Overview
Crest is a macOS utility that transforms the MacBook notch into an interactive hub. It offers modules for Now Playing, a dashboard, system stats, calendar, tasks, translation, and more. The app is free to use with four modules, and a one-time Pro purchase ($19.99) unlocks 13 additional modules. Crest runs on-device, ensuring privacy, and works on macOS 14+ (Apple Silicon & Intel).
Huebert is a professional color toolkit for web creatives. It provides tools for generating color palettes, creating high-contrast color pairs, generating shadcn/ui themes, extracting colors from images, and more. AI assistance is available in the Pro tier. Huebert is web-based, with a free Basic tier and a Pro subscription (€4.90/month) that unlocks advanced features, a personal library, and API access.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Crest | Huebert |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Function | Mac notch utility: media, dashboard, system stats, productivity | Color toolkit: palette generation, theme creation, accessibility |
| Platform | macOS 14+ (Apple Silicon & Intel) | Web-based (browser), API |
| Free Tier | 4 modules (Now Playing, Dashboard, Shelf, Clipboard) | Basic palette generator, background generator, image color picker, exports |
| Paid Tier | $19.99 one-time for 13 more modules | €4.90/month for AI, advanced generators, library, API |
| AI Features | Quick AI & AI Coding modules (Pro) | AI-powered palette and theme generation (Pro) |
| Accessibility | Not applicable | WCAG/APCA contrast checks, color blindness simulation |
| Export Options | Not applicable | CSS, SCSS, Tailwind, JSON, CSV, JS, image, SVG, XML, gradient, URL |
| Account Required | No (email for Pro purchase) | No for Basic; yes for Pro |
| Privacy | On-device, private | Web-based, server processing for some features |
| Target User | MacBook notch users | Web designers, developers, creatives |
Pricing
Crest: Free forever with 4 modules. Crest Pro is $19.99 one-time payment, includes all 17 modules, free updates, and use on up to 2 Macs. No subscription.
Huebert: Basic tier is free. Huebert Pro is €4.90/month (excl. taxes), includes AI features, high contrast generator, shadcn/ui theme generator, personal library, API access, and all future features. Cancel anytime.
Pros and Cons
Crest
Pros:
- One-time payment, no subscription
- On-device and private
- Turns the Mac notch into a useful, glanceable hub
- 17 modules covering media, productivity, system stats, and AI
- Free tier is genuinely useful
Cons:
- Only works on MacBooks with a notch (macOS 14+)
- Limited to Mac ecosystem
- Some users may not need all modules
Huebert
Pros:
- Comprehensive color toolkit for web creatives
- AI-powered generation saves time
- Strong accessibility features (WCAG/APCA)
- Multiple export formats
- Free tier covers basic needs
Cons:
- Subscription model (€4.90/month) may not suit everyone
- Web-based, requires internet for full features
- Niche audience – only useful for design/development work
Verdict
Crest and Huebert serve completely different purposes. Crest is a Mac notch utility that enhances productivity and media control for MacBook users, with a one-time price. Huebert is a web-based color toolkit for designers and developers, offering AI-powered palette and theme generation with a subscription. Choose Crest if you want to make the most of your MacBook's notch; choose Huebert if you need professional color tools for web design.
Crest
Huebert