BleControlsPi vs eTrackPad
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
BleControlsPi
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The BLEControlsPi App allows to create various iOS controls such as Button,Toggle, Sliders, Steppers, Pickers (color, date, options) to Control a Raspberry Pi. Manipulating these controls sends their value to the Raspberry Pi (or linux device) in real time over Bluetooth Low Energy(BLE). You can also define Display controls such as Gauges and Text Displays, to create a Dashboard, where the Raspberry Pi sends info to the iPhone/iPad also in real time over Bluetooth. You can create, edit, size, and positions the controls in the app without being connected to a Raspberry Pi. However, before you can connect to, and control the Raspberry Pi you must instal the Python code (see below). IMPORTANT: You must install the free companion Python Software on the Raspberry Pi - where you define your own handlers (callback) functions that take actions on the Raspberry Pi, or fetch data on the Raspberry Pi to send to the iPhone/iPad. The code is provided with an automated installer for the Raspberry Pi. See https://github.com/bluepieapps/blecontrolspi-python and the README. The app provides 2 free controls. These can be created , deleted and re-created as often as you wish, allowing you to test any configuration, or run a simple control scheme. If you need more controls, you can use In-App Purchases to buy Control Packs (in quantity 1,3,5 or 9) for a small fee. This is not a subscription. Once you own the pack - it is yours to use. Packs allow the creation of any controls offered in the app, and any such controls can be edited, deleted and re-created at will. You can install the app on multiple iPhones/iPads that all use the same Apple ID. Controls Packs, and Controls you define on one device are synchronized to the other devices on app restart. Add a new control on your iPhone, and it will show up on your iPad. delete a controls from your iPad, and it will be deleted from your iPhone. See a video of the app at: https://youtu.be/8y3t2luLw3k See the documentation at: https://bluepieapps.com/Control-Pi-over-bluetooth/ - There is docs on how the controls, working which type of controls are available. - There is also an explanation of how you create handlers in the Python Code on the Raspberry Pi to have the RPi react to the controls you have defined.
eTrackPad
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Turn your iPad or iPhone into a full-featured wireless trackpad for your Mac. eTrackPad brings every gesture you know from the Magic Trackpad to your touch screen with 1-2 ms latency — plus a remote keyboard, numeric keypad, jog wheel and presentation remote. THE REAL macOS GESTURE SET • 1 finger: cursor, tap to click, tap-press-drag • 2 fingers: scrolling, right click, pinch to zoom • 3 fingers: switch between desktops, Mission Control, App Exposé, optional three-finger drag • 4 fingers: Launchpad, show desktop MORE THAN A TRACKPAD • Remote keyboard: type on your Mac from your iPad • Numeric keypad: full-size numpad with ÷ × − + operator column • Media controls: playback and volume keys at your fingertips • Jog wheel: step frame by frame in Final Cut and Premiere, with Blade (⌘B) and Marker (M) shortcuts • Presentation remote: full-screen mode with timer for Keynote and PowerPoint • Context-aware panels: the right panel opens automatically based on the frontmost Mac app FAST AND SECURE CONNECTION • Wi-Fi, USB cable or Bluetooth — your choice • Automatic discovery, one-time PIN pairing • All traffic is end-to-end encrypted; your data flows only between your devices and never touches the internet • No ads, no analytics, no account FINE-TUNING • Palm rejection, haptic feedback, natural scrolling • Adjustable cursor and scroll speed, left-handed mode, light/dark theme SETUP Download the free eTrackPad helper app on your Mac (apprip.com), open eTrackPad on your iPad and pair with a PIN — that's it. FREE AND PRO Cursor, left click, two-finger scrolling and Wi-Fi connection are completely free. A one-time eTrackPad Pro purchase (not a subscription) unlocks: • Right click and all gestures • Pinch and smart zoom • 3-4 finger gestures • Remote keyboard • USB and Bluetooth connection • Pairing with multiple Macs REQUIREMENTS • iOS/iPadOS 16 or later • macOS 13 Ventura or later + the free eTrackPad Mac helper app (apprip.com) Questions or feedback: support@apprip.com
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: eTrackPad at none against BleControlsPi's 4. On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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. BleControlsPi sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. eTrackPad asks for nothing beyond the download.
| Parameter | BleControlsPi | eTrackPad |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 16.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 8 MB | 9 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Normand Frenette | Batuhan Tufekci |
In-app purchases
BleControlsPi
- Controls Pack 1$0.99
- Controls Pack 3$2.69
- Controls Pack 5$3.99
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- Controls Pack 9$6.99
eTrackPad
No in-app purchases









