# Control App vs Staslink

The clearest difference is rating: Control App at 5.0 against Staslink's 4.4. Control App also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 8) and ads (none vs shown). Staslink's advantage is ratings volume (19K vs 1). On price, update cadence and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Staslink sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days. Control App asks for nothing beyond the download.

Control App holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Staslink has 19K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Control App ships an update every 6 weeks, Staslink every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Control App | Staslink |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/control-app/id883350932/reviews)** | [4.4 (19K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/staslink-satellites-tracker/id1515415038/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 1 | **19K** |
| Positive reviews | — | 56.9% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 6 weeks** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 35 MB | 98 MB |
| Requires iOS | **8.0** | 15.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Inmarsat Global Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/883350935) | [SMART WIDGET LABS COMPANY LIMITED](https://appshunter.io/developer/1561934122) |

## What reviewers say

### Control App

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/control-app/id883350932)

This app connects your smart device to a global satellite network for internet access outside cellular coverage. It offers setup assistance, control over shared connections, and visibility of data usage. Features include signal strength indicators, network registration, and device management.

**Highlights:** Setup assistance, Shared access control, Data usage visibility, Signal strength indicator, Network registration, Device management, Firewall pre-sets

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Staslink

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/staslink-satellites-tracker/id1515415038)

Track the International Space Station and Starlink satellites with real-time live maps and HD video feeds from NASA. Get personalized reminders for optimal viewing times and explore the universe from an astronaut's perspective.

**Highlights:** Live ISS & Starlink camera feed from NASA, Real-time global tracking with Live Map, Reminders for upcoming satellite visits, Visibility predictions and statistics, HD video of Earth from ISS, Smart Tracking Engine

**Features:** Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (8)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly Premium Tracking | $2.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly Freetrial | $3.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly Freetrial | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly | $5.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly Premium | $12.99 | per month |
| Lifetime Premium | $24.99 | one-time |
| Lifetime | $29.99 | one-time |
| Lifetime | $34.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy setup
- 🚀 Fast internet speeds
- 💡 Useful satellite tracking
- 🔍 Informative app

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Inconsistent performance
- 🤔 Unclear instructions
- 💰 Expensive subscription
- 🚫 Limited free features

**Reported bugs**

- App freezing and crashing
- Incorrect satellite pass times
- Location detection issues
- Incompatibility with older devices

**Requested features**

- Ability to track specific satellites
- Improved location selection and storage
- Satellite pass notifications
- 3D sky view for better satellite visualization


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Control App free?

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

### Is Staslink free?

Staslink is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Control App or Staslink?

Control App is rated higher. Control App averages 5.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while Staslink averages 4.4 from 19K ratings.

### Do Control App or Staslink have ads?

Staslink shows ads; Control App does not.

### Which is updated more often, Control App or Staslink?

Control App ships an update every 6 weeks, and Staslink every 2 months. Most recently, Control App was updated on October 1, 2026 and Staslink on October 16, 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.*