Control vs BigBoard
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Control
Easily manage media playback and system volume on your Mac from your iPhone or iPad. It supports popular apps like Spotify, VLC, and Apple Music without requiring subscriptions or companion app installations.
- System-level volume control
- Basic media playback controls
- Supports TV.app, Music.app, VLC, Spotify
- No subscription or companion app needed
- Connects via built-in permissions
- Requires same network connection
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The simplest and fastest way to control media playback, volume, and more on your Mac. Control connects directly over your local network, so you never have to install or run a companion app. 【NEW】Control any app, video, or website with Keyboard controls. Re-arrange your keypad and add the commands (and shortcuts!) that are useful to you. Additionally, Control always supports system-level volume controls and *direct* playback controls for the following apps: • TV.app • Music.app • QuickTime Player • VLC • IINA • mpv • Spotify • Safari (experimental) No subscriptions, no payments, no ads, no tracking. Control is privacy-first and doesn't collect any data. It connects directly across your local network, so your information never even touches the internet. Need more Control? Send a request anytime. I'd love to make the app as useful as possible. Note: Control’s connection to your Mac is managed via built-in macOS permissions. Once accepted, Control will work forever with no additional setup. It requires being on the same network and enabling Remote Access. Some VPN clients may interfere, depending on settings. Powered by AppleScript.
BigBoard
Transform your device into a dynamic digital marquee for concerts, events, or personal messages. Customize text, colors, and display modes to make your message stand out.
- Dynamic display modes (Standard, Marquee, Spotlight)
- Customizable presets for saved messages
- Smart message history
- Wide range of fonts, colors, and animation speeds
- Text effects (shadows, glows)
- Real-time preview
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BigBoard – Marquee Text Sign is a free app that turns your iPhone or iPad into a vibrant digital marquee. Whether you're at a concert, meeting, classroom, or simply waiting for your loved ones at an arrivals gate at the airport, BigBoard helps you grab attention and communicate your message in a bold, eye-catching way. Key Features: • Dynamic Display Modes: Choose from three powerful ways to show your message: - Standard: Clear, static display - Marquee: Classic scrolling text effect - Spotlight: Impactful word-by-word presentation with multiple transition styles • Custom Presets: Create and save your own frequently used messages for quick access • Smart Message History: Automatically saves messages you've displayed for easy reuse • Customizable Display: Choose from a wide range of fonts, colors, and animation speeds. Create a look that fits your style. • Text Effects: Add shadows or glows to your text with adjustable intensity • Real-Time Preview: Get an instant preview of your message, so you know exactly how it will look before you display it. • Versatile Use Cases: Perfect for concerts, presentations, classrooms, events, or even as a personal digital name tag. • Easy to Use: With a user-friendly interface and intuitive controls, BigBoard is designed for everyone—from students and teachers to event organizers and busy professionals. BigBoard is all about making your message stand out. Transform your device into a portable LED sign that communicates your ideas, announcements, or creative expressions anywhere you go. Whether you need continuous scrolling text or impactful word-by-word display, BigBoard has you covered. Download BigBoard today and let your words light up the room!
Screenshots
Verdict
Control and BigBoard both sit at 5.0 stars, but that hides the real split: 100% of Control's written reviews are positive against 75% of BigBoard's. On price, rating, ratings volume and update cadence 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Control against 5.0 for BigBoard. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 5 and 6 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 100% of Control's written reviews are positive against 75% of BigBoard's.
Control ships an update every 9 days, BigBoard every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on August 3, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Control | BigBoard |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (5 ratings) | 5.0 (6 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better | 75.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 5 | 6 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 9 days | Every 6 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 17 — better | 17.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 10 MB | 1 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Ryan Whitney | Andrej Broncek |
Customer experience
Control
BigBoard
In-app purchases
Control
No in-app purchases
BigBoard
No in-app purchases









