In one minute
Official features, free → the Sonos app. You need it for setup and updates anyway.
Voice control in Chinese or Cantonese, control from WeChat, QQ Music and NetEase → ZoneFoundry (free).
Mostly Apple Watch and widgets → Lyd (14-day trial, $8.99 one-time).
Every Apple device (Mac, Apple TV, Vision Pro) → Clic (yearly or lifetime).
Still on S1 → Clic, Lyd or SonoPhone. ZoneFoundry supports S2 only.
All 8 at a glance
| App | Price (US) | US ratings | Devices | Best at |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sonos (official) | Free | — | iPhone, iPad, Android | Setup, updates, adding music service accounts; Shortcuts since June, lock-screen Live Activity since August |
| ZoneFoundry | Free | 1 (5.0) | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, web console | Voice control in Mandarin, Cantonese and English; control from WeChat, QQ and Telegram; QQ Music and NetEase |
| Lyd | 14-day trial, $8.99 one-time | 352 (4.39) | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch | Apple Watch: crown volume, complications; widgets and lock screen |
| Clic | 2-week trial, $14.99/yr or $80 lifetime | 280 (4.40) | iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, Apple Watch, Vision Pro | Every Apple platform; Plex, Subsonic, Navidrome; cross-service playlist editing |
| Orto | $5.99 | 45 (3.98) | iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, Apple TV | NFC tag triggers, share sheet |
| Sonement | $9.99 (store price) | None yet (launched July) | iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, Apple TV | Merged search across services, library insights |
| Soro | $7.99 | 114 (4.07) | iOS | 30+ Siri and Shortcuts actions |
| SonoPhone | $3.99 | 234 (4.42) | iOS | Long-standing; works with S1 and older iOS |
Prices and ratings are US App Store figures pulled from Apple's iTunes lookup API on 2026-09-28 and may change — the App Store is the source of truth. Sonement is listed at $9.99 but its website says “7-day trial, then one-time purchase”; the two don't match. Devices and features are as stated on each developer's site and App Store page.
Where ZoneFoundry falls short
- No Mac, Apple TV or Vision Pro app (a Mac app is planned). For those, pick Clic, Orto or Sonement.
- S2 only. If you're still on S1, pick Clic, Lyd or SonoPhone.
- Very few ratings: it launched on 2026-08-30 and has 1 US rating and 3 in China. Lyd and Clic have hundreds.
- The Apple Watch app isn't as deep as Lyd's: crown volume and complications are Lyd's strengths.
- No volume or mute buttons on the lock-screen card in the current version — the official Sonos app has them.
What only ZoneFoundry does
- Say it in Mandarin, Cantonese or English. As far as we could find, none of the other 7 lets you ask for music in Chinese; the official Sonos AI features (27mcp, 27voice) are US English only for now.
- Control it by messaging in WeChat, QQ or Telegram — family members don't need the app.
- Search QQ Music, NetEase Cloud Music, Apple Music and Spotify at once.
- Siri works once you've opened the app — no need to build Shortcuts first — and there are about 38 actions in the Shortcuts app.
- Free. Every launch feature is free; if an advanced subscription arrives later, core control stays free.
Pick by what you need
Start with what matters most to you
- ChineseChinese voice, WeChat, QQ MusicZoneFoundry (free)
- WatchMostly Apple Watch and widgetsLyd ($8.99 one-time)
- Every platformMac, Apple TV and Vision Pro tooClic, Orto, Sonement
- S1Still on the S1 systemClic, Lyd, SonoPhone
Whichever you pick, you still need the official Sonos app to set up speakers and install updates.
For a feature-by-feature look at the official app and ZoneFoundry (Siri, Shortcuts, lock screen, widgets, AI control), see ZoneFoundry vs the Sonos app.
FAQ
Do I still need the official Sonos app?
Yes. Setting up speakers, installing updates and adding music service accounts can only be done in the official app. Third-party apps add to it; they don't replace it.
Does ZoneFoundry support S1?
No — S2 only. If you're on S1, look at Clic, Lyd or SonoPhone.
Will ZoneFoundry start charging?
Every launch feature is free. If an advanced subscription arrives later, its price, billing period and contents will be shown clearly in the app before purchase, and core control stays free.
How current are the prices and ratings?
They're from the US App Store on 2026-09-28. Prices and ratings change, so check the App Store before you buy; we'll update this page when something changes noticeably.
Want to just say it and have it play?
ZoneFoundry is a free iOS app that works with the Sonos system you already have — no extra hardware.