# Joule: Sous Vide by ChefSteps — user reviews > 187 indexed App Store user reviews of Joule by ChefSteps Inc., rated 2.56/5 from 732 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/joule-sous-vide-by-chefsteps/id970115018/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/joule-sous-vide-by-chefsteps/id970115018.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 166 · 4★ 67 · 3★ 78 · 2★ 123 · 1★ 298 ## Newest reviews (19 of 187) ### 3/5 — Super cumbersome *2025-11-30, version 2.77.3* I know how to sous vide. I just want to set the temp and time. Everyone know how to sous vide - google and AI exist. With this I have to answer 99999 questions before I’m forced to make a choice which may not be exactly what I want. Not to mention give my email, sign in, etc. if it was simple I’d give five stars. But the hassle, oooof. ### 2/5 — Miserable app *2025-11-23, version 2.77.3* Did the app work? Yes, that’s why it doesn’t have 1 star. But it was a maze of pop up adds, banners alerts and all kinda of nonsense just to turn on and use my sous vide. They literally forced me to pick a recipe to cook at first, so I “cooked” burgers. Eventually I fought through the junk and was able to set the temp on my machine but that really shouldn’t have taken 5-10 minutes after pairing ### 2/5 — This is the old app. Get Breville+ *2025-08-05, version 2.75.0* Update: the company released a new app under a different name, abandoning development of this joule app. The improved software lives under the name Breville+. Get that app instead. — The hardware is simple and effective. My only complaint is that it wasn’t designed with any temp display or adjustment buttons, so is entirely dependent on being programmed via the app, joule, which is utterly abysmal. It doesn’t find and reconnect to the hardware after app switching or going too far away for bluetooth. You have to kill and restart the app to get it to reconnect/sync to get the current status or make changes to temp/time. There’s virtually no software bug maintenance / support going on; as of this writing the app hasn’t been updated in over TWO YEARS. ### 2/5 — Can’t stay connected consistently *2025-08-01, version 2.75.0* Loses connection all of the time, have to repeatedly kill app and try again , maybe 1 in 5 times it works. Frustrating , wish the software would be improved ### 1/5 — So desperately needs an update *2025-05-30, version 2.75.0* Battle royal to get it started every time. Keeps conning out. Finally decides to work and maintains temp fine but then won’t stop at the end. Just unplug. Good tool but please stop ignoring your purchasers! ### 4/5 — Terrible app. Apparently an untested app. *2025-05-02, version 2.75.0* I do not recommend this product based on the functional inconsistency of the app. if you appreciate poor performance and frustration, this device is for you. UPDATE: With the new updated app performance has improved dramatically. ### 1/5 — App is not very good *2025-04-26, version 2.75.0* Works half the time. Don’t spend any money on this. It’s not a very good product ### 1/5 — App is PAINFUL to use *2025-04-15, version 2.75.0* Ok, so I haven’t updated my joule in a while so maybe I’m partially responsible but wow. I had to restart the app about 6 times to actually get to a point where it informs me I need an update. No big deal. Update stalls. Restart the app again. Update is working. Tried to set the temp, app froze up, another restart. I finally get the temp set, water gets up to temp, tried to set a timer…. Would not happen. Tried to restart the app a few more times. Sous vide turns off at one point. Get it back on, a few more restarts to ensure it’s still cooking. tried to set a timer one more time and failed. I’ll just use the phone timer but jfc i hardly want to cook now. Fix this garbage app ### 2/5 — Nothing but frustration lately *2025-04-14, version 2.75.0* We used to love using our Joule Sous Vide but lately it’s so frustrating to get connected to the device. I’ve uninstalled the app and reinstalled and I still have to kill the app every time I want to do the next step. I end up killing the app like 5 times just to start the device and to stop it. I’m about ready to switch to another brand. 