Donna vs RED_CONTROL
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Donna
This app serves as a pocket-sized assistant for users of RED cameras, enabling them to learn, practice, and reference the DSMC/DSMC2 menu structure. It helps avoid on-camera menu surfing and provides insights from industry professionals.
- Learn RED camera menu structure
- Practice menu navigation
- Reference DSMC/DSMC2 menus
- Avoid on-camera menu surfing
- Industry professional insights
- Support for specific firmware versions
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*Featured on NO FILM SCHOOL, CineTechnica, REDSHARKNEWS and NATEANDSEAN.RED.COM* - A must for anyone working with RED cameras. Your very own RED headed assistant. Donna allows users to quickly learn, practice and reference the DSMC/DSMC2 menu structure in the palm of their hand. ANYTIME. ANYWHERE. A perfect companion for AC's, DP's, DIT's, Rental Houses, Owner/Operators and film students working with RED cameras. "I work for RED and have been supporting the cameras for over 7 years. No BS… I sincerely believe that this is hands down the best thing for any RED user, assistant, owner, operator, or enthusiast to have on their phone. I recommend it to everyone on the receiving end of one of my camera demos, or anyone who contacts me about menu navigation." - Nate Heartt, RED LEARN. PRACTICE. REFERENCE. -Avoid menu surfing on the camera -Look like a menu wizard in front of your colleagues. -Bridge that gap between a Data Manager and a DIT. -Maybe you’ve gone as far as you can on your own and need to quickly file a support ticket while on set… DONNA can help with that. -Look up the latest RECON post or lens coverage on REDUSER -Maybe you want to see what crazy trouble Sean and Nate are into.. Donna Tips provides insight from the top professionals in the industry. The current release covers firmware version 5.3.X, 6.X.X and WEAPON 6.1.X Please note, this will not allow you to control the camera and is a simulator to be used for educational purposes. Not all buttons/menus are active.
RED_CONTROL
Control your RED V-RAPTOR™ or KOMODO™ camera directly from your iOS device. This free app offers a customizable interface for live streaming, full menu navigation, and flexible display modes.
- Direct camera control
- Live streaming
- Full menu navigation
- Customizable interface
- Portrait and landscape modes
- Full-screen option
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The RED Control App gives users complete control over their V-RAPTOR™ or KOMODO™ Camera. This free app is easy to use and controls the camera directly from your iOS device. The app offers users a unique customizable interface and the ability to live stream from the camera, navigate the entire menu, and offers both portrait and landscape modes with a full-screen option. Note: RED Control App is compatible with V-RAPTOR, V-RAPTOR XL, V-RAPTOR X and XE, KOMODO-X, and KOMODO 6K only. Not available for use with DSMC2 or previous generation RED cameras. Lens control requires a compatible electronic lens.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Donna at 71% against RED_CONTROL's 56%. Donna also leads on rating (4.3 vs 4.1) and iOS requirement (8.0 vs 15.0). RED_CONTROL's advantage is update cadence (every 4 weeks vs every 2 months) and ratings volume (53 vs 10). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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.
Donna holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 4.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: RED_CONTROL has 53 ratings behind it against 10, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 71% of Donna's written reviews are positive against 56% of RED_CONTROL's.
Donna ships an update every 2 months, RED_CONTROL every 4 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Donna | RED_CONTROL |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.3 (10 ratings) — better | 4.1 (53 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 70.8% of reviews — better | 55.9% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 10 | 53 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 4 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 8.0 — better | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 59 MB | 100 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Kristopher Prygrocki | RED Digital Cinema |
Customer experience
Donna
RED_CONTROL
In-app purchases
Donna
No in-app purchases
RED_CONTROL
No in-app purchases
