Music Box Setup vs playDesk Remote
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side โ with what reviewers say about each.
Music Box Setup
This app facilitates the connection of a Music Box device to your home Wi-Fi network. Once connected, it enables direct playback of Spotify content via Spotify Connect and supports audio streaming through DLNA/DMR and Internet Radio via the UNDOK app.
- Wi-Fi network connection
- Spotify Connect integration
- DLNA/DMR audio playback
- Internet Radio via UNDOK app
- Device setup and configuration
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The Music Box Setup app is required to connect your Music Box to your existing home Wi-Fi network. Follow the on-screen instructions to connect your device. Once connected you will be able to play back Spotify content directly from the Spotify app using Spotify Connect (see https://www.spotify.com/uk/connect for full details). Full instructions are available in the associated user guide that comes with the product. The Music Box is capable of playing back audio via DLNA and DMR using any of your favourite NAS streaming apps. You can also playback Internet Radio via the UNDOK app from Frontier Silicon, also available for download on the app store (search for UNDOK).
playDesk Remote
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playDesk Remote puts your playDesk music system in your hand. Browse music, choose what plays, follow the current track, manage the queue, and control the playback computer from your iPhone or iPad while you stay in the listening chair. playDesk runs on the dedicated computer connected to your speakers, DAC, audio interface, or hi-fi system. The Remote communicates directly with that computer over your home Wi-Fi or LAN. The host keeps ownership of your music files and audio output; your iPhone or iPad acts as a responsive control surface. YOUR MUSIC, YOUR NETWORK Your music remains on the playDesk computer, configured library folders, CDs, and connected USB drives. playDesk Remote does not upload your music library to a cloud service. Discovery and control happen over your local network. BROWSE AND PLAY - Browse configured Local Library folders and attached USB drives - Navigate folders, play individual tracks, play complete folders, or shuffle them - Browse CDs and control disc playback - Search the playDesk index by artist, album, folder, and track - Filter and sort search results, revisit recent searches, and expand collections to choose individual tracks - View the complete playback queue, identify the current and next track, and select another queued track NOW PLAYING - See album artwork, title, artist, album, source, duration, and playback progress - Play, pause, stop, seek, and skip tracks - Adjust software volume and mute when supported by the selected playDesk output mode - Review useful format and signal information, including PCM or DSD format, sample rate, output mode, and selected audio path - Follow preparation and buffering states for DSD files and network-rendered media CONTROL YOUR PLAYDESK - Automatically discover nearby playDesk systems with Bonjour - Connect using a saved system or the LAN address shown by playDesk - See active playback before connecting and stop it when needed - Monitor CD, USB, Local Library, DSD, and optional renderer readiness - Configure supported output, PCM/CD, DSD, renderer, search, storage, and remote settings - Review output availability, connection health, host status, and actionable diagnostics - Choose System, Light, or Dark appearance BUILT FOR A DEDICATED LISTENING SYSTEM playDesk Remote is designed for systems where a quiet computer stays near the audio equipment and handles playback through the selected output. Supported setups can include built-in audio, Windows audio devices, USB DACs, compatible ASIO interfaces, safe DSD-to-PCM playback, and DSD-over-PCM for outputs explicitly trusted by the user. Optional UPnP/DLNA Media Renderer support lets compatible control-point apps send music to playDesk. The Remote can then show the metadata, artwork, progress, preparation state, and queue context supplied by the sender and playDesk. REQUIREMENTS - A computer running a compatible, current version of playDesk - The iPhone or iPad and playDesk computer connected to the same local network - Local Network access enabled for playDesk Remote on iOS - playDesk running and allowed to communicate on the host computer's private network playDesk Remote is a controller for playDesk. It does not play your library through the iPhone or iPad and does not replace the playDesk host application. Learn more: https://sharadaaudio.com/discover-playdesk/ Privacy Policy: https://sharadaaudio.com/privacy-policy/ Terms of Use: https://sharadaaudio.com/terms-of-use/ Built by Sharada Software & Systems Services LLC DBA Sharada Audio.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is iOS requirement: Music Box Setup at 7.1 against playDesk Remote's 17.0. On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price ยท Rating ยท Positive reviews ยท Number of ratings ยท Update frequency ยท Ads ยท In-app purchases ยท Monetization ยท Best chart rank ยท Devices ยท Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Music Box Setup ships an update monthly, playDesk Remote every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Music Box Setup | playDesk Remote |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | โ |
| Update frequency | Monthly โ better | Every 6 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | โ |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod โ better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 7.1 โ better | 17.0 |
| Further details โ not scored | ||
| Size | 8 MB | 6 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Frontier Smart Technologies Ltd | Sharada Software & Systems Services LLC |
In-app purchases
Music Box Setup
No in-app purchases
playDesk Remote
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Music Box Setup free?
Is playDesk Remote free?
Do Music Box Setup or playDesk Remote have ads?
Which is updated more often, Music Box Setup or playDesk Remote?
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