Comparison

iLightShow for Philips Hue 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

iLightShow for Philips Hue

Sync your music from Spotify or Apple Music with smart lights like Philips Hue, LIFX, and Nanoleaf. Create dynamic visual experiences that match the rhythm and mood of your music for parties, dancing, or relaxation.

Highlights
  • Music integration with Spotify and Apple Music
  • Compatible with Philips Hue, LIFX, and Nanoleaf
  • Precision beat and mood synchronization
  • Customizable light effects and palettes
  • iOS Shortcuts integration
Features
Read full description

Transform your music and lighting into a captivating visual journey with iLightShow, the premier app designed to sync your favorite tracks from Spotify and Apple Music with your Philips Hue, LIFX, and Nanoleaf setups. Create an electrifying atmosphere perfect for dance, parties, or any moment worth illuminating with dynamic light effects and strobes that perfectly match the rhythm of your music. Key Features: - Music Integration: Seamlessly connect with Spotify and Apple Music to bring your playlists to life. iLightShow ensures your Philips Hue, LIFX, and Nanoleaf lights mirror the energy and tempo of your music, setting the stage for unforgettable dance and party moments. - Extensive Light Compatibility: Designed for versatility, iLightShow is compatible with Philips Hue (requiring a Hue bridge v2), LIFX Lights, and Nanoleaf Panels, enabling a broad range of visual experiences, from soothing ambient setups to lively dance floors. - Precision Sync: Our sophisticated algorithm detects every beat, drop, and mood shift in your music, ensuring your light effects and FX are in perfect synchronisation. Whether it’s for a party, dance, or relaxation, the lights follow every nuance of your soundtracks. - Customized Visuals: Dive deep into customization with adjustable strobes, flashes, pulses, and more to match your party or dance theme. Select from an array of palettes to craft the perfect ambiance for every track, enhancing every beat and rhythm for a truly immersive experience. - Interactive and Social: Empower your parties and dance sessions with iOS Shortcuts integration and manual strobe controls. Group your smart lights for synchronized displays that amplify the mood, whether it's for an intimate gathering or a full-blown dance party. iLightShow not only elevates your music listening experience but also transforms your space into a visual spectacle that responds to your music's every beat, perfect for any party, dance, or ambient setting. This app brings together Philips Hue, LIFX, and Nanoleaf lights in harmony with Spotify and Apple Music, ensuring every moment is visually stunning and in perfect sync. Note: Philips Hue bridge (v2) is essential for Hue functionalities. Check our FAQ for detailed compatibility with LIFX and Nanoleaf lights. Elevate your music to a visual art form with iLightShow. It’s not just about listening—it’s about experiencing music with every sense. Download now and make every occasion, from serene ambient evenings to high-energy dance parties, unforgettable. Requirements: • Philips Hue Bridge and some Philips Hue Smart Bulbs (for more information, see http://meethue.com). Also works with TRÅDFRI bulbs, linked to the hue bridge. • OR/AND LIFX lights (no bridge required) • OR/AND Nanoleaf (panels and essentials) • An Apple Music account OR Spotify Music Account (Premium) Need some support? Contact me on Twitter or Facebook at @iLightShow Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy policy: https://ilightshow.net/privacy-policy/

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

iLightShow for Philips Hue4 screens
Hue Essentials4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: iLightShow for Philips Hue at 71% against Hue Essentials's 38%. iLightShow for Philips Hue also leads on rating (4.6 vs 4.2) and ratings volume (7.2K vs 141). Hue Essentials's advantage is device support (5 vs 2). On price, update cadence, 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. iLightShow for Philips Hue sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and Hue Essentials sells 8 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

iLightShow for Philips Hue holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: iLightShow for Philips Hue has 7.2K ratings behind it against 141, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 71% of iLightShow for Philips Hue's written reviews are positive against 38% of Hue Essentials's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

iLightShow for Philips Hue ships an update every 3 weeks, Hue Essentials every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 28, 2026 and October 26, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
iLightShow for Philips Hue versus Hue Essentials: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameteriLightShow for Philips HueHue Essentials
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (7.2K ratings) — better4.2 (141 ratings)
Positive reviews71.2% of reviews — better37.8% of reviews
Number of ratings7.2K — better141
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS16.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size55 MB271 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperNicolas AnjoranThomas Vos

Customer experience

iLightShow for Philips Hue

All ratings7,188 ratings
Positive89.1%
Neutral4.5%
Negative6.4%
Written reviews576 reviews
Positive71.2%
Neutral7.8%
Negative21.0%

Hue Essentials

All ratings138 ratings
Positive77.5%
Neutral7.2%
Negative15.2%
Written reviews241 reviews
Positive37.8%
Neutral8.3%
Negative53.9%

User reviews

iLightShow for Philips Hue

From 7.2K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Amazing app
  • 🚀 Fantastic syncing with music
  • 👍 Great support from developer
  • 👍 Intuitive and easy to use
  • 👍 Customizable settings

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Crashes or stops working
  • 🐛 Connectivity issues with Bluetooth
  • 💰 Subscription model/in-app purchases
  • 🔒 Privacy concerns with data collection

Hue Essentials

From 141 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Excellent Hue lighting control
  • 👍 Works well with multiple bridges
  • 💡 Customizable remote controls
  • 🚀 Faster than official Hue app

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Buggy and crashes frequently
  • 🔒 In-app purchases required for key features
  • 👎 Poor execution and user experience
  • 🔋 Widgets and Apple Watch app not working

Bugs and requests

iLightShow for Philips Hue

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Lights not syncing properly with music
  • Audio analysis issues/delays
  • Compatibility problems with newer devices/iOS versions

Requested features

6 requests
  • Support for more music services (YouTube, SoundCloud, etc.)
  • Background mode/ability to run app in background
  • Ability to save custom presets
  • Grouping/zoning of lights
  • Apple TV app version
Show 1 more
  • More granular control over light effects

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

8 purchases

iLightShow for Philips Hue

Subscriptions6
  • FX+ Monthly$4.991 Month
  • Pro (annual)$8.991 Year
  • Pro (yearly)3 Days trial$8.991 Year
Show 3 more
  • Lite (Annual)$8.991 Year
  • FX+ Annual1 Year trial$29.991 Year
  • FX+ Annual$29.991 Year
One-time2
  • Pro$8.99
  • FX+$29.99
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 iLightShow for Philips Hue free?
iLightShow for Philips Hue is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Hue Essentials free?
Hue Essentials is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, iLightShow for Philips Hue or Hue Essentials?
iLightShow for Philips Hue is rated higher. iLightShow for Philips Hue averages 4.6 out of 5 from 7.2K ratings, while Hue Essentials averages 4.2 from 141 ratings.
Do iLightShow for Philips Hue or Hue Essentials have ads?
Neither iLightShow for Philips Hue nor Hue Essentials shows ads.
Which is updated more often, iLightShow for Philips Hue or Hue Essentials?
iLightShow for Philips Hue ships an update every 3 weeks, and Hue Essentials every 2 weeks. Most recently, iLightShow for Philips Hue was updated on October 28, 2026 and Hue Essentials on October 26, 2026.

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