An apparatus (100) for controlling a linear compressor (200) comprises: a driver (10) that includes a motor and drives the linear compressor (200) based on a control signal; a current detector (20) that detects a motor current of the linear compressor (200); a voltage detector (30) that detects a motor voltage of the linear compressor (200); and a controller (40) that generates the control signal, based on the motor current and the motor voltage. The controller (40) applies a test signal to the linear compressor (200) and identifies the kind of motor based on the motor current and the motor voltage measured according to the test signal. The test signal is one of a direct current voltage and a high frequency voltage, wherein as the test signal is applied, each one of the motor current and the motor voltage is differently output in units of two or more time sections (T1, T2, T3, T4) . The corresponding method of controlling a linear compressor is also disclosed.