Comparison

LinkControl vs Loccali

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

Head to head
About

LinkControl

This utility app acts as an interface for controlling physical devices like lights and motors. It downloads button definitions from a server and sends button press identifiers back to the server, which then determines the action.

Highlights
  • Control lights, dimmers, and motors
  • Button definition downloads
  • Button press identification
  • Server-based device control
  • Customizable button layouts
Features
Read full description

LinkControl is an automation application that can be used to control lights, dimmers, motors and other physical devices. This application is essentially a button processing application that needs to be paired with a server component that ultimately controls the physical devices. This application downloads button definitions from the server application and when a button is pressed a button identifier is returned to the server indicating which button was pressed. With that information the server decides the appropriate next step. LinkControl has no knowledge of the overall process as it just handles button definitions and button presses.

About

Loccali

This app provides persistent, global storage for Apple Shortcuts, allowing variables to survive between runs, automations, and devices. It supports various data types and offers a free tier with limitations and a Pro version with unlimited capabilities.

Highlights
  • Persistent global variable storage
  • Cross-shortcut and cross-device variable access
  • Sync variables via iCloud
  • Support for complex data types
  • Instant Shortcuts integration
  • Free tier with limited variables
  • Pro tier with unlimited variables and features
Features
Read full description

Make your local variables global — across Shortcuts, devices, and time. Loccali gives Apple Shortcuts the one thing it's missing: persistent, global storage. With Loccali, you can store data that survives between runs, across automations, and even across devices — without resorting to workarounds or iCloud Drive hacks. What It Does: - Store key-value data outside of individual shortcuts - Retrieve or update that data from any shortcut - Sync variables via iCloud across iPhone, iPad, and Mac - Store more complex data types (arrays, locations, dates, files) Free Version Includes: - Store up to 10 variables - Supports Text (up to 256 characters), Booleans, and Positive Integers - Instant Shortcuts integration via native actions - Clean, simple UI for direct variable management Pro Unlocks: - Unlimited variables - Full support for: - Text (no limit) - Integers & Decimals (positive and negative) - Arrays (e.g., JSON-style lists) - Dates and Locations - Files (store and retrieve files via Shortcuts) - More flexibility for serious automation workflows Available as: - Monthly auto-renewable subscription - Yearly auto-renewable subscription (best value per month) - One-time lifetime unlock Already bought Pro? You're set — your original purchase keeps unlocking the full Pro feature set you paid for, forever, no subscription required. Privacy: - Your variables stay on your device and in your private iCloud — never uploaded to our servers - Anonymous usage analytics and crash diagnostics via Firebase to help us fix bugs - Free tier shows a rewarded ad when you reach the daily action cap (iPhone and iPad only — Mac is ad-free) - Pro removes ads entirely - Full details: https://pierrejanineh.com/loccali/privacy-policy Who This Is For: - Automation enthusiasts - Shortcuts power users - Developers who want real persistence across Shortcuts - Anyone who's hit the limits of "magic variables" or built clunky workarounds Note: "Magic variables" are Shortcuts' built-in auto-generated values — they're convenient but temporary. Loccali gives you real, persistent ones. Loccali is not for everyone — but if you know what a global variable is, this is probably for you. No noise. Just clean, script-free state management for your Shortcuts. If you use Shortcuts seriously, this belongs in your toolbox. Subscription terms: - Loccali Pro is available as a monthly or yearly auto-renewable subscription, or a one-time lifetime unlock. - Payment is charged to your Apple ID at confirmation of purchase. - Your subscription renews automatically unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. - The account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period at the same price as the original subscription. - Manage or cancel your subscription in Settings → your Apple ID → Subscriptions. - Privacy policy: https://pierrejanineh.com/loccali/privacy-policy - Terms of use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

LinkControl4 screens
Loccali4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Loccali at 5.0 against LinkControl's 3.5. Loccali also leads on update cadence (every 4 weeks vs every 18 months). LinkControl's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4) and ads (none vs shown). On price, ratings volume, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Loccali sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. LinkControl asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Loccali holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 2 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

LinkControl ships an update every 18 months, Loccali every 4 weeks. The most recent releases landed on June 1, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
LinkControl versus Loccali: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLinkControlLoccali
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.5 (2 ratings)5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings22
Update frequencyEvery 18 monthsEvery 4 weeks — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18.617.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size1 MB27 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRiver Rock LogicPierre Janineh

Customer experience

LinkControl

All ratings2 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

Loccali

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

In-app purchases

None

LinkControl

No in-app purchases

4 purchases

Loccali

Subscriptions2
  • Pro - monthly$1.991 Month
  • Pro - yearly7 Days trial$9.991 Year
One-time2
  • Pro Version$3.99
  • Lifetime Pro$29.99

Questions

Is LinkControl free?
LinkControl is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Loccali free?
Loccali is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, LinkControl or Loccali?
Loccali is rated higher. LinkControl averages 3.5 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while Loccali averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.
Do LinkControl or Loccali have ads?
Loccali shows ads; LinkControl does not.
Which is updated more often, LinkControl or Loccali?
LinkControl ships an update every 18 months, and Loccali every 4 weeks. Most recently, LinkControl was updated on June 1, 2026 and Loccali on September 21, 2026.

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