HEOS vs Sonos
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- True multi-room audio
- Quick and easy setup
- Access online music services
- Search across multiple music sources
- Control playback remotely
- Access locally stored music
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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.
Sonos
This app centralizes your music and audio content for seamless control of your home sound system. Easily manage playback across multiple rooms, discover new music, and personalize your listening experience with saved favorites and custom settings.
- Unified content and control
- Multi-room audio playback
- Streaming service integration
- Personalized music library
- Easy product setup
- Voice control integration
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The Sonos app brings all your content and settings together in one place for effortless control of your Sonos products and listening experience. ONE TAP TO ALL YOUR FAVORITE SOUNDS The Home screen puts all your content and controls right at your fingertips. Quickly jump back into your recent favorites, discover new music, and fill your home with Sonos sound. STREAMING STREAMLINED Browse, search, and play content from all your services with a single app, including Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Pandora, TIDAL, Audible, Deezer, iHeartRadio, and SiriusXM. WHOLE-HOME CONTROL Play something different in every part of your home or the same thing everywhere. The Sonos app gives you complete control of your Sonos products and listening experience from any room. PERSONALIZED LISTENING Create your ultimate music library by saving go-to artists, albums, playlists, and stations to Sonos Favorites. Fine-tune products for your space with Trueplay™. And adjust settings for your needs and preferences. EASY SETUP The app automatically detects your Sonos products, then it’s only a few taps to incredible sound. Easily set up a stereo pair, create a cinematic surround sound system, and add speakers to more rooms. GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR SONOS EXPERIENCE Enable Sonos Voice Control to play music and control your system with hands-free ease and unheard-of privacy.* Explore helpful tips and recommendations in your Message Center. *Requires a voice-enabled Sonos product. Sonos Voice Control not available in all languages and countries.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: HEOS at none against Sonos's 1. HEOS also leads on ads (none vs shown) and iOS requirement (16.0 vs 18.0). Sonos's advantage is ratings volume (927K vs 27K) and chart position (#25 vs unranked). On price, rating, review sentiment and update cadence 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. Sonos sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $9.99 per month. HEOS asks for nothing beyond the download.
Sonos holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Sonos has 927K ratings behind it against 27K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 24% of HEOS's written reviews are positive against 17% of Sonos's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
HEOS ships an update every 3 weeks, Sonos fortnightly. Both last shipped on September 25, 2026.
| Parameter | HEOS | Sonos |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.4 (27K ratings) | 4.6 (927K ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 24.4% of reviews — better | 17.2% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 27K | 927K — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Fortnightly — better |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Ad-supported — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | — | #25 — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 — better | 18.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 327 MB | 208 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | D&M Holdings | Sonos, Inc. |
Customer experience
HEOS
Sonos
User reviews
HEOS
From 27K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Excellent sound quality
- 🔒 Robust wireless connectivity
- 👍 Convenient app control
- 💡 Integrates with various music services
Room to improve
- 🐛 Buggy and unstable app
- 👎 Poor user interface and navigation
- 🔌 Connectivity issues and frequent disconnects
- 💤 Slow app performance and loading times
Sonos
From 927K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Seamless upgrade process
- 🔒 Robust connectivity
- 👍 Great sound quality
Room to improve
- 🐛 Frequent connectivity issues
- 🔍 Confusing and buggy app
- ⏱️ Slow and unresponsive app
- 🔄 Speakers randomly disappearing
- 🤯 Frustrating app updates
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
Sonos
Reported bugs
3 issues- App unable to connect to speakers
- Speakers not recognized after updates
- Inconsistent volume and playback controls
Requested features
3 requests- Improved app stability and responsiveness
- Restore legacy features (alarms, queues, etc.)
- Customizable app interface
In-app purchases
HEOS
No in-app purchases
Sonos
- Sonos Radio HD Monthly1 Month trial$9.991 Month








