Is it worthwhile to purchase the audioguide or does the free mobile app (use on your IPhone) give the same information?
Download the Versailles App before you go and explore it a bit. A WEALTH of information there, but you should first explore it at home or in your hotel to figure out how to navigate. We were there just a few days ago.
The Versailles APP on the smart phone is much more accessible than trying to use RS's Versailles tour while you are at Versailles. More and has better info and better pinpointed. The RS guide is best heard in advance, rather than trying to work your way through it in the Palace.
BTW, my wife and I both found Versailles underwhelming. BIG and MONUMENTAL YES, but the art was unimpressive ... unlike Louis XIV's ego.
Agree with Fred on all points. Even being very underwhelmed with Versailles. We had a nice visit, in April, but a little dissapointed.
My read of the sentence at the bottom of the audioguide page is that they're the same:
Download the free application containing the audio tours and the interactive map.
And the app page says:
The app is available for free and available for smartphones and tablets. It includes the audio tours of the Palace, the Gardens, the Trianon Estate and the Gallery of Coaches. It includes also an interactive map of the Estate. It can be used without an Internet connection.
Since they talk about "the" audio tours, I was reading that as either purchase the audioguide or use the free app.