Comparison

StageLight vs Ctrl for iPad

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

StageLight

This professional lighting control app allows users to manage and control lighting fixtures via Art-Net (DMX512 over IP). It offers a flexible interface, fixture libraries, MIDI integration, and the ability to record and playback cues and cue lists.

Highlights
  • Art-Net (DMX512 over IP) control
  • Up to 10 DMX universes
  • Fixture library based on Open Fixture Library
  • MIDI controller integration
  • Record and playback Cues and Cue Lists
  • Ableton Link synchronization
  • CITP and OSC protocol support
Features
Read full description

StageLight is a professional lighting control app for the iPad based on Art-Net (DMX512 over IP). The software combines the classic hardware lighting console feeling with a modern and intuitive user interaction design. The user interface is characterized by intelligent use of available space in combination with a high level of flexibility. MULTIPLE UNIVERSES Manage and control fixtures and groups across up to 10 DMX universes. FIXTURE LIBRARY StageLight offers an extensive fixture library based on the Open Fixture Library. New additions include GDTF file import, continued support for StageLight legacy fixtures, and a fixture editor for creating and customizing your own fixtures. MIDI Connect a MIDI controller and turn StageLight into a hardware-style lighting console, or synchronize cue lists with your preferred DAW. CONTROL CHANNELS StageLight is fixture-based. You can assign a single device, a group, or a cue list to a channel across up to 200 pages. IMPORT AND EXPORT Import and export projects or custom fixtures. Project export supports selectable options for fixture patching, cue lists / effects, and settings. Additional print exports are available, including patch sheets, fixture labels, and fixture lists. Use any sharing service such as iCloud, Dropbox, or AirDrop to share projects with friends, colleagues, or between different iPads. CUES AND CUE LISTS Record cues and play them back in cue lists as sequences or chases. Various trigger and sync options are supported, including Global BPM, Ableton Link, and MIDI Clock. EFFECTS Effects in StageLight enable dynamic lighting transitions directly inside cue lists. This allows you to combine static scenes with moving or rhythm-based effects to create more vivid and flexible shows. ABLETON LINK Ableton Link is a technology that synchronizes beat, phase, and tempo between Ableton Live and other Link-enabled applications (DAWs) over the network. In StageLight, Ableton Link is used to synchronize chaser tempo. CITP StageLight uses the Controller Interface Transport Protocol (CITP) to record cues, retrieve thumbnails, and select fixtures in Capture. OSC In StageLight, you can use the Open Sound Control (OSC) protocol to control supported devices with OSC commands. CRMX & W-DMX StageLight supports LumenRadio's Bluetooth DMX protocol, enabling communication with all LumenRadio and OEM products. STAGELIGHT API The StageLight API allows external control of key functions such as cue lists, fixture channels, and tempo. It is relevant for integrations with Companion and Stream Deck and extends StageLight with flexible connectivity to external control systems.

About

Ctrl for iPad

Create, edit, and run custom control interfaces for multiple devices. Trigger commands using various protocols like MIDI, OSC, and HTTP. Share workspaces across devices and customize your interface with custom palettes and images.

Highlights
  • All-in-one interface for building and running workspaces
  • Trigger multiple commands via MIDI, OSC, HTTP, TCP, UDP
  • Mix and match control protocols
  • Share workspaces across devices with file sharing and AirDrop
  • Customizable control palettes and interface design
  • Support for various control elements like buttons, sliders, and crossfaders
Read full description

