Aurora RGB vs Nexus

Aurora RGB7.7Visit Nexus7.6Visit

Higher score Aurora RGB #12 in RGB Lighting Software 7.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit Aurora RGB

vs

Nexus #13 in RGB Lighting Software 7.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit Nexus

• Aurora RGB fits best

  Open-source multi-brand RGB enthusiasts

• Nexus fits best

  Cross-platform RGB power users

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Side by side

Feature	Aurora RGB 7.7/10 Visit ↗	Nexus 7.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	7.7	7.6
Ranking	#12 in RGB Lighting Software	#13 in RGB Lighting Software
Best for	Open-source multi-brand RGB enthusiasts	Cross-platform RGB power users
Pricing model	Free	Free
Starting price	Free plan	Free
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop, Mobile
Platforms	Windows	Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Integrations	13 integrations	6 integrations
Features Aurora RGB 4/4 · Nexus 4/4
Addressable RGB control	✓	✓
Cross-device sync	✓	✓
Lighting profiles	✓	✓
Game lighting effects	✓	✓
Specs
Device scope	Both	Both
Maximum profiles	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Controls peripherals and Wi-Fi lights across multiple brands Layered effects, gradients, profiles, and keybinds support customization Game integrations, audio visualization, and scripting extend lighting options	Controls RGB components, peripherals, hubs, and smart lights Offers screen, audio, and game-linked lighting effects Runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android
Cons	Windows-only distribution rules out macOS and Linux setups Device support depends on native or OpenRGB integrations Its focus is RGB lighting rather than broader device management	Hardware and lighting control are combined with system controls Game-linked lighting depends on supported interfaces Mobile apps complement a desktop-focused hardware-control app
Our verdict	Aurora RGB is open-source software for controlling RGB peripherals and lighting devices from multiple brands. It is aimed at Windows users who want one place to manage supported keyboards, mice, mousepads, fans, and Wi-Fi lights. Layered… Read the review →	Nexus is a free, open-source application for controlling PC hardware and RGB lighting, aimed at people who want to coordinate effects across components, peripherals, and smart lights. It supports Windows, Apple Silicon macOS, and x86-64… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Aurora RGB — where it wins

  • Controls peripherals and Wi-Fi lights across multiple brands
  • Layered effects, gradients, profiles, and keybinds support customization
  • Game integrations, audio visualization, and scripting extend lighting options

  Where it doesn't

  • Windows-only distribution rules out macOS and Linux setups
  • Device support depends on native or OpenRGB integrations
  • Its focus is RGB lighting rather than broader device management

• Nexus — where it wins

  • Controls RGB components, peripherals, hubs, and smart lights
  • Offers screen, audio, and game-linked lighting effects
  • Runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android

  Where it doesn't

  • Hardware and lighting control are combined with system controls
  • Game-linked lighting depends on supported interfaces
  • Mobile apps complement a desktop-focused hardware-control app

• Aurora RGB7.7/10 · Free plan

  A free, Windows-only RGB controller for multi-brand devices, profiles, and game-linked effects.

  Visit Aurora RGBFull verdict →
• Nexus7.6/10 · Free plan

  A no-cost RGB control app with mapped LEDs, sync effects, and game-linked lighting.

  Visit NexusFull verdict →