Hue Essentials
For Philips Hue，deCONZ，diyHue
How much does Hue Essentials cost?
Prices are current as of 8 Oct 2026.
8 one-time purchases from $0.99
In the United States, Hue Essentials has 8 one-time purchases priced $0.99 – 7.99.
| Product | Price |
|---|---|
| Effects: Christmas | $0.99 |
| Effects: Floral fantasy | $0.99 |
| Effects: Romantic | $0.99 |
| Effects: Spooky | $0.99 |
| Effects: Universe | $0.99 |
| Effects: Wonders of nature | $0.99 |
| Multiple bridges | $4.99 |
| Premium | $7.99 |
10+ alternatives to Hue Essentials
| Hue Essentials |   Philips Hue |   IKEA Home smart 1 |   Home Assistant |   OnSwitch for Philips Hue |   Homey — A better smart home |   iLightShow for Philips Hue |   Eve for Matter & HomeKit |   Hue Party for Philips Hue |   Controller for HomeKit |   hueDynamic for Philips Hue | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rating / 5 | 4.2 | 4.7 | 4.2 | 4.7 | 4.6 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.1 | 3.9 | 4.1 | 4.5 |
| Reviews | 901 | 454K | 77K | 21K | 20K | 19K | 17K | 12K | 12K | 8.3K | 2.1K |
| Released | 2020 | 2016 | 2017 | 2017 | 2014 | 2019 | 2017 | 2015 | 2013 | 2017 | 2018 |
| Monthly price | — | $3.99 | — | — | $12.99 | $0.99 | $4.99 | — | $9.99 | $4.99 | $2.99 |
| Annual price | — | $39.99 | — | — | $35.99 | — | $8.99 | — | $49.99 | $39.99 | $9.99 |
| One-time price | $0.99 | $129.99 | — | — | $1.99 | $8.99 | $8.99 | — | $69.99 | $99.99 | $9.99 |
The going rate for each plan in United States, in its own currency, shaded from the cheapest price on the row to the dearest. Plans fewer than four in ten of the priced apps sell are left out.
Hue Essentials reviews
4.2 out of 5, based on 901 reviews.
What people like
- Works when the official Philips app fails
- Connects to old bridge versions easily
- Touchlink rescues bulbs stuck to other hubs
What they complain about
- Paywalls hide basic features like touchlink
- App crashes or fails to connect often
- Settings and automations fail to save
Works beautifully to control the lights in my house
From my desktop computer. No need to reach out for my phone or tablet anymore while I am on the computer.
Scammed
My reason for getting this app was because my Hue Play bar lights, which were paired with my previous bridge, wouldn’t pair to my new bridge. I had read online that the Touchlink functionality of this app could solve my problem. Touchlink being a paywalled feature and figuring it would solve my issue, I paid only to find that it didn’t work. I followed the guidance provided by the creators along with performing my own troubleshooting with no success. These developers also appear to not allow refunds. Waste of money, garbage app is garage, stay away. If anyone has similar issue the aforementioned lights can be disassembled with relative ease, and a QR code is located inside the device which worked for pairing through the official Hue app.
What’s with the widgets..?
Good app overall, but I can’t get a widget for my lights. It only seems to have one for “temperature sensors”. Why??
No widgets
Where are the widgets? To control the lights
Support für Apple TV als Border Router
Die App sieht super aus und ist was ich suche. allerdings scheint sie zwingend, eine Hue Bridge zu brauchen, es wäre schön, wenn Sie auch den Apple TV als sicherlich eines der meist genutzten Matter Over Thread Router unterstützen würde.
Perfect for Hue Bridge Pro!
I have had Hue lights since they were first available. The variety of settings, and the Hue Essentials communication with actual Hue App on my phone, is key. I have had several Apps that have worked with my devices, and this app combines all of them, into one app. Easily the best Hue app available
Touchlink does not work after paying
You have to pay to use touchlink where it was free previously and after I paid $8, it didn’t work and now I’m stuck with this useless app. I only paid and would have happily paid if touchlink worked but it didn’t. $8 wasted. Do not buy.
