Comparison

eFire vs Sub

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

Head to head
About

eFire

Control your Bluetooth-enabled fireplace directly from your smartphone. Adjust flame height, blower speed, and LED lighting with an intuitive interface. Create custom ambiance with millions of colors or set pre-programmed moods.

Highlights
  • Bluetooth fireplace control
  • Adjust flame height
  • Control blower speed
  • Manage multicolor LED lights
  • Customizable LED color wheel
  • Set ambiance with Emberbed mode
  • 24hr Auto OFF timer
Features
Read full description

Napoleon’s eFIRE app will revolutionize the way you use your fireplace. The first fireplace to be controlled by Bluetooth, using an app on your smartphone. As soon as you launch the app, it’s startlingly easy to use. The intuitive interface knows just what you want, and with easy toggle sliders you can control everything on your fireplace from the flame height, blower to LED lights. Imagine having total control of a room’s ambiance with just a couple of gestures. Full mastery of your ember bed allows you to create every imaginable color, selecting the one that fits the mood, or the décor with ease, the simple color wheel tool swiftly scrolls through the colors. Or set the mood with one touch. Ember Bed Mode instantly creates ambiance with the look of a banked fire, softly glowing. Get the atmosphere without the heat, you can even cycle through, and set the color without the fire even being on. Additionally the Napoleon’s eFIRE app has all of the same functions as a traditional fireplace remote; by controlling ON/OFF, flame height and blower speed. Now you can personalize the experience with your smartphone by controlling the following options - Flame height - Blower speed (if equipped) - 24hr Auto OFF timer - LED Multi color Lights providing over 16,000,000 different colors - LED color wheel to pick any color - LED cycle mode to cycle between the most vibrant Red, green and blue colors - LED Emberbed mode which best represents a real burning Ember bed - Quick access to multiple fireplaces equipped with Napoleon Bluetooth - Accent Night Light control - Split flow valve control - Auxiliary Contact control - Continuous pilot control 7 Day on demand pilot feature that will automatically turn off the main burner and keep the pilot active if there is no activity from the controller for 24hrs. The pilot will remain active for 7 days then turn off if there is no activity from the user or no call for heat. This new feature will help save fuel consumption and save on operational costs. The New Auxiliary Contact Control feature on the app lets the user know if the Fireplace is being controlled by another device. For safety reasons the fireplace can only be controlled by 1 device at a time and the remote that comes with the fireplace will have priority over the Bluetooth control.

About

Sub

This app enhances your kitchen experience by guiding you through recipes from websites and a curated collection. It allows remote control and monitoring of Sub-Zero refrigeration, Cove dishwashing, and Wolf appliances, ensuring optimal performance and convenience.

Highlights
  • Guided cooking from online recipes
  • Chef-tested recipes optimized for Wolf appliances
  • Remote dishwasher control and monitoring
  • Refrigerator settings and alerts
  • Filter recipes by cooking mode
  • Bookmark and share recipes
Features
Read full description

Elevate your kitchen experience with the Sub-Zero Group Owner’s App. Connect your Wi-Fi-enabled appliances and enjoy greater control, personalized cooking, and now, integrated wine inventory management. • Build and manage your wine collection • Scan bottles to quickly add wines to your inventory • Track where each bottle is stored across locations • Organize your collection with filters, groups, and tags • View inventory history as wines are enjoyed over time • Enjoy a guided cooking experience with recipes tailored to your appliances • Set timers and view oven status directly from recipe steps • Monitor and control your appliances from anywhere • Receive notifications for appliance status, maintenance, and more The app also gives you powerful control over your Sub-Zero refrigeration and Cove dishwashing appliances. Start your dishwasher remotely, monitor cycles, and manage supplies Wine Inventory transforms a traditionally manual task into a simple, intuitive experience. Manage your collection, understand where your wines are stored, and stay connected to your kitchen in one place. Download now and get more from every Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove appliance.

Screenshots

eFire4 screens
Sub4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Sub at 4.4 against eFire's 1.7. Sub also leads on update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 9 months) and ratings volume (778 vs 62). eFire's advantage is monetization model (free vs ad-supported) and iOS requirement (8.0 vs 15.5). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Sub holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 1.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Sub has 778 ratings behind it against 62, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 6% of eFire's written reviews are positive against 15% of Sub's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

eFire ships an update every 9 months, Sub every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on August 6, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
eFire versus Sub: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParametereFireSub
PriceFreeFree
Rating1.7 (62 ratings)4.4 (778 ratings) — better
Positive reviews6.1% of reviews15.1% of reviews — better
Number of ratings62778 — better
Update frequencyEvery 9 monthsEvery 5 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree — betterAd-supported
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS8.0 — better15.5
Further details — not scored
Size31 MB69 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperWOLF STEEL USA INCSub-Zero and Wolf

Customer experience

eFire

All ratings62 ratings
Positive11.3%
Neutral8.1%
Negative80.6%
Written reviews66 reviews
Positive6.1%
Neutral6.1%
Negative87.9%

Sub

All ratings778 ratings
Positive85.1%
Neutral3.0%
Negative12.0%
Written reviews172 reviews
Positive15.1%
Neutral8.7%
Negative76.2%

User reviews

eFire

From 62 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Handy app when working
  • 👍 User-friendly once figured out
  • 👍 Seamless device switching
  • 👍 Crazy cool operation

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent connection issues
  • 🐛 App doesn't connect
  • 🐛 Bluetooth fails
  • 🐛 Functionality is useless
  • 🐛 Glitchy and unreliable

