# Hue Lights vs SmartCONTROL WiFi

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: SmartCONTROL WiFi at none against Hue Lights's 9. SmartCONTROL WiFi also leads on rating (4.5 vs 4.1). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume and update cadence there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Hue Lights sells 9 one-off in-app purchases. SmartCONTROL WiFi asks for nothing beyond the download.

SmartCONTROL WiFi holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.1. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 393 and 422 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 46% of Hue Lights's written reviews are positive against 41% of SmartCONTROL WiFi's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Hue Lights ships an update every 5 months, SmartCONTROL WiFi every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Hue Lights | SmartCONTROL WiFi |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.1 (393 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hue-lights/id762009425/reviews) | **[4.5 (422 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smartcontrol-wifi/id810201950/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 393 | **422** |
| Positive reviews | **45.7% of reviews** | 41.5% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | **Every 3 months** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 53 MB | 90 MB |
| Requires iOS | **11.0** | 12.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [LapApps, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/762009431) | [AwoX](https://appshunter.io/developer/381302202) |

## What reviewers say

### Hue Lights

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hue-lights/id762009425)

Unlock advanced control for your smart lights. Create custom scenes, schedules, and dynamic lighting effects. Enhance your home ambiance with unique features like simulated weather and fire.

**Highlights:** Precise lighting control, Multi-room scenes, Customizable schedules, Dynamic lighting effects, Hue sensor and switch configuration, Apple Watch integration, In-app purchase for special effects

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (9)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Unlock 100 Scenes | Free | one-time |
| Thunderstorm | $1.99 | one-time |
| Fire | $1.99 | one-time |
| Water | $1.99 | one-time |
| Perfect Sunrise | $1.99 | one-time |
| Richer Colors and Scenes | $1.99 | one-time |
| Premium Actions | $1.99 | one-time |
| Premium Sequences | $1.99 | one-time |
| Unlock 48 Lights | $4.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Great app for controlling Hue lights
- 👍 Excellent functionality and customization
- 💡 Helpful for connecting older Hue bulbs
- 🚀 Touchlink feature works well
- 👍 Responsive and helpful developer support

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Buggy and unreliable after updates
- 👎 Complicated and unintuitive user interface
- 💰 Expensive in-app purchases required
- 🐛 Compatibility issues with newer Hue bridges
- 👎 Scenes and schedules not working as expected

**Reported bugs**

- Lights not responding to commands
- Scenes not loading or activating properly
- Frequent crashes and connection issues
- Unexpected changes to light groups and settings

**Requested features**

- Alexa/Siri integration and voice control
- Ability to run effects/animations in the background
- More customization options for sunrise/sunset scenes
- Better widget and Apple Watch support


### SmartCONTROL WiFi

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smartcontrol-wifi/id810201950)

Manage your first-generation WiFi devices with this app. Create a free account to sync settings across devices and build a private, secure network. Your data is protected and used only to enhance your experience.

**Highlights:** First-generation WiFi product support, Sync settings across devices, Secure private network creation, Free account creation, Data protection and privacy

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 💡 Easy setup and installation
- 💡 Good color shades and mood setting
- 💡 Long-lasting durability (outside for years)
- 👍 Simple app control
- 👍 Works well with standard light fittings

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Setup issues (waiting forever)
- 🐛 Alexa integration problems
- 🐛 Lights don't link well in a room
- 🐛 App requires cloud account/online registration
- 🐛 Random and limited control of lights

**Reported bugs**

- Waiting for device forever during setup
- Will not connect to Alexa
- Override button only does 1 of the two
- Grouping no longer works
- Unable to verify account (no confirmation email sent)

**Requested features**

- iOS widgets
- Apple Watch apps
- Better security
- Integration of other brand bulbs
- Customize naming of favorite colors


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Hue Lights free?

Hue Lights is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is SmartCONTROL WiFi free?

SmartCONTROL WiFi is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Hue Lights or SmartCONTROL WiFi?

SmartCONTROL WiFi is rated higher. Hue Lights averages 4.1 out of 5 from 393 ratings, while SmartCONTROL WiFi averages 4.5 from 422 ratings.

### Do Hue Lights or SmartCONTROL WiFi have ads?

Neither Hue Lights nor SmartCONTROL WiFi shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Hue Lights or SmartCONTROL WiFi?

Hue Lights ships an update every 5 months, and SmartCONTROL WiFi every 3 months. Most recently, Hue Lights was updated on September 24, 2026 and SmartCONTROL WiFi on September 23, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*