Comparison

Control‎ vs BetterAudio Remote

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

BetterAudio Remote

Read full description

BetterAudio Remote turns your iPhone into a powerful controller for your Mac’s audio. Key features: - Remote control for Spotify and Apple Music Now Playing on macOS - Quick playback actions (play, pause, next/previous) - Control BetterAudio devices directly from your iPhone - Minimal, fast, and easy-to-use interface Whether you’re working, producing, or just listening, BetterAudio Remote keeps your audio under control - without reaching for your Mac. Control Now Playing for Spotify and Apple Music on your Mac with quick play/pause, skip, and track navigation - without switching screens or interrupting your workflow. It’s perfect for Mac users who want faster, more convenient audio control at their fingertips.

Screenshots

Control‎4 screens
BetterAudio Remote4 screens

Verdict

The call

Control‎ and BetterAudio Remote are too close to call on the numbers: across 5 compared parameters — price, ads, in-app purchases and device support among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

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.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
Control‎ versus BetterAudio Remote: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterControl‎BetterAudio Remote
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (5 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings5 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 9 days—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS17 — better18.6
Further details — not scored
Size10 MB3 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperRyan WhitneyArtur Rok

In-app purchases

None

Control‎

No in-app purchases

None

BetterAudio Remote

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Control‎ free?
Control‎ is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is BetterAudio Remote free?
BetterAudio Remote is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Control‎ or BetterAudio Remote have ads?
Neither Control‎ nor BetterAudio Remote shows ads.

Other comparisons