👍🤘
Finde deine App soweit super 👍 So warum ich nur 4Sterne gegeben habe ist da mir die App für Apple TV noch fehlt 🤘😘
Needs work
Adding automations to my hue tap switches does not work. The app won't save when pressing the save button. A "save" spinner just spins forever without saving anything
Was great before the Pro Hub
Errors out whenever trying to start an effect on the new Hue Pro hub. Nothing but unknown parameters. I hope it is fixed soon.
Necessary if you have old Hue Bulbs
This app is great but I would rather pay for a fully featured pro version than for micro-transactions for each feature, that being said they do work as promised. I needed this app because my original hue system was in a box for 7 years and I had no way to connect my v 1.0!bridge to the current app it so I could transfer my setup to their new hub. Phillips stopped supporting hue bridge 1.0 a few years ago in the official app. This app allowed me to connect my old bulbs, strips, remote and bridge to my new hue hub v 2 bridge and transfer them over. If you don’t feel like getting the new hub then this can mostly replace the official hue app. Most importantly for old hue bulb users it also has the Touchlink feature that is key to getting the original bulbs to work with the new hub 2. I wish hue still kept this feature in ther current app but hey don’t. These two apps are linked so once I got everything transferred the hue app works great alongside this one and I have full animated effects thanks to the new hub 2.
4 year old bug the author refuses to fix
Fade does not work. If you set up an action with a button an set a fade time, it happens immediately. There is not fade. Not sure how the author thinks that’s ok. Found an issue that is four years old of people complaining about it. Please fix!!!
Bis auf Kleinigkeiten großartig!
An sich eine tolle App. Habe mir einen schönen Effekt für einen künstlichen Sonnenaufgang programmiert. Der funktioniert super. Habe ihn monatelang per Siri-Kurzbefehl automatisiert gestartet. Edit: Seit iOS26 funktioniert das auch wieder perfekt! Super! Edit: Es fehlt eine Funktion, Effekte in ein anderes Zimmer zu kopieren. Ich musste also einen umfangreich programmierten Effekt in einem anderen Raum 1:1 noch einmal programmieren. Darum ein Stern Abzug. Ansonsten jetzt wieder Top!!!
Paid and now it’s not supported!
I paid to go premium and make custom effects and now I can’t even do that, this app is useless to me now and there’s not even an option for a refund!
No way to skip this
Mandatory “flip through these pages to see what this app has to offer” screens on installation are bad.
This app saved me from buying a new bridge
Wow. I discovered today when I needed to change which lights my switches controlled that the official Philips Hue Bridge v1 app (which I still have on my phone for compatibility with my circular v1 bridge) could no longer configure the accessories (it would freeze then crash when trying to select them in settings). Since that app is no longer supported, and my switches would not control the right lights without me being able to configure them… I was just about resigned to having to buy a new v2 bridge. Besides the cost and waste of plastic, this felt sad because I don’t need the newer bridge’s features and *all my Hue hardware including the v1 bridge is working just fine*! The only issue is that the software used to change their settings broke—had I not needed to add a few new bulbs and configure the switches to control them, I could’ve kept using the same setup for a long time! I was about to give up and buy a new bridge for $60 when I came across this app, tried it out, and… wow. No issues pairing with my v1 bridge, and could easily make the changes I needed to make to my switches. (In fact it offers customizations that the official Hue app never did for these switches, like setting up to *10* different things a single button can do when pressed repeatedly.) Leaps and bounds better than official Hue apps ever have been. Thanks so much for building this. 🙏
No longer works on the Apple Watch
I used to use this app and loved it but now it can’t connect to the bridge and there’s no way to troubleshoot
Works well, except…
Great app, but keeps crashing when trying to set the colour temperature. Logs are submitted. Fix hopefully coming soon.
Buggy but when it works it’s beautiful
I should’ve read the reviews before buying
Gute App, ABER…
Sehr gute, zuverlässige App, übersichtlich und leicht zu bedienen. Vor allem die Touchlink Funktion ist hier positiv hervorzuheben. Sie hat mir sprichwörtlich den A**** gerettet, den nur damit konnte ich eine gebrauchte Leuchte, die noch mit dem System des Vorbesitzers verbunden war, mit meinem System verbinden. NEGATIV: seit neustem (Version 4.4.0 (124) kann ich meine Apple Watch Series 9 (iOS 11.6.1 (22U90) nicht mehr mit der Bridge koppeln.