😖 ### 1/5 — Constant issues connecting *2025-04-05, version 2.75.0* Not sure what you have done, used to be a great product, now endless challenges trying to connect. ### 2/5 — Log in *2025-04-05, version 2.75.0* Please please remove requirement to log in. ### 1/5 — The absolute worst app *2025-04-02, version 2.75.0* I would rate negative if possible. The actual Joule works well. The app however is infuriating. I have insane internet and newest iPhone. Connecting takes forever... Then connection lost...then connected...I frankly don't understand how someone was paid to create this (cr)app. ### 2/5 — Terrible app. Apparently an untested app. *2025-04-01, version 2.75.0* I do not recommend this product based on the functional inconsistency of the app. if you appreciate poor performance and frustration, this device is for you. ### 1/5 — Avoid *2025-03-31, version 2.75.0* App is absolute trash, avoid at all costs ### 1/5 — Makes sous vide fussy *2025-03-02, version 2.75.0* The actual joule device is fantastic once it’s up and running. This app? Not so much. It turns something so wonderfully simple (sous vide) into a fussy, annoying experience. Sous vide is great because it’s so flexible and fool proof. This app, in contrast, is a stickler about cook timers and letting the water come up to temp and picking pre-made recipes. It yells at you if you dare unplug it without stopping using the app. Starting the device takes multiple app restarts and plugging and unplugging to make it all happy. Why the app cares so much about babying the device is beyond me, so annoying. Sous vide should be as easy as preparing the water/pot, putting in the device, setting the temp, and hitting go. The app is also very buggy and often stops communicating with the device (for example, often needs a full restart to stop the device or to reconnect to the device when brought back into the foreground, both issues that have existed for years at this point). Maybe all the fussiness is good for your first sous vide but once you get the hang of it you’ll wonder why they are overcomplicating something so beautifully simple. ### 3/5 — Makes sous vide fussy *2025-02-26, version 2.75.0* The actual joule device is fantastic. This app? Not so much. It turns something so wonderfully simple (sous vide) into a fussy, annoying experience. Sous vide is great because it’s so flexible and fool proof. This app, in contrast, is a stickler about cook timers and letting the water come up to temp and picking pre-made recipes. Sous vide should be as easy as preparing the water/pot, putting in the device, setting the temp, and hitting go. The app is also very buggy and often stops communicating with the device (for example, often needs a full restart to stop the device). Maybe all the fussiness is good for your first sous vide but once you get the hang of it you’ll wonder why they are overcomplicating something so beautifully simple ### 1/5 — The app does not work anymore *2025-02-24, version 2.75.0* Last year I used this app completely fine and now it won’t work outside of turning the temperature on. Terrible terrible app ### 2/5 — Connectivity issues *2025-02-18, version 2.75.0* When I bought my Joule and installed the app 4 years ago, it worked very well. Quickly and consistently connected to my device for remote operation. I could put my dinner in an ice bath, then start the cooking remotely from work! Excellent. Now, I don’t dare. It frequently won’t connect or connects, but fails to control my device. I’ve tried a system of my Joule, reconnecting to the Wi-Fi, reinstalling the app - no avail. The hardware itself still works very well, very well in fact, but I’m afraid the software is to blame. The last update says “We’re turning silver!” I’d agree and add that it probably needs to be considering Hospice at this point. ### 1/5 — Really hard to connect to sous vide *2025-02-16, version 2.75.0* I regret buying the Joule Sous Vide. This app is terrible, and it's the only way to control the sous vide device. The hardware is fantastic, but if most of the time the device won't connect, it's a brick in a pot. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Don’t delete *2026-04-02, version 2.77.4* Your deleting the only app my iPad works with because it’s old. Now what do I do????? ### 1/5 — Barely functional. Ripped off. *2026-01-20, version 2.77.3* For such an expensive piece of equipment, this is unacceptable. Changing the temperature is painful. Connecting is painful. The machine disconnects EVERY time you navigate away from the app. I wish I had bought a simpler machine. ### 1/5 — Bad app with no fixes *2025-11-21, version 2.77.3* For months at least people have been saying what a travesty this app is and the only thing that’s come from it are queue card bland apologies with no weight or meaning to them ### 1/5 — App Shutdown 2026? *2025-11-01, version 2.77.2* If the App got shutdown, and the new App isn’t available in europe - How do i use my two Joules? ### 1/5 — This app destroys a perfectly good appliance *2025-10-19, version 2.75.0* The joule used to work. Now this app requires you to restart and rename and reset and reinstall for 45 minutes to use your appliance. It’s also frustrating reading these developer responses I wish I had never bought this ### 1/5 — Doesn’t work *2025-08-11, version 2.75.0* Says that I already have an account, when I tried to recover, says that the email doesn’t exist. ### 1/5 — Waste of money *2025-07-27, version 2.75.0* Broken system. Too finicky. ### 1/5 — Trash