# IQbuds vs CE Smart

The clearest difference is rating: CE Smart at 4.8 against IQbuds's 3.0. CE Smart also leads on ads (none vs shown) and monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). IQbuds's advantage is review sentiment (50% vs 41%) and iOS requirement (10.0 vs 14.0). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

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

CE Smart holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: CE Smart has 2.3K ratings behind it against 55, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 50% of IQbuds's written reviews are positive against 41% of CE Smart's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

IQbuds ships an update every 3 months, CE Smart every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 18, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | IQbuds | CE Smart |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.0 (55 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/iqbuds/id1152891936/reviews) | **[4.8 (2.3K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ce-smart/id1260847442/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 55 | **2.3K** |
| Positive reviews | **50.0% of reviews** | 40.7% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 months** | Every 4 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 197 MB | 218 MB |
| Requires iOS | **10.0** | 14.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPod, Apple Watch |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Nuheara Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/1152891935) | [Charging Essentials](https://appshunter.io/developer/1260847441) |

## What reviewers say

### IQbuds

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/iqbuds/id1152891936)

Customize your intelligent wireless earbuds to enhance your hearing experience. Personalize sound profiles, control ambient noise, and focus on specific sounds for clearer conversations and immersive audio.

**Highlights:** Ear ID hearing assessment and personalization, Focus on directional sounds, World Blend ambient noise control, SINC for clearer conversations, IQstream TV audio control, Music and call streaming

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🎧 Great sound quality
- 👂 Excellent for hearing loss
- ✨ Innovative features
- 👍 Easy initial setup
- 🔋 Good battery life with case

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 App is buggy and frustrating
- ❌ Connectivity issues
- ⚠️ Poor customer service
- 📉 Battery drains quickly
- 🎧 Earbuds fall out easily

**Reported bugs**

- Double tap and long tap not responding
- App cancels Ear ID process if interrupted
- Ear ID disappears after logging out
- Profile selection not always switching
- Firmware updates cause issues

**Requested features**

- Add customizable EQ settings
- Implement a factory reset function
- Develop an Apple Watch version
- Add information on replacement tips
- Improve video tutorials with clearer audio or text


### CE Smart

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ce-smart/id1260847442)

Control your smart home devices remotely from anywhere. Manage multiple devices, set schedules, and automate your home with voice commands. Easily share control with family members for a connected living experience.

**Highlights:** Remote device control, Simultaneous multi-device management, Voice control integration, Automated scheduling and timers, Device sharing with family, Easy device setup, Custom automations and scenes

**Features:** Apple Watch app

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- ⭐ Efficient and reliable
- 🔌 Easy to set up and use
- 📊 Helpful energy monitoring
- 🔒 Secure and stable connection
- 🗓️ Convenient scheduling and automation

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent connection issues and app crashes
- 🔧 Poor customer support and lack of troubleshooting
- 📱 Compatibility problems with iOS updates
- 🚫 Devices randomly going offline
- 🤔 Confusing setup and configuration

**Reported bugs**

- Widgets not working after iOS updates
- Unable to change device names or locations
- Alexa integration not functioning properly
- Scheduled timers and automations not reliable
- App freezing and becoming unresponsive

**Requested features**

- Export energy usage data
- Improved widget functionality
- Apple Watch app support
- Backup and restore device settings
- Seamless integration with smart home ecosystems


## Frequently asked questions

### Is IQbuds free?

IQbuds is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is CE Smart free?

CE Smart is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, IQbuds or CE Smart?

CE Smart is rated higher. IQbuds averages 3.0 out of 5 from 55 ratings, while CE Smart averages 4.8 from 2.3K ratings.

### Do IQbuds or CE Smart have ads?

IQbuds shows ads; CE Smart does not.

### Which is updated more often, IQbuds or CE Smart?

IQbuds ships an update every 3 months, and CE Smart every 4 months. Most recently, IQbuds was updated on October 15, 2026 and CE Smart on October 18, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*