Comparison

Nucleus Smart vs AB Remote

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

Head to head
About

Nucleus Smart

This app allows users to control their hearing sound processor directly from a mobile device. Adjust volume, treble, bass, and sensitivity settings, and stream audio wirelessly. It also helps locate lost devices and monitor battery levels and usage statistics.

Highlights
  • Control sound processor settings
  • Activate wireless streaming
  • Adjust volume, treble, bass, sensitivity
  • Locate lost sound processor
  • View processor status and battery
  • Track usage statistics
Features
Read full description

As you move through your day you may be exposed to challenging noise environments. In these everyday moments, actively managing your device settings can help you to hear better. Whether you need to adjust your volume, change program or switch to direct streaming of sound, the Nucleus® Smart App can help you do it quickly, easily and discreetly. We understand you need your sound processor to be working well at all times, so you can hear your best and go about your daily activities. That’s why the Nucleus Smart App offers convenient ways to check the status of your battery, microphones and sound processor, keep track of your hearing and even find a lost processor. With the Nucleus Smart App, you can: - Change programs on your sound processor and activate wireless streaming - Adjust the volume, treble/bass and sensitivity settings (if enabled by your healthcare professional) on your sound processor - Adjust the volume of your Cochlear® True Wireless™ devices - Locate your lost sound processor - View your sound processor status and battery level - Track time spent in speech and the number of coil offs Note: To access the complete functionality of the Nucleus Smart App you will need a Cochlear Account, or you can try the app in Demo Mode. To use the Nucleus Smart App, you first need to pair your Nucleus Sound Processor with a compatible mobile device. See in-app instructions or visit our support page www.nucleussmartapp.com. Compatibility: For information regarding the sound processors, operating systems and devices that are compatible with the Smart Apps and support apps, visit www.cochlear.com/compatibility. Note: Continued use of GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life. The Nucleus Smart App only uses your GPS when it detects your Nucleus Sound Processor has been lost or turned off, and does not constantly track your location. Apple and iPhone are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.

About

AB Remote

Control volume and program settings for specific hearing devices. Access helpful information directly through your smartphone.

Highlights
  • Volume control
  • Program changes
  • Access help information
  • Direct connectivity
  • Sound processor control
Read full description

The AB Remote is a smartphone app that is designed to provide user control over volume and program changes as well as provide access to help information. The AB Remote app provides direct connectivity and control of Advanced Bionics Naída CI M and Sky CI M sound processors and Phonak Naída Link M and Sky Link M hearing instruments.

Screenshots

Nucleus Smart4 screens
AB Remote3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Nucleus Smart at every 2 months against AB Remote's every 29 months. Nucleus Smart also leads on review sentiment (27% vs 13%) and ratings volume (736 vs 74). AB Remote's advantage is monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 18.0). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases 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

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 3.0 for Nucleus Smart against 3.0 for AB Remote. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Nucleus Smart has 736 ratings behind it against 74, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 27% of Nucleus Smart's written reviews are positive against 13% of AB Remote's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Nucleus Smart ships an update every 2 months, AB Remote every 29 months. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Nucleus Smart versus AB Remote: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNucleus SmartAB Remote
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.0 (736 ratings)3.0 (74 ratings) — better
Positive reviews26.9% of reviews — better12.8% of reviews
Number of ratings736 — better74
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 29 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, Apple WatchiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS18.012.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size225 MB44 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperCochlear LimitedAdvanced Bionics, LLC

Customer experience

Nucleus Smart

All ratings736 ratings
Positive41.6%
Neutral16.2%
Negative42.3%
Written reviews368 reviews
Positive26.9%
Neutral20.4%
Negative52.7%

AB Remote

All ratings74 ratings
Positive39.2%
Neutral14.9%
Negative45.9%
Written reviews47 reviews
Positive12.8%
Neutral23.4%
Negative63.8%

User reviews

Nucleus Smart

From 736 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Easy to use
  • 👍 Convenient Bluetooth connectivity
  • 🎧 Excellent audio streaming
  • 💡 Useful features like 'Find My Processor'

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent connectivity issues
  • 🔁 Unstable app performance after updates
  • 🔋 Inaccurate battery level reporting
  • 🤔 Limited functionality compared to expectations

AB Remote

From 74 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Helpful for controlling sound
  • 👍 Gets the job done
  • 👍 Useful for watching videos/music
  • 👍 Good start

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Connections suck
  • 🐛 UI/UX is awful
  • 🐛 App is terrible
  • 🐛 Incredibly stupid battery display
  • 🐛 Worst app ever

Bugs and requests

Nucleus Smart

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • App freezes or fails to detect processors
  • Streaming audio issues and unexpected disconnections
  • Settings changes not persisting after app restarts

Requested features

4 requests
  • Apple Watch support
  • Ability to save custom settings
  • Improved Bluetooth range and stability
  • Parental controls for shared devices

AB Remote

Reported bugs

36 issues
  • Unpairs from device
  • Doesn't remember settings
  • Bluetooth disconnects intermittently
  • Needs rebooting speech processor
  • Disconnects when one battery dies
Show 31 more
  • Loses connection frequently
  • Needs app reinstallation to reconnect
  • Loses connection weekly
  • Resets volume on calls/streaming
  • Times out and disconnects
  • Aggressively connects to TV streamer
  • No way to mute TV streamer
  • Crackling noises with iPhone 15 Pro
  • Doesn't connect to left cochlear implant
  • Voice alerts stopped playing over Marvel M90 after iOS 17
  • Loses volume setting every time phone is used
  • Split volume changes to match loudest setting
  • Setting changes when opening other apps
  • Normal hearing aid shuts down and won't connect
  • App times out and disconnects
  • Connects to AirPlay every time phone sleeps
  • Impossible to keep connected
  • Doesn't connect to Bluetooth devices
  • Can't get app to connect to processors
  • No pairing
  • App times out and disconnects
  • Volume reverts to default
  • Split volume function useless
  • Volume resets on calls
  • App disconnects from iPhone intermittently
  • Battery percentage display is primitive
  • Cannot adjust bass and treble
  • Cannot do tone equalization
  • Cannot control ambient sound override
  • Cannot pair more than one device
  • Bluetooth connection is hard

Requested features

17 requests
  • Apple Watch app
  • Tone equalization/treble boost
  • Active Noise Cancellation
  • Sensitivity slider
  • Push alerts for disconnects
Show 12 more
  • Lock devices to same program
  • More intuitive UI for program assignment and volume
  • Save volume preferences
  • Fix phone call volume issues
  • Bass and treble controls
  • Ambient sound override control
  • Compatibility with i-phone hearing aid devices
  • Update app 3 times a year
  • Show remaining battery percentage for bilateral implants
  • Fix split volume not maintaining
  • Fix crackling noises on iPhone 15 Pro
  • Fix Voiceover accessibility for volume sliders

In-app purchases

None

Nucleus Smart

No in-app purchases

None

AB Remote

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Nucleus Smart free?
Nucleus Smart is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is AB Remote free?
AB Remote is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Nucleus Smart or AB Remote?
AB Remote is rated higher. Nucleus Smart averages 3.0 out of 5 from 736 ratings, while AB Remote averages 3.0 from 74 ratings.
Do Nucleus Smart or AB Remote have ads?
Neither Nucleus Smart nor AB Remote shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Nucleus Smart or AB Remote?
Nucleus Smart ships an update every 2 months, and AB Remote every 29 months. Most recently, Nucleus Smart was updated on October 15, 2026 and AB Remote on October 5, 2026.

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