Must have for Hue
Touchlink premium functionality is a must have. It has rescued almost dead deceives more than I care to count. Also allows “exotic” devices to connect with the hue bridge even if not officially supported
Terrible Apple Watch App
It doesn’t even work, the original app connects to my go lamp but my Apple Watch will never connect to it
Multiple bridges - takes money doesn’t work
Multiple bridges - takes money doesn’t work
Great features let down by poor execution
I bought this to make custom event automations but the experience is very buggy so far. Screens close without warning, the entire app has crashed numerous times, and I have received errors updating two different hue bridges. I have been able to created some automations so 2 stars but the whole experience needs to be greatly improved to get a higher rating.
No dark mode icon
Kinda weird that it doesn’t have one, because it would only take a moment.
Great app for customizing Hue switches
Hue Essentials is essential for adding more customizations to the Hue dimmer switches. Five stars alone just for that.
not worth
I purchased the premium version of this app for approximately eight dollars. However, it lacks a feature for account sign-in, which prevents me from accessing my subscription on other devices, such as my Sony TV. As a result, I'm limited to using the app solely on my iPhone, which is redundant since I have alternative applications available on that device. After reviewing the support documentation for the official website, I noted that users are eligible to request a refund if any issues arise, although the final decision rests with Apple. Unfortunately, despite submitting two refund requests, I have not received a response or reimbursement from Apple. Given these circumstances, I find the investment in this app to be unjustifiable.
Fixed
The widget is back
Just about works.
Just does the job but clunky as hell
It used to work great.
There is a bad bug now that makes anything not HUE black out on the screen. Can’t read titles of rooms, zones or the hub. Can’t you fix it?
Better than the Hue Apps
I reinstalled the Hue app and for some reason it cannot find my bridge anymore. I try to reset the bridge, reconnect the WiFi etc. but simply doesn’t work. With this app it connected to my devices in seconds and works well. Phillips Hue app is such a disappointment.
Save your Money
After restarting both Hue Bridges, router and iPhone. This app still cannot connect to either bridge. The error says no internet connection. Surprising how the official Hue app has no problem connecting. Whatever save your money for an app that works better!!
Good App! A Little Confusing, But Better Than Phillips!
Whats free? Whats paid? Effects work how? All things you’ll have to figure out. Overall a great app. Added my Hue Bluetooth easy peasy, controls things well, sets effects (once you figure it out). My only strong nitpicking feedback: PLEASE remove the “bouncing” animation on the dial indicator for light level. Its nice and skeuomorphic, I suppose, but it doesn’t add anything! Its an effect for its own sake and actually reduces precision! Its hurting the UX for an effect and thats silly. Thank you! 4/5, lots of potential for a 5/5
In App purchases not functioning — WASTED MONEY
I got this becuase my v1 round hue bridge stopped being discoverable today via the old app after I updated to the rapid response patch in ios. I tried to install the hue sync app for Mac but that installer would not run, and no older versions of the dmg were available from phillips hue “signify". So I stumbled on this and it actually found my v1 bridge and all my lights, so I opted for the pro version to create schedules. I am not sure that it would have made any difference if I hadn’t factory rest the hue hub, as this app is also pretty dated. I was able to install the desktop software from the App Store, but the application is still running in limited demo mode after inapp purchase of pro. At least apple recognizes multiple purchases for the same in-app feature set, so I should only get charged once. But given that is doesn’t work (charges you for in app but doesn’t unlock feattures) or allow you to schedule scenes out of the gate. It has little to no usefullness to me. I will have totrack down a new v2 hue bridge to get my hue lights working on my iphone now with the updated app or applehome kit.
Not sure it works for my purpose
Does this still allow adding ikea switches to control rooms in 2023. I purchased premium to use touchlink but so far have not had success?
Absolutely tops Hue’s own app.
Hue now requires you to update your firmware and create a mandatory cloud account to manage local IOT hardware in their app. Their app is truly terrible and hue is a worthless company for that predatory behavior. This app lets you decline the update and manage your devices that are IN YOUR HOME without having to talk to hue’s servers. As it should be.