Sub

From 778 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Responsive and intuitive app
  • 👍 Helpful notifications and alerts
  • 🔒 Secure connection to appliances

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent connection issues and disconnects
  • 🔍 Lack of actual temperature monitoring
  • 🤔 Confusing setup and pairing process
  • 🔍 Missing key features like remote start

Bugs and requests

eFire

Reported bugs

117 issues
  • First remotes didn't work
  • Cannot sign on when wife has app open
  • No login
  • Backlights are dim
  • Forgot password, no reset option
Show 112 more
  • Cannot control temperature
  • Does not connect via Bluetooth
  • Fireplace password and settings revert to factory default
  • App is glitchy
  • Functionality is useless
  • Doesn't control fireplace more than 80% of the time
  • No obvious solution to forgotten password
  • Doesn't connect easily
  • Doesn't always work
  • Never able to find and connect
  • Factory remote locks out app
  • Requires dealer technician service call to reset
  • Cannot switch between phone and remote without dealer
  • Never worked
  • Doesn't see fireplace
  • Can't use some settings
  • New update never released
  • App is useless
  • Doesn't control anything
  • Found fireplace, put in password, nothing happens
  • Deleted and reloaded, same result
  • Incredibly challenging to pair
  • Won't let more than one user use app at a time
  • Fireplace will not find phone
  • No way to re-sync
  • Can't use light functionality
  • App does not work
  • Promoted as great feature, doesn't work
  • App loads improperly
  • Offers no value to customers
  • Should be pulled from App Store
  • Will not connect
  • Blank connect screen
  • Limited help on website
  • Works once, then doesn't work again
  • Remove and install again, doesn't work
  • Repeat cycle
  • Worked once, then doesn't work
  • Remote eats batteries and is quirky
  • Spouse cannot operate remote without problems
  • Cannot use multicolor LEDs if fireplace turned on with app
  • Remote is in use locks app control
  • Overdeveloped in meaningless ways
  • Underdeveloped in important places
  • Doesn't locate fireplace
  • Technology isn't next level
  • Nobody cared to respond or help
  • Do not enable password
  • Won't recognize password
  • No reset option or ability to turn off password
  • Cannot adjust temperature
  • App doesn't work
  • Keeps asking to confirm password (0000) and won't execute
  • No way to reset password
  • Dealer must offer support
  • One person turns on with phone, another can't turn off
  • Features don't work on app like remote
  • No home automation options
  • Bluetooth shows connected, app can't find fireplace
  • Very bad app
  • Broken, poorly made, frustrating
  • Poorly written prompts
  • Buttons do nothing
  • No feedback if buttons work
  • Terrible UX
  • Screen jumping
  • Amateurish app
  • Can't reconnect to turn off
  • Worked one time, hasn't worked since
  • Controls do nothing 90% of the time
  • Rarely works for 10 minutes
  • Fireplace is found and connected, but doesn't act on commands
  • Can't get past login screen
  • Hitting button does nothing
  • No way to reset PW
  • App freezes after password
  • Removed and reinstalled, same problem
  • Pulled power to fireplace, tried to reconnect, same problem
  • Installers not familiar with app
  • Can't get fireplace to connect
  • Rarely finds fireplace
  • Says connected, but can't control
  • Can only turn fireplace on or off
  • Cannot change color or dim nightlight if controlled by remote
  • App cannot control all supposed features
  • App crashed
  • Timer button closes app
  • None of the functions did anything
  • Turned off power with remote, then app worked
  • Cannot use both at the same time
  • Rarely connects
  • Some controls don't work when connected
  • Changed password, login incorrect
  • Doesn't give option to reset password
  • Bluetooth didn't see anything
  • Unplugged Bluetooth in fireplace, then connected
  • Phone app by itself doesn't work
  • Have to fiddle with remote and app for lights
  • LED lights stop working with smart flame
  • No comparable smart flame choice with phone
  • Lights aren't coming on with app
  • Won't recognize factory password
  • App goes to a blank list
  • Only one Bluetooth device can be connected
  • Remote won't work if another Bluetooth device is paired
  • App can't find fireplace
  • Lazy employees at sale locations
  • Can't choose fireplace
  • Igniting from app, remote doesn't work
  • Turning off fire from app, can't keep blower on
  • App starts, asks to choose fireplace from blank screen
  • Doesn't go anywhere from there

Requested features

11 requests
  • Invest in better app experience
  • UI update needed
  • Connectivity with Google/Alexa
  • Nest level controls for temperature
  • Temperature setting by time of day/day of week
Show 6 more
  • HomeKit integration
  • Allow multiple Bluetooth devices
  • Improve technology for expensive units
  • Allow remote and app to work simultaneously
  • Fix bugs for blower/flame control
  • Add timer functionality

Sub

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • App crashes after recent updates
  • Unable to log in or register account
  • Appliances disappear from the app
  • Firmware update failures brick appliances

Requested features

3 requests
  • Add support for Celsius temperature units
  • Provide real-time temperature and energy consumption data
  • Integrate with smart home platforms like Apple HomeKit

In-app purchases

None

eFire

No in-app purchases

None

Sub

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is eFire free?
eFire is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Sub free?
Sub is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, eFire or Sub?
Sub is rated higher. eFire averages 1.7 out of 5 from 62 ratings, while Sub averages 4.4 from 778 ratings.
Do eFire or Sub have ads?
Neither eFire nor Sub shows ads.
Which is updated more often, eFire or Sub?
eFire ships an update every 9 months, and Sub every 5 weeks. Most recently, eFire was updated on August 6, 2026 and Sub on September 20, 2026.

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