# HEOS vs Shokz

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Shokz at 95% against HEOS's 29%. Shokz also leads on rating (4.8 vs 4.4) and update cadence (weekly vs every 3 weeks). HEOS's advantage is monetization model (ad-supported vs free with in-app purchases). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

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

Shokz holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 27K and 26K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 29% of HEOS's written reviews are positive against 95% of Shokz's.

HEOS ships an update every 3 weeks, Shokz weekly. Both last shipped on October 26, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | HEOS | Shokz |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.4 (27K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/heos/id843129434/reviews) | **[4.8 (26K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shokz/id1596854072/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **27K** | 26K |
| Positive reviews | 29.5% of reviews | **94.6% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | **Ad-supported** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | — | **#50** |
| Size | 328 MB | 279 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **15.5** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [D&M Holdings](https://appshunter.io/developer/388608883) | [Shenzhen Shokz Co., Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1596854074) |

## What reviewers say

### HEOS

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/heos/id843129434)

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:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Excellent sound quality
- 🔒 Robust wireless connectivity
- 👍 Convenient app control
- 💡 Integrates with various music services

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Buggy and unstable app
- 👎 Poor user interface and navigation
- 🔌 Connectivity issues and frequent disconnects
- 💤 Slow app performance and loading times

**Reported bugs**

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

**Requested features**

- 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


### Shokz

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shokz/id1596854072)

**Currently charting:** #50 Top Free · Music (US App Store)

Enhance your audio experience with customizable sound modes and a powerful equalizer. Effortlessly manage multiple Bluetooth devices, update firmware, and control playback. Access detailed information about your headphones and the brand.

**Highlights:** Customizable sound modes, Equalizer settings, Multipoint Bluetooth pairing, Firmware upgrades, Playback controls, Headphone information access

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Comfortable and lightweight
- 🚀 Excellent sound quality
- 💡 Awareness of surroundings
- 🔋 Long battery life
- 👍 Seamless multi-device connectivity

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional Bluetooth connectivity issues
- 🔋 Battery life could be better
- 👎 Limited EQ customization options
- 👎 Microphone quality could be improved
- 👎 Volume range not optimal in some environments

**Reported bugs**

- Headphones randomly disconnecting
- App unable to detect/connect to headphones
- Inconsistent volume levels

**Requested features**

- More advanced EQ settings
- Automatic volume adjustment based on environment
- Customizable button controls
- Integration with fitness/health tracking apps


## Frequently asked questions

### Is HEOS free?

HEOS is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Shokz free?

Shokz is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, HEOS or Shokz?

Shokz is rated higher. HEOS averages 4.4 out of 5 from 27K ratings, while Shokz averages 4.8 from 26K ratings.

### Do HEOS or Shokz have ads?

Neither HEOS nor Shokz shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, HEOS or Shokz?

HEOS ships an update every 3 weeks, and Shokz weekly. Most recently, HEOS was updated on October 26, 2026 and Shokz on October 26, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*