Comparison

HEOS vs jControl

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

jControl

Transform your mobile device into a wireless remote for your JENSEN stereo system. Control all primary functions, including power, volume, radio, media playback, and audio settings, directly from your phone or tablet. Enjoy a convenient, pocket-sized control for your RV lifestyle.

Highlights
  • Power on/off
  • Volume and mute control
  • CD/DVD player control
  • AM/FM radio tuner access
  • Bluetooth streaming audio
  • USB media playback control
  • Audio menu settings
Features
Read full description

JENSEN® Specialty Controller is the ultimate wireless remote control for your JENSEN stereo system. Store away your old remotes and enjoy the convenience of all the primary functions of your JENSEN stereo right from your phone or tablet by transforming your mobile device into a functional stereo remote control! The jControl app works with the following JENSEN models: JWM1A JWM10A JWM12A JWM6A JWM60A JWM62A JWM70A JWM72A JWM9A JWM90A JWM92A MS2A MS3A This app controls all of the primary functions of your stereo features including: Power on/off Volume and mute CD/DVD player AM/FM radio tuner: access station, recall, store presets, switch songs NOAA weather band and alert Bluetooth® streaming audio SiriusXM® Satellite Radio File structure visibility, track selection, track audible scan up and down via USB iPod/iPhone/iPad® control capabilities via USB Auxiliary audio input control - auxiliary analog 1 & 2, auxiliary digital coaxial, auxiliary digital optical Speaker selection A, B and/or C Audio menu controls - bass, treble, balance, fader, equalizer, volume and speaker selection settings Clock with sleep time and alarm Visual display feedback so you can see artist title and album on your mobile screen JENSEN Specialty Controller transforms your mobile device into a functional stereo remote control making it a perfect pocket-size, portable controller to fit your RV lifestyle. *App capabilities vary with the stereo’s feature set.

Screenshots

HEOS4 screens
jControl4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: HEOS at 4.4 against jControl's 1.9. HEOS also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 5 months) and ratings volume (27K vs 126). jControl's advantage is monetization model (free vs ad-supported) and iOS requirement (8.0 vs 16.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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 1.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: HEOS has 27K ratings behind it against 126, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 25% of HEOS's written reviews are positive against 11% of jControl's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

HEOS ships an update every 3 weeks, jControl every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on September 30, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
HEOS versus jControl: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHEOSjControl
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (27K ratings) — better1.9 (126 ratings)
Positive reviews24.6% of reviews — better11.4% of reviews
Number of ratings27K — better126
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 5 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationAd-supportedFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.08.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size327 MB13 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperD&M HoldingsASA Electronics, LLC

Customer experience

HEOS

All ratings27,003 ratings
Positive84.7%
Neutral4.2%
Negative11.1%
Written reviews894 reviews
Positive24.6%
Neutral15.7%
Negative59.7%

jControl

All ratings126 ratings
Positive20.6%
Neutral5.6%
Negative73.8%
Written reviews79 reviews
Positive11.4%
Neutral3.8%
Negative84.8%

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

jControl

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

HEOS

No in-app purchases

None

jControl

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is HEOS free?
HEOS is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is jControl free?
jControl is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, HEOS or jControl?
HEOS is rated higher. HEOS averages 4.4 out of 5 from 27K ratings, while jControl averages 1.9 from 126 ratings.
Do HEOS or jControl have ads?
Neither HEOS nor jControl shows ads.
Which is updated more often, HEOS or jControl?
HEOS ships an update every 3 weeks, and jControl every 5 months. Most recently, HEOS was updated on September 30, 2026 and jControl on September 22, 2026.

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