Comparison

iControlAV5 vs ALPINE_OPTIM

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

Head to head
About

iControlAV5

Control compatible Pioneer AV receivers and Blu-ray players from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. Adjust volume, switch inputs, select listening modes, and even power devices on and off remotely. Offers advanced control and a user-friendly interface optimized for larger screens.

Highlights
  • Complete receiver control
  • Input switching
  • Listening mode selection
  • Volume adjustment
  • Power on/off
  • Advanced SOUND EXPLORER control
  • Optimized iPad interface
Features
Read full description

Completely redesigned for 2014, iControlAV5 gives you complete control of your compatible Pioneer AV Receiver and Blu-ray Disc player using your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. (*A note regarding AV Receiver compatibility: iControlAV5 works with compatible AV receivers. A complete list of compatible models is available below. ) Not only can you control the basic features of your AV receiver like volume, switching inputs, select the listening mode and power on and off. iControlAV5 turns your iOS device into an advanced remote control, giving full control (i.e. SOUND EXPLORER) of your new AV receiver, and in a fun and intuitive way. Designed for both iPhone and iPad, the iPad version has a unique user interface specifically designed to take advantage of the iPad device's larger screen. *Set the network standby --> "ON" beforehand, you can turn ON your AV receiver with iControlAV5. Compatible AV receiver models USA/Canada: SC-LX901,SC-LX801,SC-LX701,SC-LX501,VSX-LX301,VSX-1131,VSX-LX101,VSX-831, SC-99,SC-97,SC-95,SC-91,VSX-90,VSX-1130,VSX-45,VSX-830, SC-89,SC-87,SC-85,SC-82,SC-81,VSX-80,VSX-1124,VSX-44,VSX-1024,VSX-1029,VSX-824, SC-79,SC-77,SC-75,SC-1523,SC-1528,SC-72,SC-1323,SC-1328,SC-71,SC-1223,SC-1228,VSX-70,VSX-1123,VSX-1128,VSX-1028,VSX-43,VSX-1023,VSX-823, SC-68,SC-67,SC-65,SC-1522,SC-1527,SC-63,SC-61,SC-1222,SC-1227,VSX-60,VSX-1122,VSX-1127,VSX-1027,VSX-42,VSX-1022,VSX-822, SC-57,SC-55,VSX-53,VSX-52,VSX-51,VSX-50,VSX-1121,VSX-1021,SC-1526,VSX-1326,VSX-1126,VSX-1026,VSX-926 Central and South America : SC-99,SC-97,SC-95,SC-91,VSX-90,VSX-1130,VSX-45,SC-LX89,SC-LX79,SC-LX59,VSX-930,VSX-830, SC-87,SC-82,SC-81,VSX-80,VSX-1124,VSX-924,VSX-824, SC-79,SC-77,SC-72,VSX-70,SC-LX87,SC-LX77,SC-LX57,VSX-1123,VSX-923,VSX-43,VSX-823, SC-68,SC-67,SC-65,SC-63,SC-61,VSX-60,VSX-1122,SC-LX56,VSX-922,VSX-42,VSX-1022,VSX-822, SC-57,SC-55,VSX-53,VSX-52,VSX-51,VSX-50,VSX-1021,VSX-LX55,VSX-921 Europe : SC-LX901,SC-LX801,SC-LX701,SC-LX501,VSX-1131,VSX-831,VSX-S520, SC-LX89,SC-LX79,SC-LX59,VSX-1130,VSX-930,VSX-830, SC-LX88,SC-LX78,SC-LX58,SC-2024,SC-1224,VSX-924,VSX-824,VSX-529, SC-LX87,SC-LX77,SC-LX57,SC-2023,SC-1223,VSX-1123,VSX-923,VSX-S510,VSX-828,VSX-528, SC-LX86,SC-LX76,SC-LX56,SC-2022,VSX-1122,VSX-922,VSX-827,VSX-527, SC-LX85,SC-LX75,VSX-LX55,VSX-2021,VSX-1021,VSX-921 Asean : SC-LX89,SC-LX79,SC-LX59,VSX-930,VSX-830, SC-LX88,SC-LX78,SC-LX58,SC-2024,SC-1224,VSX-924,VSX-824, SC-LX87,SC-LX77,SC-LX57,SC-2023,SC-1223,VSX-1123,VSX-923,VSX-823, SC-LX86,SC-LX76,SC-LX56,SC-2022,VSX-1122,VSX-922,VSX-822, SC-LX85,SC-LX75,VSX-LX55,VSX-1021,VSX-921 Oceania : VSX-1131, VSX-831, SC-LX89,SC-LX79,SC-LX59,VSX-1130,VSX-930,VSX-830, SC-LX88,SC-LX78,SC-LX58,SC-2024,SC-1224,VSX-924,VSX-824,VSX-529, SC-LX87,SC-LX77,SC-LX57,SC-2023,SC-1223,VSX-1123,VSX-923,VSX-828,VSX-528, SC-LX86,SC-LX76,SC-LX56,SC-2022,VSX-1122,VSX-922,VSX-827,VSX-527, SC-LX85,SC-LX75,VSX-LX55,VSX-2021,VSX-1021,VSX-921 Middle-East : SC-LX89,SC-LX79,SC-LX59,VSX-930,VSX-830, SC-LX88,SC-LX78,SC-LX58,SC-2024,SC-1224,VSX-924,VSX-824, SC-LX87,SC-LX77,SC-LX57,SC-2023,SC-1223,VSX-1123,VSX-923,VSX-823 SC-LX86,SC-LX76,SC-LX56,SC-2022,VSX-1122,VSX-922,VSX-822, SC-LX85,SC-LX75,VSX-LX55,VSX-1021,VSX-921 East-Asia : VSX-831, SC-LX89,SC-LX79,SC-LX59,VSX-930,VSX-830, SC-LX88,SC-LX78,SC-LX58,SC-1224,VSX-924,VSX-824, SC-LX87,SC-LX77,SC-LX57,SC-1223,VSX-1123,VSX-923,VSX-S510,VSX-823, SC-LX86,SC-LX76,SC-LX56,VSX-1122,VSX-922,VSX-822, SC-LX85,SC-LX75,VSX-LX55,VSX-1021,VSX-921 Compatible Blu-ray Disc player models USA/Canada : BDP-33FD,BDP-31FD,BDP-330,BDP-43FD,BDP-41FD,BDP-430,BDP-53FD,BDP-52FD,BDP-140,BDP-62FD,BDP-150,BDP-80FD,BDP-85FD,BDP-88FD Europe : BDP-LX53,BDP-330,BDP-333,BDP-LX54,BDP-430,BDP-LX55,BDP-440,BDP-140,BDP-450,BDP-150,BDP-160,BDP-170,BDP-LX58,BDP-LX88,BDP-180,BDP-100,BDP-X300 Other Countries : BDP-LX53,BDP-330,BDP-LX54,BDP-430,BDP-LX55,BDP-440,BDP-140,BDP-450,BDP-150,BDP-160,BDP-170,BDP-LX58,BDP-LX88,BDP-180

