Comparison

Hue Essentials vs Sound Blaster Command

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

Head to head
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.

About

Sound Blaster Command

Configure and personalize audio settings for compatible Sound Blaster products. Manage audio profiles, equalizer settings, and speaker/headphone configurations. Enhance your audio experience with advanced customization options.

Highlights
  • Manage Super X-Fi profiles
  • Personalize Equalizer settings
  • Configure speakers and headphones
  • Adjust playback and recording settings
Read full description

Sound Blaster Command provides you with various configuration options to enhance the performance of your product and personalize your audio settings. With Sound Blaster Command, you can: - Download and manage Super X-Fi profiles - Apply and personalize Equalizer settings - Set up speakers and headphones’ configuration - Adjust playback and recording settings Note: - Some features may not be available for all products. Please check your manual for details. - To enjoy the complete experience of Super X-Fi, please download the SXFI App. Works with: - Sound Blaster X3 - Sound Blaster G3

Screenshots

Hue Essentials4 screens
Sound Blaster Command4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Sound Blaster Command at none against Hue Essentials's 8. Sound Blaster Command also leads on iOS requirement (11.0 vs 15.0). Hue Essentials's advantage is ratings volume (138 vs 7) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs monthly). On price, rating, 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. Sound Blaster Command asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.2 for Hue Essentials against 4.1 for Sound Blaster Command. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Hue Essentials has 138 ratings behind it against 7, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 38% and 38% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Hue Essentials ships an update every 2 weeks, Sound Blaster Command monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Hue Essentials versus Sound Blaster Command: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHue EssentialsSound Blaster Command
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.2 (138 ratings) — better4.1 (7 ratings)
Positive reviews37.8% of reviews — better37.5% of reviews
Number of ratings138 — better7
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemiumFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.011.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size271 MB91 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperThomas VosCreative Labs Pte. Ltd.

Customer experience

Hue Essentials

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

Sound Blaster Command

All ratings7 ratings
Positive71.4%
Neutral28.6%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews8 reviews
Positive37.5%
Neutral12.5%
Negative50.0%

Bugs and 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

Sound Blaster Command

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

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
None

Sound Blaster Command

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Hue Essentials free?
Hue Essentials is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Sound Blaster Command free?
Sound Blaster Command is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Hue Essentials or Sound Blaster Command?
Hue Essentials is rated higher. Hue Essentials averages 4.2 out of 5 from 138 ratings, while Sound Blaster Command averages 4.1 from 7 ratings.
Do Hue Essentials or Sound Blaster Command have ads?
Neither Hue Essentials nor Sound Blaster Command shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Hue Essentials or Sound Blaster Command?
Hue Essentials ships an update every 2 weeks, and Sound Blaster Command monthly. Most recently, Hue Essentials was updated on October 20, 2026 and Sound Blaster Command on October 9, 2026.

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