Don’t waste your
I bought effects have no clue where they are this app is a waste of money and should taken off App Store
Fixed 66.6% of my Hue issues
The Hue set up is ok but there were 3 things I wanted to do that I just couldn't achieve with the standard app. I'd given up trying when I found this app after Hue updated the native app and somehow screwed up my entire system. The hub was no longer found or discoverable even though the switches still worked and the entire system still worked through Apple Home. Even after buying a new hub, the Hue app wouldn't find it. Thankfully I found this app and got everything up and running with the new hub. Issue 1 solved. Issue 2 was Philips idea of "night light" on their bulbs. I have Hue ceiling lights in the bathroom and their night light mode is perfect, very dim. The bulbs on the other hand are still too bright on their dimmest setting. I fitted a full colour bulb thinking I could just use red on the lowest power setting and a motion sensor but I couldn't get the original app to do that. On this app however, it was no problem and now at night I have a nice dim red night light controlled by a motion sensor. Issue 3 is where I'm stuck. I have a zigbee switch that controls an extractor fan. The extractor fan that my partner turns on when she has a shower before work and will leave running to clear the steam. Issue being that she'll leave for work and it'll be running unnecessarily for up to 8 hours. I just wish there was a timer mode for switches so it would automatically turn off after 20 minutes of being on.
Accessories not saving lights
So, with the latest update, my light switch not syncing with different zones, they Dont save. Really poor.
Wont Update
Since the last update, I cannot update the software :(
Love the October 2024 update
First, ignore anyone whining about needing to pay for this app to use your Hue bulbs. That’s not true and this app isn’t from Philips. Complain about shortcomings of the official app on the official app. That said, I’m a Hue user going back five years and two houses. When I moved I absolutely did not want to deal with the limitations of the official Hue app any longer, and tried several third-party apps. This was the best one of the bunch. Every bulb in my house is Hue, with a mix of bulb types (white, color, Edison) and though I did the setup in the Hue app, I use this one for everything that isn’t scheduled or on a Hue switch. When I went in to override my front porch light for Halloween, I noticed that the color adjustment is easier to get to, which I’m thrilled about.
Scam
This is an unbelievable rip off. You pay all this money for the lights and the hub only for them to charge more money in this app for basic smart light functionality. You can’t even use your voice assistant without paying for it. This is absolutely disgusting and a total disgrace. Not only should you not use this app you should absolutely not buy any hue lights ever. I will be returning mine immediately. Everybody involved in the decision to charge money for basic functionality in this app should be fired and should never be employed again. Disgusting greed on display.
Touchlink Works Great
Purchased premium to sync an IKEA bulb to my Hue Bridge after spending an hour of doing the manual ‘six click reset’ method and using the hue app with no luck. Touchlink worked perfectly first time to sync the bulb with the bridge, happy days!
Widgets
Why is the only widget for temperature? (a feature the bulbs ((or at least mine)) do not include) All I want is a remote control widget. :/
Can’t seem to get it to work on my watch
Works well on my phone with the widgets aswell but for some reason it doesn’t work with my watch app.
Better than the official app.
This app worked when the official Philips app didn’t. Don’t let the rating fool you. I wish I found this app earlier.
Does not work on newest apple watch
Just closes the moment you open the app on your watch. Needs work
Good but needs work
I’ve purchased the premium package and looks a good app. I’ve added the widgets to turn on and turn off my Bluetooth hue colour light but it doesn’t seem to work. The colour effects are great though
Dance Sensation Doesn’t work
I bought this for the dancing sensation because it was a great addition to the lights. After this last update install doesn’t work on all the lights I have set up in a group. Only one or two out of the three work at a time. If he can fix I would give this a 4 but I’m really disappointed.
