ASUS Armoury Crate vs Nexus

ASUS Armoury Crate is free Windows software for managing ASUS and ROG gaming PCs and connected hardware. It provides device lighting, firmware updates, macros, key or button assignments, fan control, audio and performance settings, with available controls varying by model. Aura Sync coordinates lighting across supported devices, while Aura Creator provides a video-editing-style interface for layered LED effects. Scenario Profiles can switch operating modes and system settings for individual games and apps. Game Library organizes downloaded PC games, and Game Deals lists rotating discounts and weekly offers for ROG VIPs. Users can create a profile, register products and download drivers, firmware and apps. ASUS lists Windows 10 version 1903 or later and Windows 11. Installation options include a device-detecting framework installer or a full package for manual and offline installation. Supported hardware includes headsets, graphics cards, power supplies, mice, motherboards, mousepads, CPU coolers, laptops, desktops, keyboards and monitors. Aura Sync no longer supports Xiaomi Light Strips.

Nexus combines PC hardware monitoring, fan and pump control, and RGB lighting in one free app. It shows live CPU, GPU, memory, network, disk, fan, and temperature readings, with per-game FPS history on Windows. Its GPU-rendered lighting engine offers screen sync, audio sync, and Game Sync. Users can set fan and pump curves from any system temperature sensor or leave selected devices on BIOS or firmware settings. Nexus uses its own device drivers and a bundled OpenRGB build; hardware support depends on the exact model. A phone browser can act as a remote panel, using an encrypted relay outside the home network and switching to a direct connection when possible. The app works locally and offline without an account, while optional anonymous telemetry can be controlled in settings. Nexus runs on 64-bit Windows 10 or 11, Apple Silicon Macs, and x86-64 Linux. It has no builds for Windows on ARM, Intel Macs, or ARM Linux. Companion iOS and Android apps are not yet in the app stores.