About

ALPINE_OPTIM

This app uses your iPhone's microphone to automatically tune your car's audio system for optimal sound. It allows for easy setup of custom sound curves and connects wirelessly via Bluetooth.

Highlights
  • Automatic sound tuning
  • Acoustic condition measurement
  • Custom sound curve setup
  • Bluetooth connectivity
  • iPhone microphone analysis
Features
Read full description

[Alpine unique sound tuning] Alpine’s unique sound tuning technology uses auto-tuning to measure the acoustic conditions inside your car, then corrects and optimizes the sound. Use your iPhone’s built-in microphone for easy analysis and measurement, ensuring ideal sound results. [Easy sound set up with professional equalizing] Once basic system configuration is complete with the PC app, you can easily set up your favorite target curve with your iPhone. The OPTIM sound tuning app will automatically adjust your sound system to the custom sound curve you have set. [BT connection] Connection to your "OPTIM™" system is a simple process via Bluetooth, and no special operation is required. Simply follow the guide in the app to connect and start tuning right away. [Supported model] Please note that the ALPINE OPTIM app is compatible with "OPTIM8" PXE-C80-88 and "OPTIM6" PXE-C60-60. [Note] Be sure to use the latest version of the software for optimal performance. Upgrade your car audio experience with the ALPINE OPTIM app.

Screenshots

iControlAV54 screens
ALPINE_OPTIM3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ratings volume: iControlAV5 at 258 against ALPINE_OPTIM's 7. iControlAV5 also leads on review sentiment (39% vs 27%) and iOS requirement (6.1 vs 14). On price, rating, update cadence 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 2.2 for iControlAV5 against 2.3 for ALPINE_OPTIM. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: iControlAV5 has 258 ratings behind it against 7, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 39% of iControlAV5's written reviews are positive against 27% of ALPINE_OPTIM's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and October 2, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
iControlAV5 versus ALPINE_OPTIM: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameteriControlAV5ALPINE_OPTIM
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.2 (258 ratings)2.3 (7 ratings) — better
Positive reviews38.6% of reviews — better27.3% of reviews
Number of ratings258 — better7
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS6.1 — better14
Further details — not scored
Size99 MB66 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer11 Trading Company LLCAlpine Electronics Marketing,Inc.

Customer experience

iControlAV5

All ratings258 ratings
Positive28.3%
Neutral5.4%
Negative66.3%
Written reviews412 reviews
Positive38.6%
Neutral9.0%
Negative52.4%

ALPINE_OPTIM

All ratings7 ratings
Positive28.6%
Neutral0.0%
Negative71.4%
Written reviews11 reviews
Positive27.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative72.7%

Bugs and requests

iControlAV5

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • App crashes on startup
  • Unable to connect to receiver
  • Settings reset unexpectedly
  • Compatibility issues with iOS updates

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add speaker A/B selection
  • Improve network stability
  • Streamline user interface
  • Expand compatibility with older models

ALPINE_OPTIM

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

iControlAV5

No in-app purchases

None

ALPINE_OPTIM

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is iControlAV5 free?
iControlAV5 is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is ALPINE_OPTIM free?
ALPINE_OPTIM is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, iControlAV5 or ALPINE_OPTIM?
ALPINE_OPTIM is rated higher. iControlAV5 averages 2.2 out of 5 from 258 ratings, while ALPINE_OPTIM averages 2.3 from 7 ratings.
Do iControlAV5 or ALPINE_OPTIM have ads?
Neither iControlAV5 nor ALPINE_OPTIM shows ads.
Which is updated more often, iControlAV5 or ALPINE_OPTIM?
iControlAV5 ships an update every 3 months, and ALPINE_OPTIM every 3 months. Most recently, iControlAV5 was updated on October 16, 2026 and ALPINE_OPTIM on October 2, 2026.

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