Comparison

Hue Essentials vs Stag and Hen

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

Stag and Hen

Features
Read full description

The Stag & Hen is an event planning and memory-sharing app built for stag dos, hen parties, and wedding send-offs. Create a private event, invite your crew with a simple QR code, share photos and videos, manage a group kitty, set fun challenges, and capture memories from the whole celebration in one place. Whether you are planning one big night out or a full weekend away, The Stag & Hen helps keep everyone connected before, during, and after the event. Features include: Private Event Spaces Create a dedicated event for your stag or hen party. Add the event name, date, bride or groom name, and invite your crew securely. QR Code Invites Share access with a QR code or event PIN. Guests can join quickly without complicated setup. Private Photo & Video Gallery Capture and share event photos and videos in one place. Keep memories private to the event group. Media Package Options Choose the event package that fits your celebration, from short-term media access to longer-term keepsakes. Activities & Challenges Keep the group involved with dares, spinner choices, photo challenges, secret missions, bride quiz, bag game, and points. Secret Missions Give guests private missions to complete during the event. Add evidence, mark missions complete, and build a fun board of completed challenges. Messages & Advice Record keepsake video messages, memories, advice, and future wishes for the bride or groom. Group Kitty Track contributions and shared costs for activities, taxis, surprises, outfits, or weekend plans. Prize Points The organiser can award points to crew members for completing missions, challenges, photo proof, funniest moments, or best effort. Party Shop Browse stag and hen party essentials, accessories, decorations, keepsakes, and outfit ideas. Built for Stag and Hen Parties Switch between stag and hen themes, with an event experience tailored to the celebration. The Stag & Hen is designed to make organising easier and the celebration more memorable. It keeps the planning, people, media, money, activities, and memories together so the organiser can spend less time chasing everyone and more time enjoying the send-off.

Screenshots

Hue Essentials4 screens
Stag and Hen4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is device support: Hue Essentials at 5 against Stag and Hen's 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. Hue Essentials sells 8 one-off in-app purchases and Stag and Hen sells 7 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Hue Essentials ships an update every 2 weeks, Stag and Hen fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Hue Essentials versus Stag and Hen: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHue EssentialsStag and Hen
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.2 (144 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews37.8% of reviews—
Number of ratings144 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterFortnightly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS15.0 — better15.1
Further details — not scored
Size271 MB38 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperThomas VosGraham Gardiner

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

Stag and Hen

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
7 purchases

Stag and Hen

One-time7
  • Extend Upload by 24h$12.99
  • One Day Event$25.00
  • One Day - Extended Package$30.00
Show 4 more
  • Extended Package - Prime Package$40.00
  • Extended Event$59.00
  • One Day Package - Prime Package$70.00
  • Prime Event$99.00

Questions

Is Hue Essentials free?
Hue Essentials is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Stag and Hen free?
Stag and Hen is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Hue Essentials or Stag and Hen have ads?
Neither Hue Essentials nor Stag and Hen shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Hue Essentials or Stag and Hen?
Hue Essentials ships an update every 2 weeks, and Stag and Hen fortnightly. Most recently, Hue Essentials was updated on November 6, 2026 and Stag and Hen on November 5, 2026.

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