Comparison

Hape Engine 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

Hape Engine

Control Hape toy engines remotely via Bluetooth. Simulate an authentic driving experience with sound and light effects, and operate the engine's headlight and horn.

Highlights
  • Bluetooth connectivity
  • Engine movement control
  • Sound and light effects
  • Headlight operation
  • Horn operation
  • Simulated driving interface
Features
Read full description

This APP is a remote function controller for the Hape engine. Please buy the engine before downloading and operating the APP. The product and APP are suitable for children over three years old. Download the APP on your compatible smartphone, and connect the APP to the engine via Bluetooth following the enclosed instructions. When you are done, you can launch your engine. Use the APP’s operation interface as panels in the engine’s driving cab. Press buttons to make the engine move forward, accelerate forward, reverse or accelerate backwards. While the engine is working, different sound and light effects simulate an authentic driving experience; the engine's headlight and horn can also be operated via the APP. This APP does not contain any contextual advertising. If you need any support, please contact customer services.

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

Hape Engine1 screens
Hue Essentials4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Hape Engine at none against Hue Essentials's 8. Hape Engine also leads on iOS requirement (8.0 vs 15.0). Hue Essentials's advantage is rating (4.2 vs 3.8) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs monthly). On price, review sentiment 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Hue Essentials sells 8 one-off in-app purchases. Hape Engine asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Hue Essentials holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 3.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Hue Essentials has 144 ratings behind it against 20, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 38% and 38% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Hape Engine ships an update monthly, Hue Essentials every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Hape Engine versus Hue Essentials: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHape EngineHue Essentials
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.8 (20 ratings)4.2 (144 ratings) — better
Positive reviews37.5% of reviews37.8% of reviews — better
Number of ratings20144 — better
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS8.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size14 MB271 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHapeThomas Vos

Customer experience

Hape Engine

All ratings18 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%
Written reviews8 reviews
Positive37.5%
Neutral12.5%
Negative50.0%

Hue Essentials

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

Bugs and requests

Hape Engine

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

Hape Engine

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 Hape Engine free?
Hape Engine is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Hue Essentials free?
Hue Essentials is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Hape Engine or Hue Essentials?
Hue Essentials is rated higher. Hape Engine averages 3.8 out of 5 from 20 ratings, while Hue Essentials averages 4.2 from 144 ratings.
Do Hape Engine or Hue Essentials have ads?
Neither Hape Engine nor Hue Essentials shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Hape Engine or Hue Essentials?
Hape Engine ships an update monthly, and Hue Essentials every 2 weeks. Most recently, Hape Engine was updated on November 2, 2026 and Hue Essentials on November 6, 2026.

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