HEOS vs AVR Controller
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.
AVR Controller
Control your network-enabled AV receiver with ease from your iPhone or iPad. Adjust volume, switch inputs, and manage settings instantly without searching for your physical remote.
- Volume dial and slider control
- Instant response over Wi-Fi
- Input and surround mode switching
- Customizable home screen layout
- Multi-zone control (Zone 2/3)
- FM/AM tuner presets
- On-screen menu navigation
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A fast, easy controller for your network-enabled AV receiver (AVR), on iPhone and iPad. No more hunting for the remote in a dark room or waiting for a slow app to load. Power, volume, and inputs are right at your fingertips. FEATURES • Volume dial: Turn a knob to set the volume, or switch to a slider if you prefer. • Instant response: The app talks directly to your receiver over your Wi-Fi, so changes happen right away. • Inputs and surround modes: Switch inputs and surround modes with a single tap. • Your layout: Reorder the home screen sections (inputs, surround, volume, and more) in Settings. • Multi-zone: Control power, volume, and inputs for other rooms (Zone 2 / Zone 3). • Tuner: Recall your FM/AM presets instantly. • Remote: Navigate the on-screen (OSD) menus. • Automatic reconnect: If your receiver's IP address changes, the app finds it again and reconnects. • Built for iPad: A roomy sidebar layout. Every feature is free. If you enjoy the app, you can leave a tip in Settings > Support Development (tips do not unlock features). COMPATIBILITY Works with AV receivers that support network control (HTTP on port 8080). Verified on the Denon AVR-X3800H. Check your receiver's manual to confirm it supports network control. This is an unofficial app made by an independent developer and is not affiliated with any manufacturer. Product names are used only to indicate compatibility; trademarks belong to their respective owners.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: AVR Controller at 100% against HEOS's 29%. AVR Controller also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.4) and monetization model (free vs ad-supported). HEOS's advantage is ratings volume (27K vs 1) and chart position (#184 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
AVR Controller holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: HEOS has 27K ratings behind it against 1, 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 100% of AVR Controller's.
HEOS ships an update every 3 weeks, AVR Controller monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 18, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | HEOS | AVR Controller |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.4 (27K ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 29.5% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 27K — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks — better | Monthly |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Ad-supported | Free — better |
| Best chart rank | #184 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 328 MB | 3 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | D&M Holdings | Yorihito Tada |
Customer experience
HEOS
AVR Controller
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
AVR Controller
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
HEOS
No in-app purchases
AVR Controller
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is HEOS free?
Is AVR Controller free?
Which has better reviews, HEOS or AVR Controller?
Do HEOS or AVR Controller have ads?
Which is updated more often, HEOS or AVR Controller?
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