Comparison

Remote for VLC vs Hue Essentials

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

Head to head
About

Remote for VLC

Features
Read full description

Remote for VLC provides full-featured fast and reliable control of the VLC application for MacOS. Everyone in the family can have one on their iPhone or iPad. Remote for VLC uses your wireless network and doesn't suffer the drawbacks of infra-red controllers. Remote for VLC can be used from any room in your house, or the convenience of your arm chair. The large buttons are easy to find on the table, and you can adjust the button sensitivity to avoid accidental taps as you fumble for your device in between the beer and peanuts. A single tap gets you commonly used actions. Swipe buttons up, down, left or right for less common operations. The help screen explains the functionality of each button in full. Features include: • Play, pause • Skip forward and backwards by a custom durations, or frame at a time • Fast forward and rewind (2 custom speeds, including slow motion) • Shuffle forwards or backwards • Select next and previous videos (or audio), or choose from your playlist or Media Library • Select videos to play from anywhere on your computer, including external drives • Show video and audio information • Open, close and maximize the playback window • Volume up, down and mute operations • Sleep your computer • Optional password protection, to stop the kids taking over. Free companion software needs to be installed onto the MacOS computer running the VLC software. The companion software is 'JazzRemoteServer', and can be downloaded from www.jazzmedia.com.au/vlc/. Requires Mac OS-X version 10.9 or later, VLC version 2.2.4 or later (will likely work on earlier versions). Requires your iOS device to be on the same WiFi network as the computer running the VLC software. This project is not affiliated with the VideoLAN community. ©2017-2018 Jazz Media Pty Ltd.

About

Hue Essentials

Unlock the full potential of your smart lighting system. Create custom scenes, dynamic effects, and automate your lights with schedules and triggers. Control multiple smart home bridges and devices seamlessly for a personalized ambiance.

Highlights
  • Custom scenes and effects
  • Music and entertainment sync
  • Sunrise/sunset automation
  • Multi-bridge control
  • Device discovery and setup
  • Button and sensor automation
  • Away from home control
Features
Read full description

Imagine unlimited possibilities in your smart home. Set scenes and fast effects to your mood. Experience Dance Sensation in your entertainment area with Philips Hue Entertainment. Feel more in control with schedules and automation from sunrise to sunset. Control multiple bridges simultaneously without switching between them. Supported devices • Philips Hue bridge • Philips Hue Bluetooth lights • deCONZ (ConBee) • diyHue • LIFX Scenes & effects Create the perfect ambiance from your photos or the included photo library. Experience special animations like lava, fireplace, fireworks, or lightning. Wake up at sunrise and go to sleep at sunset with fading lights. Get into the party on the beats of your music. Sync your lights for a night of disco with strobe effects (updates 25 times/sec). Quick access Create rooms and groups to organize your lights. You can even put a light in several groups. Smart lights & controls The unique ‘Touchlink’ search allows you to find new (3rd party, Zigbee) lights. Use included wizards for easy setup of your devices. You can set scenes, actions, or even multiple scenes on a button to make your switch a real investment. Experience the right ambiance during different times of your day with your motion sensor. All of your creations are stored on the bridge. Easy for you and your family. Advanced Automation allows you to have greater control of your smart home. Turn on your lights when the door opens. Adjust your ventilation when the humidity gets too high. Open or close blinds and curtains based on temperature or sunshine. Make it look like you are at home using 'Away from Home' (out of home control). Communicate directly with your Hue bridge using the API debugger. View technical details of your Hue bridge and update its resources like lights and sensors. You want it all? Fast performance with ad-free experience. Purchase the premium version to unlock full content.

Screenshots

Remote for VLC4 screens
Hue Essentials4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Hue Essentials at Free against Remote for VLC's $3.99. Hue Essentials also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 25 months) and device support (5 vs 2). Remote for VLC's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 8). On 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Hue Essentials is free to download; Remote for VLC costs $3.99 up front. Hue Essentials sells 8 one-off in-app purchases. Remote for VLC asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Remote for VLC ships an update every 25 months, Hue Essentials every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Remote for VLC versus Hue Essentials: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRemote for VLCHue Essentials
Price$3.99Free — better
Rating—4.2 (143 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—37.8% of reviews
Number of ratings—143 — better
Update frequencyEvery 25 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
Monetization—Freemium
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS18.615.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size3 MB271 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJazz Media Pty LtdThomas Vos

Bugs and requests

Remote for VLC

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Hue Essentials

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Fade feature not working
  • Saving automations not working
  • Crashes when checking 'About' section
  • Widgets and Apple Watch app issues

Requested features

4 requests
  • Repeat/loop function for automations
  • Strobing/flashing effects
  • Dark mode
  • Alexa integration

In-app purchases

None

Remote for VLC

No in-app purchases

8 purchases

Hue Essentials

One-time8
  • Effects: Christmas$0.99
  • Effects: Universe$0.99
  • Effects: Wonders of nature$0.99
Show 5 more
  • Effects: Romantic$0.99
  • Effects: Floral fantasy$0.99
  • Effects: Spooky$0.99
  • Multiple bridges$4.99
  • Premium$7.99

Questions

Is Remote for VLC free?
Remote for VLC costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Hue Essentials free?
Hue Essentials is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Remote for VLC or Hue Essentials have ads?
Neither Remote for VLC nor Hue Essentials shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Remote for VLC or Hue Essentials?
Remote for VLC ships an update every 25 months, and Hue Essentials every 2 weeks. Most recently, Remote for VLC was updated on October 29, 2026 and Hue Essentials on November 3, 2026.

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