Help
Does anyone know when ikea support will be added
Hue Essentials price by country
A one-time purchase costs $0.70 in Canada and $1.54 in Hungary — 2× more for the same thing. Below is the going rate for each plan in every country that sells it — the middle price of what the app charges there, in the country's own currency with the dollar equivalent beneath it.
| Country | One-time |
|---|---|
| Afghanistan | $0.99 |
| Albania | $0.99 |
| Algeria | $0.99 |
| Angola | $0.99 |
| Anguilla | $0.99 |
| Antigua And Barbuda | $0.99 |
| Argentina | $0.99 |
| Armenia | $0.99 |
| Australia | A$1.99$1.39 |
| Austria | €0.99$1.11 |
| Azerbaijan | $0.99 |
| Bahamas | $0.99 |
| Bahrain | $0.99 |
| Barbados | $0.99 |
| Belarus | $0.99 |
| Belgium | €0.99$1.11 |
| Belize | $0.99 |
| Benin | $0.99 |
| Bermuda | $0.99 |
| Bhutan | $0.99 |
| Bolivia | $0.99 |
| Bosnia & Herzegovina | €0.99$1.11 |
| Botswana | $0.99 |
| Brazil | R$6.90$1.39 |
| British Virgin Islands | $0.99 |
| Brunei Darussalam | $0.99 |
| Bulgaria | €0.99$1.11 |
| Burkina Faso | $0.99 |
| Cambodia | $0.99 |
| Cameroon | $0.99 |
| Canada | CA$0.99$0.70 |
| Cape Verde | $0.99 |
| Cayman Islands | $0.99 |
| Chad | $0.99 |
| Chile | CLP 990$1.02 |
| China | CN¥8.00$1.19 |
| Colombia | COP 4,900$1.53 |
| Congo | $0.99 |
| Congo, Democratic Republic | $0.99 |
| Costa Rica | $0.99 |
| Cote Divoire | $0.99 |
| Croatia | €0.99$1.11 |
| Cyprus | €0.99$1.11 |
| Czech Republic | CZK 29.00$1.34 |
| Denmark | DKK 9.00$1.36 |
| Dominica | $0.99 |
| Dominican Republic | $0.99 |
| Ecuador | $0.99 |
| Egypt | EGP 49.99$0.96 |
| El Salvador | $0.99 |
| Estonia | €0.99$1.11 |
| Fiji | $0.99 |
| Finland | €0.99$1.11 |
| France | €0.99$1.11 |
| Gabon | $0.99 |
| Gambia | $0.99 |
| Georgia | $0.99 |
| Germany | €0.99$1.11 |
| Ghana | $0.99 |
| Greece | €0.99$1.11 |
| Grenada | $0.99 |
| Guatemala | $0.99 |
| Guinea-bissau | $0.99 |
| Guyana | $0.99 |
| Honduras | $0.99 |
| Hong Kong | HK$8.00$1.02 |
| Hungary | HUF 499$1.54 |
| Iceland | $0.99 |
| India | ₹99.00$1.03 |
| Indonesia | IDR 19,000$1.06 |
| Iraq | $0.99 |
| Ireland | €0.99$1.11 |
| Israel | ₪2.90$0.95 |
| Italy | €0.99$1.11 |
| Jamaica | $0.99 |
| Japan | ¥150$0.95 |
| Jordan | $0.99 |
| Kazakhstan | KZT 499.00$1.10 |
| Kenya | $0.99 |
| Kosovo | €0.99$1.11 |
| Kuwait | $0.99 |
| Kyrgyzstan | $0.99 |
| Lao Peoples Democratic Republic | $0.99 |
| Latvia | €0.99$1.11 |
| Lebanon | $0.99 |
| Liberia | $0.99 |
| Libya | $0.99 |
| Lithuania | €0.99$1.11 |
| Luxembourg | €0.99$1.11 |
| Macao | $0.99 |
| Macedonia | $0.99 |
| Madagascar | $0.99 |
| Malawi | $0.99 |
| Malaysia | MYR 4.90$1.20 |
| Maldives | $0.99 |
| Mali | $0.99 |
| Malta | €0.99$1.11 |
| Mauritania | $0.99 |
| Mauritius | $0.99 |
| Mexico | MX$19.00$1.06 |
| Micronesia | $0.99 |
| Moldova | $0.99 |
| Mongolia | $0.99 |
| Montenegro | €0.99$1.11 |
| Montserrat | $0.99 |
| Morocco | $0.99 |
| Mozambique | $0.99 |
| Myanmar | $0.99 |
| Namibia | $0.99 |
| Nauru | $0.99 |
| Nepal | $0.99 |
| Netherlands | €0.99$1.11 |
| New Zealand | NZ$1.99$1.12 |
| Nicaragua | $0.99 |
| Niger | $0.99 |
