Comparison

HEOS vs RØDE Central Mobile

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

RØDE Central Mobile

This mobile app serves as a companion for compatible RØDE microphones, enabling users to configure device settings remotely. It unlocks advanced features, processing, and allows for firmware updates. Access device information and control various microphone parameters on the go.

Highlights
  • Remote device configuration
  • Unlock advanced features
  • Access on-board processing
  • Update device firmware
  • View device information
  • Control gain and filters
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

RØDE Central is an easy-to-use mobile companion app for compatible RØDE microphones that allows you to configure your device settings anywhere, unlock advanced features and processing, access device information, and update to the latest firmware. Note: You will need to use an MFi-certified Lightning Accessory cable such as the RØDE SC15 or SC21 to connect your RØDE microphone to your smartphone. To access on-board recordings from the Wireless GO II, you will need to use the desktop version of the RØDE Central app. Key Features ------------- - Fully featured and easy-to-use companion app for a range of RØDE products - Activate and control features and settings anytime, anywhere - Access powerful on-board processing and effects, including compression, high-pass filtering, noise gating and the legendary Aphex® Aural Exciter™ and Big Bottom™ - Update your device firmware to access latest features - Access device information, including clock, firmware version, battery levels, product ID and more Supported Microphones and Settings -------------------------------------- [ Wireless ME ] - ME Mic: On, Off - GainAssist: Auto, Dynamic, Off - Split / Merged Mode - Output Gain: Low, Mid, High - LEDs: Dim, Bright [ Wireless GO II ] - Split / Merged Mode - Backlight: On, Off - Gain Mode: Fine, Coarse, Camera Preset - Safety Channel: On, Off - Button: Marker, Backlight, Mute, None - On-board Recording: Always, Backup, Off - Pad: On, Off - Recording Quality: Compressed, Uncompressed [ VideoMic GO II ] - Input Gain - High-frequency Boost: On, Off - High-pass Filter: Off, 75Hz, 150Hz - Pad: On, Off - Direct Monitoring: On, Off - Monitoring Level [ AI-Micro ] - Merged / Split / Stereo Input 1 Mode - Input Gain (Input 1, 2) - High-pass Filter: Off, 75Hz, 150Hz - Direct Monitoring: On, Off - Monitoring Level [ NT-USB+ ] - Input Gain - High-pass Filter: Off/75Hz/150Hz - Noise Gate: On, Off - Compressor: On, Off - Aphex® Aural Exciter™: On, Off - Aphex® Big Bottom™: On, Off - Save to Microphone (settings persist)

Screenshots

HEOS4 screens
RØDE Central Mobile3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: HEOS at 4.4 against RØDE Central Mobile's 1.6. HEOS also leads on ratings volume (27K vs 39) and review sentiment (29% vs 11%). RØDE Central Mobile's advantage is monetization model (free vs ad-supported) and chart position (#161 vs unranked). On price, update cadence, 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.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

HEOS holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 1.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: HEOS has 27K ratings behind it against 39, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 29% of HEOS's written reviews are positive against 11% of RØDE Central Mobile's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

HEOS ships an update every 3 weeks, RØDE Central Mobile every 5 weeks. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
HEOS versus RØDE Central Mobile: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHEOSRØDE Central Mobile
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (27K ratings) — better1.6 (39 ratings)
Positive reviews29.5% of reviews — better11.2% of reviews
Number of ratings27K — better39
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 5 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationAd-supportedFree — better
Best chart rank—#161 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size328 MB84 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperD&M HoldingsRØDE Microphones

Customer experience

HEOS

All ratings27,124 ratings
Positive84.7%
Neutral4.2%
Negative11.1%
Written reviews1,574 reviews
Positive29.5%
Neutral15.1%
Negative55.4%

RØDE Central Mobile

All ratings37 ratings
Positive8.1%
Neutral10.8%
Negative81.1%
Written reviews553 reviews
Positive11.2%
Neutral5.1%
Negative83.7%

User reviews

HEOS

From 27K App Store ratings

What 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

RØDE Central Mobile

From 39 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Works flawlessly
  • 🚀 Great addition to the product
  • 🚀 Allows changing settings on the go

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Doesn't connect to devices
  • 🐛 Requires proprietary cable
  • 🐛 Doesn't recognize devices
  • 🐛 Firmware update issues
  • 🐛 App is not user-friendly

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

RØDE Central Mobile

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • App doesn't recognize devices even with latest firmware
  • Constant requests to update firmware
  • Incompatibility with standard cables

Requested features

4 requests
  • Allow downloading of recorded files
  • Support for more devices
  • Improve app usability
  • Add dark mode

In-app purchases

None

HEOS

No in-app purchases

None

RØDE Central Mobile

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is HEOS free?
HEOS is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is RØDE Central Mobile free?
RØDE Central Mobile is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, HEOS or RØDE Central Mobile?
HEOS is rated higher. HEOS averages 4.4 out of 5 from 27K ratings, while RØDE Central Mobile averages 1.6 from 39 ratings.
Do HEOS or RØDE Central Mobile have ads?
Neither HEOS nor RØDE Central Mobile shows ads.
Which is updated more often, HEOS or RØDE Central Mobile?
HEOS ships an update every 3 weeks, and RØDE Central Mobile every 5 weeks. Most recently, HEOS was updated on October 24, 2026 and RØDE Central Mobile on October 24, 2026.

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