Control vs Total Remote Control
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.
Total Remote Control
Transform your iPad into a wireless control surface and extended display for your Mac. Ideal for professionals, it offers low-latency screen mirroring and precise multitouch remote control over Wi-Fi.
- Wireless control surface
- Second display functionality
- Low-latency screen mirroring
- Multitouch gesture control
- Wi-Fi connectivity
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Turn your iPad into a powerful wireless control surface and second display for your Mac. Total Remote Control is the ultimate tool for professionals who need to interact with their Mac from anywhere in the room — or beyond. Ideal for live sound engineers, lighting technicians, and advanced users, it lets you: • Mirror your Mac screen with ultra-low latency. • Control your Mac remotely using precise multitouch gestures. • Extend your desktop and use your iPad as a portable second display. Whether you’re mixing a show, triggering cues, editing on the move, or just need more screen space, Total Remote Control adapts to your workflow — no cables, no lag. Works over Wi-Fi. Perfect for stage, studio, or mobile environments. This app is free to download. The macOS server requires a license (free trial available). Download at total-remote-control.com. Compatible with macOS 12.4 or later and iPadOS 16.6 or later.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: Control at every 9 days against Total Remote Control's every 3 weeks. Control also leads on ratings volume (5 vs 1). On price, rating, review sentiment 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
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 Total Remote Control. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Control has 5 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.
Control ships an update every 9 days, Total Remote Control every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on October 5, 2026.
| Parameter | Control | Total Remote Control |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (5 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 5 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 9 days — better | Every 3 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 17 | 16.6 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 10 MB | 3 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Ryan Whitney | David Barral |
Customer experience
Control
Total Remote Control
In-app purchases
Control
No in-app purchases
Total Remote Control
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Control free?
Is Total Remote Control free?
Which has better reviews, Control or Total Remote Control?
Do Control or Total Remote Control have ads?
Which is updated more often, Control or Total Remote Control?
Other comparisons
