Comparison

Swiftfin vs SonicHue Sync

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

Head to head
About

Swiftfin

Stream your video collection from a Jellyfin media server to your iOS device. Enjoy an easy-to-use interface for your media library and watch live TV if you have the necessary hardware.

Highlights
  • Native iOS/iPadOS video player
  • Connects to Jellyfin media servers
  • Stream video collection
  • Easy-to-use interface
  • Watch Live TV (with hardware)
Features
Read full description

Swiftfin is a fast, native video player that works with Jellyfin, the open source free software media server. To use the app, you must have a Jellyfin server set up and running. Find out more at https://jellyfin.org With a Jellyfin server, you can: - Watch Live TV and recorded shows from your Jellyfin server (additional hardware/services required) - Stream your video to your iOS/iPadOS device - View your collection in an easy to use interface This is an official Jellyfin companion app. Thank you for using Jellyfin!

About

SonicHue Sync

Transform your Philips Hue lights into a dynamic visual experience synchronized with your music. Enjoy real-time light shows, customizable effects, and precise control over your atmosphere. Works in the background for uninterrupted enjoyment.

Highlights
  • Real-time music-to-light synchronization
  • Customizable color palettes and effects
  • Light order mapping for directional experience
  • Background sync functionality
  • DJ performance panel for on-the-fly effects
  • MIDI device support for physical control
  • Advanced color distribution and individual light dimming
Features
Read full description

SonicHue Sync: Pure Magic for Your Philips Hue Turn your living room into a concert hall, a chill lounge, or a vibrant party space. SonicHue Sync analyzes your music in real-time and transforms it into a breathtaking light show using your Philips Hue Entertainment system. Key Features: REAL-TIME SYNC: Feel every beat, drop, and melody with ultra-low latency synchronization. IMMERSIVE EFFECTS: Choose from a variety of visual effects designed for every mood—from high-energy party vibes to relaxing ambient glows. CUSTOM PALETTES: Design your own atmosphere. Select from curated color palettes or create your own to match your style. LIGHT ORDER MAPPING: Match your physical setup perfectly. Tell the app where your lights are for a truly directional experience. PRECISION CONTROL: Fine-tune the sensitivity to match your listening environment and musical taste. INSTANT TOGGLE: Control your entire room with a single tap. Turn sync on/off or adjust brightness instantly. BACKGROUND SYNC: Keep the party going. SonicHue Sync works even when your screen is locked or you're using other apps. Experience your music like never before. SonicHue Sync brings "Pure Magic" to your Philips Hue setup. DJ PERFORMANCE PANEL: Manually trigger custom visual effects on the fly like a DJ using the built-in touch performance pad. MIDI DEVICE SUPPORT: Plug and play your external MIDI keyboards or DJ controllers to orchestrate your lights physically (Pro Mode). ADVANCED COLOR DISTRIBUTION: Choose exactly how your custom colors behave—rotate them sequentially, flow them simultaneously across all lights, or keep them fixed. INDIVIDUAL LIGHT DIMMING: Swipe left or right on any connected light within the app to adjust its individual relative brightness without breaking the global sync. PRO EFFECT SYNTHESIZER: Shape the response curves of your lights as if you were using a professional audio synthesizer. Full ADSR (Attack, Decay, Sustain, Release) envelope controls let you design completely unique and customized lighting dynamics. Coming Soon: Multi-Bridge Connection Enhanced Gradient Light Features Note: Requires a Philips Hue Bridge and color-capable Hue lights with an Entertainment Area configured. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://www.sonichue.app/privacy

Screenshots

Swiftfin4 screens
SonicHue Sync4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: SonicHue Sync at 100% against Swiftfin's 53%. SonicHue Sync also leads on rating (5.0 vs 3.8) and update cadence (fortnightly vs every 3 months). Swiftfin's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 6) and ratings volume (276 vs 6). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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. SonicHue Sync sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days. Swiftfin asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

SonicHue Sync holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Swiftfin has 276 ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 53% of Swiftfin's written reviews are positive against 100% of SonicHue Sync's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Swiftfin ships an update every 3 months, SonicHue Sync fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Swiftfin versus SonicHue Sync: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSwiftfinSonicHue Sync
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.8 (276 ratings)5.0 (6 ratings) — better
Positive reviews53.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings276 — better6
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple TV — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18.617.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size186 MB18 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAnthony LavadoUtku Uslusoy

Customer experience

Swiftfin

All ratings267 ratings
Positive64.8%
Neutral10.9%
Negative24.3%
Written reviews366 reviews
Positive53.0%
Neutral14.8%
Negative32.2%

SonicHue Sync

All ratings6 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

Swiftfin

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Unable to connect to Jellyfin server after recent updates
  • Sorting and filtering not working as expected
  • Playback issues with certain video codecs and formats
  • Home bar not disappearing during video playback
  • Sync issues between iOS and tvOS versions

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add offline media download capability
  • Implement Picture-in-Picture mode
  • Introduce a shuffle option for episodes
  • Integrate e-book and audiobook support
  • Allow customization of media library views

SonicHue Sync

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Swiftfin

No in-app purchases

6 purchases

SonicHue Sync

Subscriptions5
  • SonicHue Sync Live (Week)$2.997 Days
  • SonicHue Sync Pro (1 Month)$3.991 Month
  • SonicHue Sync Live (1 Month)3 Days trial$5.991 Month
Show 2 more
  • SonicHue Sync Pro (1 Year)$19.991 Year
  • SonicHue Sync Live (1 Year)7 Days trial$29.991 Year
One-time1
  • SonicHue Sync Pro$29.99

Questions

Is Swiftfin free?
Swiftfin is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is SonicHue Sync free?
SonicHue Sync is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Swiftfin or SonicHue Sync?
SonicHue Sync is rated higher. Swiftfin averages 3.8 out of 5 from 276 ratings, while SonicHue Sync averages 5.0 from 6 ratings.
Do Swiftfin or SonicHue Sync have ads?
Neither Swiftfin nor SonicHue Sync shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Swiftfin or SonicHue Sync?
Swiftfin ships an update every 3 months, and SonicHue Sync fortnightly. Most recently, Swiftfin was updated on October 23, 2026 and SonicHue Sync on October 15, 2026.

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