Comparison

Control‎ vs iKontroller

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read full description

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.

About

iKontroller

Transform your iPhone or iPad into a versatile Mac controller. Utilize a high-precision touchpad, customizable buttons, and joystick/gyrostick mapping for seamless remote operation. Connect via Wi-Fi, cellular, or USB.

Highlights
  • High-precision touchpad
  • Customizable buttons and joystick
  • Gyrostick control
  • Multiple connection options (Wi-Fi, USB)
  • Companion desktop app required
Features
Read full description

iKontroller transforms your iPhone and iPad into the perfect controller for your Mac. How does iKontroller achieve this? • Touchpad High-precision touchpad with relative and absolute modes. Relative mode is used in games to move the camera around. Absolute mode is used to move your cursor around. • Left region & Right region / Combined Left & Right region Left region allows you to perform the left single click, double/triple click and long press. Right region allows you to perform the right single click, double/triple click and long press. • Scroll region It allows you to scroll vertically or horizontally. • Button You can map a button to a specific key on your keyboard. Once mapped, pressing that button will trigger the corresponding key on your Mac. • Joystick You can map a joystick to 4 specific keys on your keyboard. Once mapped, moving the joystick in any direction will trigger the corresponding key(s) on your Mac. • Gyrostick You can map a gyrostick to 4 specific keys on your keyboard. Once mapped, tilting and rotating your device in any direction will trigger the corresponding key(s) on your Mac. How does iKontroller connect to my Mac? • Wi-Fi network, Cellular network, USB-C cable or Lightning cable What does iKontroller require? • Local network permission • The companion app named „iKontroller Desktop“ on your Mac. App Store link: https://apps.apple.com/app/ikontroller-desktop/id6755576478?mt=12 For more info; visit iKontroller support: https://biskuitmarie.github.io/ikontroller-support/

Screenshots

Control‎4 screens
iKontroller4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Control‎ at 5.0 against iKontroller's 4.2. Control‎ also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 2). On price, review sentiment, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. iKontroller sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Control‎ asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Control‎ holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 5 and 5 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Control‎ ships an update every 9 days, iKontroller every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 5, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Control‎ versus iKontroller: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterControl‎iKontroller
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (5 ratings) — better4.2 (5 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings55
Update frequencyEvery 9 days — betterEvery 2 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS1717.0
Further details — not scored
Size10 MB21 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRyan WhitneyRichlen Murden

Customer experience

Control‎

All ratings5 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

iKontroller

All ratings5 ratings
Positive80.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative20.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Control‎

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

iKontroller

Subscriptions1
  • iKontroller Gold Monthly$0.991 Month
One-time1
  • iKontroller Gold$14.99

Questions

Is Control‎ free?
Control‎ is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is iKontroller free?
iKontroller is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Control‎ or iKontroller?
Control‎ is rated higher. Control‎ averages 5.0 out of 5 from 5 ratings, while iKontroller averages 4.2 from 5 ratings.
Do Control‎ or iKontroller have ads?
Neither Control‎ nor iKontroller shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Control‎ or iKontroller?
Control‎ ships an update every 9 days, and iKontroller every 2 weeks. Most recently, Control‎ was updated on October 5, 2026 and iKontroller on October 8, 2026.

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