters can be edited. (5) Audio/Video formats of input and output can also be checked. *By setting the “Network Standby” menu item in the unit’s initial settings to ON, you can use this application to turn on the power of the unit. Compatible models Network AV Receivers/Network Audio Player/Home Theater/Wireless Speaker in April 2016 or later ■ Please note ・To use Application it needs to read and agree Terms of Service. ・All models require a firmware update to use Onkyo Controller. ・Available Service depends on regions. ・Why Device's location is needed? Answer: In order to set-up your wireless devices which are located around you, SSID and Access Point info is needed. There is no other purpose to use the information of Device’s Location.

Screenshots

HDD Audio Remote4 screens
Onkyo Controller4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: HDD Audio Remote at 2.6 against Onkyo Controller's 2.2. HDD Audio Remote also leads on iOS requirement (9.0 vs 15.0). Onkyo Controller's advantage is ratings volume (620 vs 45) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 5 months). On price, review sentiment, ads and in-app purchases 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

HDD Audio Remote holds the better App Store score, 2.6 against 2.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Onkyo Controller has 620 ratings behind it against 45, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 27% of HDD Audio Remote's written reviews are positive against 26% of Onkyo Controller's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

HDD Audio Remote ships an update every 5 months, Onkyo Controller every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
HDD Audio Remote versus Onkyo Controller: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHDD Audio RemoteOnkyo Controller
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.6 (45 ratings) — better2.2 (620 ratings)
Positive reviews26.7% of reviews — better25.6% of reviews
Number of ratings45620 — better
Update frequencyEvery 5 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS9.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size46 MB80 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSony Corporation11 Trading Company LLC

Customer experience

HDD Audio Remote

All ratings45 ratings
Positive33.3%
Neutral8.9%
Negative57.8%
Written reviews90 reviews
Positive26.7%
Neutral11.1%
Negative62.2%

Onkyo Controller

All ratings620 ratings
Positive26.6%
Neutral6.0%
Negative67.4%
Written reviews508 reviews
Positive25.6%
Neutral12.0%
Negative62.4%

Bugs and requests

HDD Audio Remote

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Onkyo Controller

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • App doesn't recognize receiver
  • Fails to connect to Wi-Fi
  • Loses connection during use
  • Doesn't work with iOS 13 and newer
  • Causes receiver to enter Direct mode unexpectedly

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add support for Apple Music
  • Improve Tidal and Deezer integration
  • Allow customization of input names
  • Add sleep timer and power off options
  • Improve volume control and speaker balance adjustments

In-app purchases

None

HDD Audio Remote

No in-app purchases

None

Onkyo Controller

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is HDD Audio Remote free?
HDD Audio Remote is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Onkyo Controller free?
Onkyo Controller is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, HDD Audio Remote or Onkyo Controller?
HDD Audio Remote is rated higher. HDD Audio Remote averages 2.6 out of 5 from 45 ratings, while Onkyo Controller averages 2.2 from 620 ratings.
Do HDD Audio Remote or Onkyo Controller have ads?
Neither HDD Audio Remote nor Onkyo Controller shows ads.
Which is updated more often, HDD Audio Remote or Onkyo Controller?
HDD Audio Remote ships an update every 5 months, and Onkyo Controller every 2 months. Most recently, HDD Audio Remote was updated on October 12, 2026 and Onkyo Controller on October 14, 2026.

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