app *2025-07-15, version 2.75.0* App is garbage. Spend half your time opening and closing it. ### 1/5 — Terrible App *2025-07-09, version 2.75.0* I love sous vide cooking but this app really temps me to toss this appliance and get a non-app dependent machine. While I have no problem initially connecting, setting the time and turning off the machine after cooking is complete is awful. I have to code and restart the app multiple times, it gives multiple errors (all the while saying it’s successfully connected to the appliance) and takes at least 5 minutes of back and forth to just turn off. Typically I get annoyed and just unplug the unit, however if I do that, then I get and ERROR the next time I open the app to use it. It would be great if it worked, but it’s been two years and I don’t see that in the future. ### 1/5 — Glitchy *2025-06-18, version 2.75.0* The app is SO glitchy. Won’t connect most of the time and can’t start the timer. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Don’t delete *2025-12-03, version 2.77.3* Your deleting the only app my iPad works with because it’s old. Now what do I do????? ### 5/5 — My first one *2024-10-12, version 2.75.0* I didn’t see any reheating instructions. Where would I look for that feature? I live alone and often times cook for 2 or 3 persons so i have leftovers. ### 5/5 — No problems here! Love my magic wand! *2024-05-24, version 2.75.0* I’ve been using this app with Joule sous vide wand for over four years now. Have had no major issues and only one or two temporary issues connecting that have resolved themselves. ### 5/5 — Has always worked like a charm for me *2023-05-04, version 2.75.0* I don’t usually write reviews but I was surprised to see how many negative reviews I was reading because I use my joule both for commercial bar and home kitchen use and have had 0 problems the same people complaining about having to make a account have multiple streaming accounts services but yet when it comes to making a account that can actually benefit you’re life you like to complain I love my joule Iv used the salmon , bok Choy , paella, eggs Benedict , and lots more flawlessly plus many different rapid infusions for the bar 10/10 idk what anyone’s complaining about the app and WiFi connection have always worked for me maybe I just know what I’m doing ### 5/5 — Nice app, needs an Apple Watch complication *2022-01-03, version 2.73.9* This app works well. I like the step by step vids. Would love to have an Apple Watch complication that shows the timer countdown. Or have it appear as a panel within the Siri Watch face :) ### 5/5 — Great app *2021-12-27, version 2.73.9* Not sure what all the negative reviews are about. This app is fantastic, I hope the devs and product mgr are proud. The app connects very quickly to my phone, the app is simple to use and has lots of examples to further help and guide. I do wish I could monitor/control from my iWatch, and I wish I could program custom recipes, but other than that, I’m very happy. Good job! ### 5/5 — Joule is a miracle worker *2021-01-22, version 2.73.9* The device helps toke make food such as steak and eggs perfectly done. Fish turns out silky smooth and lamb is just awesome. Now all the description of the device is critical as the device has no built in controls. You NEED a separate device running an app for this to work. The app does what it needs to. It controls the device and gives you a timer to use. It also has many recipes and recommendations on how to cook your food and what temps work best. I still rely on various websites for my info, but it is good to have the info in hand. If you have never cooked sous vide, grab one of these. Cost effective with a pretty powerful heating element. When comparing immersion circulatory, check the power level of the heating element as it make a big difference in heating times. ### 5/5 — Version en français *2019-11-13, version 2.71.6* J’adore mon appareil Joule. Va t-il y avoir une version du logiciel en français ? ### 5/5 — The device is great, app needs slight work *2019-06-24, version 2.69.0* The app force closes when it asks me about notifications and i click yes. Because of this, I have no choice but to click no. That’s my only issue with the app. One suggestion to mention, under “cook history” it would be nice to allow the user to put a description of what they cooked. Instead, it defaults to “Manual Cook”. The device has worked great so far. Even when the app force closes because of what I described above, it still continues to work. ### 5/5 — Sous-vide cooking is a must! *2019-05-18, version 2.69.0* This app is very easy to use and very well documented. I would like to get the possibility to leave notes in cooking history such I can remember recipe corrective I would like to make next time the meal is cooked. --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-09-12.*