Comparison

HEOS vs Almando Play

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

Head to head
About

HEOS

Control a wide range of connected audio devices from Denon, Marantz, and Definitive Technology. Stream music from online services or local storage, and enjoy true multi-room audio with easy setup and intuitive control.

Highlights
  • True multi-room audio
  • Quick and easy setup
  • Access online music services
  • Search across multiple music sources
  • Control playback remotely
  • Access locally stored music
Features
Read full description

HEOS is the controller app for the world’s biggest and best range of connected audio gear. It is a smart music streaming technology found in all devices Powered by HEOS from Denon, Marantz, and Definitive Technology. HEOS is for music lovers who want a beautiful and intuitive way to enjoy the latest advances in connected audio. You can find HEOS built into great sounding AV receivers, Hi-Fi equipment, sound bars, speakers, mini systems and specialty multi-room models. Features: True multi-room audio: play different songs in different rooms or the same song in multiple rooms. Quick and easy setup: add all your speakers with step-by-step instructions. Instant access to your favorite music: play from your favorite online music services, like Spotify, Amazon Music, TIDAL, and more. Search your music in one place: use one search function to browse across multiple music sources. See what’s playing any time: play, pause, and skip music from anywhere in the app. Access locally stored music: play music saved to your phone, USB, analog inputs, computers, and NAS drives. Share with your friends and family: support for multiple users and multiple music service accounts.

About

Almando Play

This app configures and operates special audio devices, allowing seamless integration of various consumer electronics. It automatically manages speaker activation and source switching for a simplified entertainment experience. Customize sound settings and enjoy internet radio or USB music playback.

Highlights
  • Device configuration
  • Automatic source switching
  • Speaker management
  • Sound settings customization
  • Lip sync adjustment
  • Internet radio playback
  • USB music playback
Features
Read full description

Attention: This app is used to configure and operate special Almando devices. The app cannot be used without an Almando device! Almando is a manufacturer of high-quality audio products from Germany. With these products you can connect consumer electronics from different manufacturers. The handling is very easy. All Almando products are incredibly intelligent - they always detect the status of your connected sources (e.g. Samsung TV, Sonos network player, etc.) and automatically activate your speakers (e.g. Bang & Olufsen, Piega, etc.) All you need is a single remote control - only that of the device you want to listen to. Everything else is done by the Almando product automatically - Almando is the automatic switch for your entertainment electronics. And with this free intuitive app you can configure everything - speaker management, sound settings, lip sync, Pro Logic mode - and most of it separately for each connected source. So you can customize all your devices to your personal listening habits. In everyday use of the app, you can start Internet radio stations, play music from USB storage, etc. Regular and free firmware updates keep the system up-to-date. Support via email to support@almando.com

Screenshots

HEOS4 screens
Almando Play3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: HEOS at every 3 weeks against Almando Play's every 2 months. Almando Play's advantage is monetization model (free vs ad-supported). On price, review sentiment, ads and in-app purchases 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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

HEOS ships an update every 3 weeks, Almando Play every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 26, 2026 and June 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
HEOS versus Almando Play: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHEOSAlmando Play
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (27K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews24.4% of reviews28.6% of reviews — better
Number of ratings27K — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationAd-supportedFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.015.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size327 MB29 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperD&M Holdingsalmando GmbH

Customer experience

HEOS

All ratings27,003 ratings
Positive84.7%
Neutral4.2%
Negative11.1%
Written reviews891 reviews
Positive24.4%
Neutral15.7%
Negative59.9%

Almando Play

Written reviews7 reviews
Positive28.6%
Neutral14.3%
Negative57.1%

Bugs and requests

HEOS

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • App crashes and freezes frequently
  • Speakers randomly disappear from the network
  • Volume controls are inconsistent and unreliable
  • Sync issues between grouped speakers

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add support for Apple Music
  • Improve playlist management and queue functionality
  • Provide better customization options for rooms and speakers
  • Implement a more intuitive and user-friendly app design

Almando Play

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

HEOS

No in-app purchases

None

Almando Play

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is HEOS free?
HEOS is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Almando Play free?
Almando Play is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do HEOS or Almando Play have ads?
Neither HEOS nor Almando Play shows ads.
Which is updated more often, HEOS or Almando Play?
HEOS ships an update every 3 weeks, and Almando Play every 2 months. Most recently, HEOS was updated on September 26, 2026 and Almando Play on June 1, 2026.

Other comparisons