Comparison

vMix Virtual Control Surface vs NDI Player

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

vMix Virtual Control Surface

This app provides a virtual control surface for the vMix video switching software. It allows users to control vMix functions remotely over a network, mimicking the feel of a hardware switcher with numerous programmable buttons and faders.

Highlights
  • 512 preview buttons
  • 512 program buttons
  • 512 audio input faders
  • Audio channel control
  • Clip playback control
  • Transition and DSK buttons
  • Programmable user buttons
Read full description

vMix CS is a software control surface for controlling the video switching program vMix. This app enables you to control vMix from anywhere within your network. vMix CS also provides the feel of a traditional hardware switcher. Simply press the IP address within vMix CS and type in the IP address of the computer running vMix. vMix Virtual Control Surface Features: -512 preview buttons -512 program buttons -512 overlay buttons -512 audio input faders -512 audio input meters -512 mute input buttons -Toggle Master, A-G bus assignment for audio -Solo Audio Channels -Play, Pause & Repeat clips from the audio controller -4 DSK buttons to control up to 4 overlay channels -4 transition buttons -4 user programmable buttons (programmed within vMix "SurfaceF1", "SurfaceF2", "SurfaceF3" and "SurfaceF4") -Master / Bus A-G audio fader -Master / Bus A-G mute button -Record, Stream, External, FadeToBlack and Take buttons -Smooth T-Bar ******NOTE****** The host vMix computer must have its network set to "Home". Setting this to "Work" or "Public" will block vDesk from connecting to vMix. This can be changed by right clicking the network icon on the bottom right of windows and selecting "Open Network and Sharing Center". In the Network and Sharing Center, the network that you are currently connected to will be displayed along with an icon. Under the name should list the current security setting. It will either list "Home", "Work" or "Public". To change this setting, click on the link below the network name and a new window will pop up. In this new window, select "Home Network". ******* User experience may be poor if WiFi signal is poor

About

NDI Player

This tool transforms your device into a convenient NDI source for live production. Create customized playlists, support multiple NDI formats, and utilize Apple Pencil for annotations. It offers seamless HDMI and AirPlay output with real-time audio monitoring.

Highlights
  • NDI source creation
  • Customized playlist
  • Screen mirroring/AirPlay output
  • Apple Pencil/Finger annotation
  • Multi-NDI source support
  • Real-time audio VU meter
Features
Read full description

- If you are working with NDI, this is your MUST-HAVE tool - Create the most convenient and affordable NDI source instantly - Both landscape and portrait output support - Fully customized playlist, a powerful video player for live production - Supports multitasking on iPad, multiply NDI sources simultaneously - Supports Full NDI, NDI HX H.264, and NDI HX HEVC, display connection tally status - Supports Apple Pencil or Finger markup, drawing, and annotation - Supports full-screen HDMI & ScreenMirroring/AirPlay output - With real-time audio VU meter monitor - No need to register, no subscription fees, one-time purchase for lifetime use

Screenshots

NDI Player4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: NDI Player at Free against vMix Virtual Control Surface's $19.99. NDI Player also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 4 months). vMix Virtual Control Surface's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4) and review sentiment (40% vs 25%). On rating, ratings volume, ads 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

NDI Player is free to download; vMix Virtual Control Surface costs $19.99 up front. NDI Player sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. vMix Virtual Control Surface asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 3.9 for vMix Virtual Control Surface against 3.8 for NDI Player. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 9 and 18 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 40% of vMix Virtual Control Surface's written reviews are positive against 25% of NDI Player's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

vMix Virtual Control Surface ships an update every 4 months, NDI Player fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
vMix Virtual Control Surface versus NDI Player: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParametervMix Virtual Control SurfaceNDI Player
Price$19.99Free — better
Rating3.9 (9 ratings) — better3.8 (18 ratings)
Positive reviews40.0% of reviews — better25.0% of reviews
Number of ratings918 — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS13.0 — better16.6
Further details — not scored
Size14 MB33 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSeth HabermanTopDirector Corporation

Customer experience

vMix Virtual Control Surface

All ratings9 ratings
Positive77.8%
Neutral0.0%
Negative22.2%
Written reviews35 reviews
Positive40.0%
Neutral17.1%
Negative42.9%

NDI Player

All ratings18 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral5.6%
Negative27.8%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive25.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative75.0%

In-app purchases

None

vMix Virtual Control Surface

No in-app purchases

4 purchases

NDI Player

One-time4
  • Using Apple Pencil or Finger$4.99
  • Movie Playback$9.99
  • HDMI & ScreenMirroring/AirPlay$9.99
Show 1 more
  • List Playback$14.99

Questions

Is vMix Virtual Control Surface free?
vMix Virtual Control Surface costs $19.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is NDI Player free?
NDI Player is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, vMix Virtual Control Surface or NDI Player?
vMix Virtual Control Surface is rated higher. vMix Virtual Control Surface averages 3.9 out of 5 from 9 ratings, while NDI Player averages 3.8 from 18 ratings.
Do vMix Virtual Control Surface or NDI Player have ads?
Neither vMix Virtual Control Surface nor NDI Player shows ads.
Which is updated more often, vMix Virtual Control Surface or NDI Player?
vMix Virtual Control Surface ships an update every 4 months, and NDI Player fortnightly. Most recently, vMix Virtual Control Surface was updated on October 17, 2026 and NDI Player on October 14, 2026.

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