Klipper turned 3D printers into network-managed machines and the browser interfaces (Mainsail, Fluidd) cover most desktop workflows. The phone is a different problem. A long Klipper print needs occasional check-ins from the couch, a school pickup line, or a bathroom break, and the browser UI doesn’t push notifications, doesn’t keep a webcam stream alive in the background, and doesn’t survive a Wi-Fi handoff the way a native app does.
We tested seven Klipper companion apps for Android across single-printer setups and small print farms. Each pick is rated for Mainsail and Fluidd compatibility, webcam reliability, push notification behavior, and how it handles the bouncy Wi-Fi situations that kill flaky web apps. OctoPrint-only options are noted where they also work with the OctoPrint-Klipper bridge.
What to look for in a Klipper companion app
Six things matter when the app has to be reliable rather than novel:
- Native Moonraker API support rather than a thin browser wrapper
- Reliable webcam streaming that survives screen lock and Wi-Fi handoffs
- Push notifications for print done, print failed, and filament-runout events
- Multi-printer support for small farms
- Local network discovery that doesn’t require typing IP addresses by hand
- Background polling that doesn’t drain the phone battery
Quick comparison
| App | Best for | Klipper support | Free plan | Multi-printer | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OctoApp | OctoPrint and Klipper together | Yes (via Moonraker) | Yes | Yes | 4.6 |
| Mobileraker | Klipper-native, free | Yes (native) | Yes | Yes (Supporter tier) | 4.5 |
| Printoid | OctoPrint and bridged Klipper | Yes (via OctoPrint) | Yes (Lite) | Yes (Premium) | 4.3 |
| Obico | AI failure detection | Yes (native) | Yes | Yes (Cloud tier) | 4.4 |
| Polar Cloud | Cloud-managed Klipper | Yes (via Polar) | Yes | Yes | 3.9 |
| Spagheti | Lightweight Moonraker client | Yes (native) | Yes (open-source) | Yes | 4.0 |
| Repetier-Server App | Repetier-Server hosts | Limited | Yes | Yes | 4.1 |
The 7 best Klipper companion apps for Android
1. OctoApp — best for OctoPrint and Klipper together
OctoApp by Crysxd started as the polished OctoPrint companion and added native Moonraker support, which makes it the right pick if you have printers on both OctoPrint and Klipper. The webcam streaming is the most reliable in this comparison, push notifications fire fast, and the multi-printer dashboard shows live thumbnails for every machine.
Where it falls short: Some advanced Klipper features (macro discovery, deep config edits) still feel OctoPrint-first. Background streaming on aggressive Android battery managers needs a permission toggle.
Pricing:
- Free: Single printer, core features
- Paid: Plus subscription unlocks multi-printer and advanced webcam features, modest monthly fee
Platforms: Android, iOS
Download: Google Play · App Store · Aptoide
Bottom line: Pick OctoApp when you have a mix of OctoPrint and Klipper printers and want one polished app for all of them.
2. Mobileraker — best Klipper-native free option
Mobileraker by Patrick is the most-recommended free Klipper companion. It talks directly to Moonraker, handles webcam streaming (multiple feeds per printer), and ships push notifications through a free Firebase setup. The macro discovery picks up everything you’ve defined in printer.cfg and shows them as one-tap buttons.
Where it falls short: Multi-printer view in the free tier is limited to a handful; Supporter tier unlocks more. Some webcam setups (mjpg-streamer alternatives) need manual config.
Pricing:
- Free / Open source: Up to a handful of printers, core features
- Paid: Supporter tier (modest monthly fee) unlocks unlimited printers and removes the splash screen
Platforms: Android, iOS
Download: Google Play · App Store
Bottom line: Pick Mobileraker when you want a free, Klipper-first companion and don’t need OctoPrint compatibility.
3. Printoid — best for OctoPrint-bridged Klipper
Printoid is the longest-running OctoPrint companion on Android and works with Klipper through the OctoPrint-Klipper plugin. The temperature graph and notification system have been polished over years of releases, and the widget support drops a print-status tile on the home screen.
Where it falls short: Klipper support is via the OctoPrint bridge, not native Moonraker. Lite tier is heavily feature-gated; Premium is required for most of the useful features.
Pricing:
- Free: Lite tier, single printer
- Paid: Premium is a one-time fee for full features, plus the Premium+ tier adds multi-printer
Platforms: Android
Download: Google Play · Aptoide
Bottom line: Pick Printoid when your printers run OctoPrint with the Klipper plugin and you want a mature companion app.
