# StageLight vs Ctrl for iPad

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.

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.

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | StageLight | Ctrl for iPad |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[3.8 (8 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stagelight-dmx-controller/id1118851633/reviews)** | [3.3 (7 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ctrl-for-ipad/id1247514528/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **8** | 7 |
| Positive reviews | **84.2% of reviews** | 40.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Monthly** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 32 MB | 38 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **15.6** |
| Devices | iPad | iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Marko Seifert](https://appshunter.io/developer/1118851632) | [ON LX Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/1216537447) |

## What reviewers say

### StageLight

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stagelight-dmx-controller/id1118851633)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Upgrade S to XL | $12.99 | one-time |
| Premium S | $19.99 | one-time |
| Upgrade L to XL | $24.99 | one-time |
| Premium L + MIDI | $29.99 | one-time |
| Upgrade S to XL | $34.99 | one-time |
| Upgrade XL to Ultimate | $34.99 | one-time |
| Premium XL + MIDI + CITP | $49.99 | one-time |
| Upgrade L to Ultimate | $59.99 | one-time |
| Upgrade S to Ultimate | $69.99 | one-time |
| Ultimate + MIDI + CITP | $79.99 | one-time |


### Ctrl for iPad

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ctrl-for-ipad/id1247514528)

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

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Lite | $14.99 | one-time |
| Lite to Core Upgrade | $37.99 | one-time |
| Core to Pro Upgrade | $44.99 | one-time |
| Core | $59.99 | one-time |
| Lite to Pro Upgrade | $84.99 | one-time |
| Pro | $99.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked 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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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*