| Nigeria | NGN 1,500.00$1.13 |
| Norway | NOK 9.00$0.94 |
| Oman | $0.99 |
| Pakistan | PKR 300$1.08 |
| Palau | $0.99 |
| Panama | $0.99 |
| Papua New Guinea | $0.99 |
| Paraguay | $0.99 |
| Peru | PEN 4.90$1.42 |
| Philippines | ₱49.00$0.78 |
| Poland | PLN 4.99$1.29 |
| Portugal | €0.99$1.11 |
| Qatar | QAR 2.99$0.82 |
| Romania | RON 4.99$1.05 |
| Russia | RUB 99.00$1.17 |
| Rwanda | $0.99 |
| Sao Tome & Principe | $0.99 |
| Saudi Arabia | SAR 4.99$1.33 |
| Senegal | $0.99 |
| Serbia | €0.99$1.11 |
| Seychelles | $0.99 |
| Sierra Leone | $0.99 |
| Singapore | SGD 0.98$0.77 |
| Slovakia | €0.99$1.11 |
| Slovenia | €0.99$1.11 |
| Solomon Islands | $0.99 |
| South Africa | ZAR 19.99$1.21 |
| South Korea | ₩1,100$0.82 |
| Spain | €0.99$1.11 |
| Sri Lanka | $0.99 |
| St. Kitts and Nevis | $0.99 |
| St. Lucia | $0.99 |
| St. Vincent & The Grenadines | $0.99 |
| Suriname | $0.99 |
| Swaziland | $0.99 |
| Sweden | SEK 9.00$0.90 |
| Switzerland | CHF 1.00$1.20 |
| Taiwan | NT$30.00$0.94 |
| Tajikistan | $0.99 |
| Tanzania | TZS 2,900.00$1.10 |
| Thailand | THB 29.00$0.86 |
| Tonga | $0.99 |
| Trinidad and Tobago | $0.99 |
| Tunisia | $0.99 |
| Turkey | TRY 49.99$1.02 |
| Turkmenistan | $0.99 |
| Turks and Caicos | $0.99 |
| Uganda | $0.99 |
| Ukraine | $0.99 |
| United Arab Emirates | AED 2.99$0.81 |
| United Kingdom | £0.99$1.31 |
| United States | $0.99 |
| Uruguay | $0.99 |
| Uzbekistan | $0.99 |
| Vanuatu | $0.99 |
| Venezuela | $0.99 |
| Vietnam | ₫29,000$1.12 |
| Yemen | $0.99 |
| Zambia | $0.99 |
| Zimbabwe | $0.99 |
Hue Essentials FAQ
- Is Hue Essentials free?
- Yes. The app and its basic features are free, in all 175 countries it sells in. Premium features are paid: they start from $0.99 (US), across 8 one-time purchases.
- Does Hue Essentials have a free trial?
- No. None of its offers (US) come with a free trial.
- Where is Hue Essentials cheapest?
- A one-time purchase costs CA$0.99 (≈$0.70) in Canada and HUF 499 (≈$1.54) in Hungary, its cheapest and dearest countries.
- What are the best alternatives to Hue Essentials?
- Philips Hue (4.7 from 453,901 reviews, premium from $0.99), IKEA Home smart 1 (4.2 from 76,965 reviews) and Home Assistant (4.7 from 21,047 reviews).
Hue Essentials download
Last updated 5 days ago.
Hue Essentials sells in 175 countries. It was released 6 years and 9 months ago, on 2 Jan 2020. It holds a 4.2 rating from 901 reviews.
Supports 41 languages: English, Amharic, Arabic, Assamese, Bangla, Breton, Bulgarian, Catalan, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French, Western Frisian, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Malayalam, Marathi, Norwegian Bokmål, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Romanian, Russian, Chinese, Slovak, Spanish, Swedish, Tamil, Thai, Turkish, Ukrainian, Vietnamese.
How much does Hue Essentials make?
Third-party estimates for the last 30 days, worldwide — not the store's own figures, which Apple publishes for nobody.
Revenue by plan
- One-time 100%
Revenue by country
- Germany 23%
- United States 18%
- Netherlands 11%
- Denmark 11%