4. Obico — best for AI failure detection
Obico (formerly The Spaghetti Detective) layers AI failure detection on top of Klipper or OctoPrint. The phone app shows the webcam feed with live detection overlay — if the print starts “spaghetti-ing” (filament tangled into nothing), Obico pauses the print before more filament is wasted.
Where it falls short: Cloud tier (more detection hours, cellular notifications) is a paid subscription. Self-hosted detection requires extra setup and processing power.
Pricing:
- Free: Self-hosted detection, unlimited hours
- Paid: Cloud tier with hosted detection, monthly subscription
Platforms: Android, iOS
Download: Google Play · App Store
Bottom line: Pick Obico when print failures cost you filament and you want AI eyes on the printer.
5. Polar Cloud — best for cloud-managed Klipper
Polar Cloud is the cloud service that turns any Klipper or OctoPrint printer into a remote-accessible machine through Polar’s servers. The phone app talks to Polar Cloud, not directly to your printer, which means remote access works from anywhere without setting up VPN or port forwarding.
Where it falls short: Cloud-first design means the printer’s status leaves your local network. Free tier has bandwidth limits.
Pricing:
- Free: Personal tier, limited printers
- Paid: Multiple tiers for more printers and more bandwidth, modest monthly fees
Platforms: Android, iOS, Web
Download: Google Play · App Store
Bottom line: Pick Polar Cloud when remote access from outside the home network matters and the cloud-relay model is acceptable.
6. Spagheti — best lightweight open-source option
Spagheti is a minimal, open-source Moonraker client for people who don’t want a polished commercial app. Native Klipper support, multi-printer dashboard, webcam feed, and the basics — no in-app upsell.
Where it falls short: No push notifications without external setup. UI is functional rather than polished. Smaller community than Mobileraker.
Pricing:
- Free / Open source
- Paid: None
Platforms: Android
Download: F-Droid (sideloadable on Android)
Bottom line: Pick Spagheti when you want the lightest possible open-source companion and you’ll set up notifications separately.
7. Repetier-Server App — best for Repetier-Server hosts
Repetier-Server App is the companion for Repetier-Server users. If your print farm runs on Repetier-Server (which can manage Klipper printers too), this app gives a unified view of every printer the server manages, with thumbnails, temperature graphs, and remote print start.
Where it falls short: Klipper support depends on Repetier-Server’s bridge rather than direct Moonraker. UI feels dated compared to OctoApp and Mobileraker.
Pricing:
- Free: Companion to Repetier-Server (the server itself has free and paid tiers)
- Paid: None on the app; Repetier-Server Pro is a one-time fee
Platforms: Android, iOS
Download: Google Play · App Store
Bottom line: Pick Repetier-Server App when your print farm already runs on Repetier-Server.
How to pick the right one
- For mixed OctoPrint and Klipper printers: OctoApp
- For a free Klipper-first app: Mobileraker
- For mature OctoPrint with Klipper bridge: Printoid
- For AI failure detection: Obico
- For cloud-managed remote access: Polar Cloud
- For a minimal open-source option: Spagheti
- For Repetier-Server farms: Repetier-Server App
Most users land on either OctoApp (if they pay) or Mobileraker (if they want free). Both cover the daily workflow. Obico is a sensible addition on top, since it’s the only one that actively prevents failed prints rather than just reporting on them.
FAQ
Does Mainsail have an Android app?
No native Android app. Mainsail is a web interface, and you reach it through the phone’s browser. Mobileraker and OctoApp are the recommended native Android companions for Klipper printers running Mainsail.
Can I control Klipper from my phone?
Yes, through Moonraker. Mobileraker, OctoApp, Obico, Polar Cloud, and Spagheti all talk to Moonraker directly. The browser-based Mainsail and Fluidd UIs also work on mobile browsers if you’d rather skip a native app.
Are Klipper companion apps free?
Mobileraker, Spagheti, and OctoApp’s basic tier are free. Premium tiers on OctoApp and Printoid unlock multi-printer and advanced features for a modest monthly or one-time fee. Polar Cloud and Obico use freemium models where the cloud tier is paid.
Which Klipper app has the best webcam streaming?
OctoApp’s webcam handling is the most reliable in this comparison — survives screen locks, handles multiple feeds per printer, and works on aggressive battery-management Androids. Mobileraker is close behind. The others can stream but drop more often during Wi-Fi handoffs.
Do I need a Pi to run Klipper companion apps?
Yes for the Klipper host (Pi, Pi 4, Pi 5, or another Linux SBC running Klipper plus Moonraker). The Android companion apps talk to that host over the network. The phone itself doesn’t run Klipper.
