Comparison

RF Control vs PA TOOLS

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

Head to head
About

RF Control

Remotely manage and monitor up to 48 channels of wireless receivers from Sennheiser and Shure. Provides a quick overview of vital parameters and detailed control for live situations. Features real-time RF and AF level plotting for walk tests and dropout detection.

Highlights
  • Control up to 48 wireless receiver channels
  • Monitor RF and AF levels
  • View battery status and remaining time
  • Adjust frequency, bank, and channel
  • Real-time RF/AF level plotting
  • RF environment scanning (Sennheiser only)
  • Export scan data as CSV
Read full description

RF Control remotely controls up to 48 channels of Sennheiser* and Shure* wireless receivers in one application, side-by-side. The intuitive user interface provides a quick overview of the most vital parameters of your wireless receivers. Dedicated screens have been carefully developed to give you control to parameters that are relevant in a live situation while securing access to the ones that might be harmful to the safety of the system. Following devices are supported by utilizing the manufacturers remote control protocols: Sennheiser: EW-DX, EM 3732*, 2000* series and evolution G3 and G4* wireless receivers. Sennheiser: EM 6000 receivers Shure: ULX-D* Depending on the manufacturer of the receiver RF Control supports monitoring of the most relevant parameters including: - RF level bargraph (all) - AF Level bargraph (all) - Battery status information (all) - Remaining battery time (Shure, EM6000, EW-DX (with Li-Ion battery)) - Device name (all) - EQ type (2000 and ewG3) - Command settings (EM3732COM) - AF Out level (all) - Squelch level (Sennheiser) - Mic Offset (Shure, EM6000, EW-DX) - Lock Status (Shure, EM6000, EWDX) - Encryption Status (Shure, EM6000, EW-DX) - TX Type (Shure, EM 6000, EW-DX) - TX RF Power (Shure) - LQI (EM6000, EW-DX) - Capsule type (EM6000, EW-DX) - Warning indicators (Sennheiser: Low Bat, RX Mute, TX Mute, RF Mute, AF Peak, NoLink, Encryption mismatch) (Shure: Low Bat, Interference, RX Mute, TX Mute, Enrcryption mismatch, AF Peak) A plot of the RF and AF levels is displayed over time, making it the perfect companion for walk tests and spotting dropouts in your audio. The full screen plot window of the iPad version allows to scroll through the recorded RF and audio levels to look up for problems and drop-outs even after hours of recording. All relevant parameters can be remotely controlled: - Frequency, bank, channel (all) - Device name (all) - EQ type (2000 and ewG3) - Command type (EM3732COM) - AF Out level (all) - Squelch level (Sennheiser) - RX Mute (Shure) iPad only: The scan window allows you to use one of the recognized Sennheiser devices to scan the RF environment. The frequency plot can be used to drill down the spectrum and look for free frequencies. The RF Inspector allows for sample accurate readout of the scan data at your fingertips. The scan data can be stored as *.csv file and sent as attachment via email. The *.csv file I can be loaded from third party software for frequency coordination and planning. Scan is not supported by Shure devices. During start up RF Control will scan your network for connected devices. For Sennheiser 2000 series and evolution wireless G3 devices Firmware 1.7.0 or higher needs to be present on the receivers to support the remote control protocol. The app can monitor up to 48 channels in mixed configurations. The device list allows access to all devices in the network and selection of 48 devices for monitoring. The order of channels can be freely arranged and will be restored at the next start of the app. Notes: RF Control is the new name of the wilSmoTe app. RF Control does not support IEM transmitters! Channel count depends on hardware performance! Sennheiser, EW-DX, EM 6000, EM 3732, 2000 series, evolution G3 / G4 are brands, products or trademarks of Sennheiser electronic GmbH & Co.KG and not associated in any way with RF Control. Shure, ULXD, QLXD, Axient are brands, products or trademarks of Shure Inc. and not associated in any way with RF Control.

About

PA TOOLS

This app assists with stage preparation and PA system tuning. It provides tools for L-Acoustics presets, patcher viewing, and calculating wave lengths and room modes.

Highlights
  • L-Acoustics preset guide
  • Patcher viewer
  • Wave length calculator
  • Room mode calculator
  • Stage preparation assistance
Features
Read full description

PA TOOLS is your all-in-one utility kit for audio engineers. From system prep to quick calculations, it brings fast, reliable tools for every stage of a show. Included tools: • Wave Length — Convert delay, meters and phase instantly • Room Modes — Predict standing waves and plan your EQ strategy • Generator — Pink noise or tones with tactile feedback • RTA — Pocket-size RTA with weighted filters • Reference Playlist — Loop cues and walk-in edits on the go • Wave Recorder — Capture rehearsals in 48 kHz WAV and share instantly • SPL & Noise Tracker — Log SPL for compliance and break monitoring • PA Specs — Browse LAcoustics catalog and find compatible accessories • Speaker Load — Plan amp channel loads before the trucks roll in • Cable Section — Choose cable gauge and check voltage drop • L-Acoustics Prealignment — Match LA Network Manager presets with field timing • Sub Array Calculator — Design cardioid or broadside arrays quickly Full Unlock (In-App Purchase): Unlock the complete suite, remove time limits, enable full RTA, full recording, extended playlist playback, unlimited module access, and all upcoming features.

Screenshots

RF Control3 screens
PA TOOLS2 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: PA TOOLS at 100% against RF Control's 33%. PA TOOLS also leads on price (Free vs $5.99) and rating (5.0 vs 1.7). RF Control's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ratings volume (6 vs 1). On 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

PA TOOLS is free to download; RF Control costs $5.99 up front. PA TOOLS sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. RF Control asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

PA TOOLS holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 1.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: RF Control has 6 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 33% of RF Control's written reviews are positive against 100% of PA TOOLS's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

RF Control ships an update every 3 months, PA TOOLS fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 3, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
RF Control versus PA TOOLS: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRF ControlPA TOOLS
Price$5.99Free — better
Rating1.7 (6 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews33.3% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings6 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS12.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size29 MB66 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperClaus MenkeOlivier Jobin

Customer experience

RF Control

All ratings6 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral33.3%
Negative66.7%
Written reviews18 reviews
Positive33.3%
Neutral5.6%
Negative61.1%

PA TOOLS

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

In-app purchases

None

RF Control

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

PA TOOLS

One-time1
  • PA Tools – Full Unlock$22.99

Questions

Is RF Control free?
RF Control costs $5.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is PA TOOLS free?
PA TOOLS is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, RF Control or PA TOOLS?
PA TOOLS is rated higher. RF Control averages 1.7 out of 5 from 6 ratings, while PA TOOLS averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do RF Control or PA TOOLS have ads?
Neither RF Control nor PA TOOLS shows ads.
Which is updated more often, RF Control or PA TOOLS?
RF Control ships an update every 3 months, and PA TOOLS fortnightly. Most recently, RF Control was updated on October 3, 2026 and PA TOOLS on October 10, 2026.

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