- All in One Build, Edit and Run. All from one interface With Ctrl there's no need to ever leave the app. Create workspaces quickly, make changes in realtime and be ready to run your workspace all with a tap of a few buttons. - Mix and Match Trigger multiple commands using multiple protocols Build advanced interfaces with the flexible rules and command system. Trigger remote devices using MIDI, OSC, HTTP, TCP and UDP or mix them to control multiple device types. Playback audio locally and video over HDMI and AirPlay. - Share Work between device multiple devices with ease Why limit yourself to one device? Easily import and export workspaces and share between devices with file sharing and AirDrop support. - Customise Make Ctrl your own with custom control palettes Design colour palettes for your workspaces that match specifications Use the in-app palette builder or access pre-built styles online Set custom images or logos to suit your interface Set custom background images to make a completely unique interface design Controls - Buttons that allow control with single or multiple touches - Sliders that allow control with a variable value output - Steppers that allow variable control with set intervals - Crossfaders that allow control with a variable value output - Rotaries that allow control of rotation or parametric values - Descriptors that allow for information to be added your workspace - Custom built modules that control third party hardware & software - And more Control Protocols - MIDI / Musical Instrument Digital Interface - OSC / Open Sound Control - HTTP / HTTP/1.1 Methods, Headers, Body - TCP / Transmission Control Protocol - UDP / User Datagram Protocol - Audio Playback - Video Playback - sACN / Lighting Control [BETA] API Methods - MIDI - OSC - HTTP This app is provided by default to download at no cost. This trial version is designed for users to test the basic functions of the application, production use is not supported. Outputting from Ctrl for iPad will be disabled after 5 minutes of use without a Lite, Core or Pro license. If you are looking at Ctrl for iPad for a project or installation and want to try the full features of the app, contact our team through our website.

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: StageLight at 84% against Ctrl for iPad's 40%. StageLight also leads on rating (3.8 vs 3.3) and update cadence (monthly vs every 2 months). Ctrl for iPad's advantage is iOS requirement (15.6 vs 17.0). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. StageLight sells 10 one-off in-app purchases and Ctrl for iPad sells 6 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

StageLight holds the better App Store score, 3.8 against 3.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 8 and 7 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 84% of StageLight's written reviews are positive against 40% of Ctrl for iPad's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

StageLight ships an update monthly, Ctrl for iPad every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and June 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
StageLight versus Ctrl for iPad: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterStageLightCtrl for iPad
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.8 (8 ratings) — better3.3 (7 ratings)
Positive reviews84.2% of reviews — better40.0% of reviews
Number of ratings8 — better7
Update frequencyMonthly — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPadiPad
Requires iOS17.015.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size32 MB38 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMarko SeifertON LX Limited

Customer experience

StageLight

All ratings8 ratings
Positive62.5%
Neutral25.0%
Negative12.5%
Written reviews19 reviews
Positive84.2%
Neutral10.5%
Negative5.3%

Ctrl for iPad

All ratings7 ratings
Positive57.1%
Neutral0.0%
Negative42.9%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive40.0%
Neutral20.0%
Negative40.0%

In-app purchases

10 purchases

StageLight

One-time10
  • Upgrade S to XL$12.99
  • Premium S$19.99
  • Upgrade L to XL$24.99
Show 7 more
  • Premium L + MIDI$29.99
  • Upgrade S to XL$34.99
  • Upgrade XL to Ultimate$34.99
  • Premium XL + MIDI + CITP$49.99
  • Upgrade L to Ultimate$59.99
  • Upgrade S to Ultimate$69.99
  • Ultimate + MIDI + CITP$79.99
6 purchases

Ctrl for iPad

One-time6
  • Lite$14.99
  • Lite to Core Upgrade$37.99
  • Core to Pro Upgrade$44.99
Show 3 more
  • Core$59.99
  • Lite to Pro Upgrade$84.99
  • Pro$99.99

Questions

Is StageLight free?
StageLight is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Ctrl for iPad free?
Ctrl for iPad is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, StageLight or Ctrl for iPad?
StageLight is rated higher. StageLight averages 3.8 out of 5 from 8 ratings, while Ctrl for iPad averages 3.3 from 7 ratings.
Do StageLight or Ctrl for iPad have ads?
Neither StageLight nor Ctrl for iPad shows ads.
Which is updated more often, StageLight or Ctrl for iPad?
StageLight ships an update monthly, and Ctrl for iPad every 2 months. Most recently, StageLight was updated on September 23, 2026 and Ctrl for iPad on June 1, 2026.

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