Nucleus Smart vs AudioKey 3
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Control sound processor settings
- Activate wireless streaming
- Adjust volume, treble, bass, sensitivity
- Locate lost sound processor
- View processor status and battery
- Track usage statistics
Read full descriptionHide 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.
AudioKey 3
This app serves as a remote control for compatible MED-EL audio processors, allowing users to customize settings and access support materials. Caregivers can also utilize its features to assist others, and it includes a function to locate misplaced devices.
- Remote control for audio processors
- Customize personal settings
- Caregiver support mode
- Find My Processor functionality
- Check usage statistics
- Access support materials
- Configure streaming devices
Read full descriptionHide full description
The AudioKey 3 mobile app from MED-EL can be used as a remote control for supported MED-EL audio processors which are SONNET (EAS), SONNET 2 (EAS), SONNET 3 (EAS), and RONDO 3. Additionally, AudioKey 3 lets you customize personal settings, such as the names of programs on the audio processors. AudioKey 3 can be used by caregivers to support other users, such as young children. You can use the Find My Processor functionality to help locate lost or misplaced audio processors. AudioKey 3 also lets you check the usage statistics of the connected audio processors and quickly access helpful support material from MED-EL. If you own a MED-EL streaming device, you can configure it with AudioKey 3.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is monetization model: AudioKey 3 at free against Nucleus Smart's free with in-app purchases. AudioKey 3 also leads on iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.0). Nucleus Smart's advantage is ratings volume (709 vs 15) and review sentiment (28% vs 19%). On price, rating, update cadence and ads 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 3.0 for Nucleus Smart against 2.9 for AudioKey 3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Nucleus Smart has 709 ratings behind it against 15, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 28% of Nucleus Smart's written reviews are positive against 19% of AudioKey 3's.
Nucleus Smart ships an update every 2 months, AudioKey 3 every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 18, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Nucleus Smart | AudioKey 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.0 (709 ratings) — better | 2.9 (15 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 28.0% of reviews — better | 18.8% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 709 — better | 15 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months — better | Every 4 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | 15.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 226 MB | 245 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | Cochlear Ltd | MED-EL |
Customer experience
Nucleus Smart
AudioKey 3
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
AudioKey 3
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Nucleus Smart
No in-app purchases
AudioKey 3
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Nucleus Smart free?
Is AudioKey 3 free?
Which has better reviews, Nucleus Smart or AudioKey 3?
Do Nucleus Smart or AudioKey 3 have ads?
Which is updated more often, Nucleus Smart or AudioKey 3?
Other comparisons















