Comparison

StageLight vs VF retail

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

VF retail

This in-store application assists tourists with tax-free refund processes. It is exclusively for retail partners of Vatfree.com. Interested businesses should contact Vatfree.com to establish a partnership.

Highlights
  • Tourist tax-free refund assistance
  • In-store application
  • Partnership required for use
  • Facilitates VAT refund process
Features
Read full description

Vatfree.com in-store app for assisting tourists with a tax-free refund. This app is only available for store owners that have partnered with Vatfree.com. Please contact Vatfree.com to become a partner.

Screenshots

VF retail2 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: StageLight at 3.8 against VF retail's 1.0. StageLight also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months) and ratings volume (8 vs 1). VF retail's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 10) and device support (3 vs 1). On price and ads 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. VF retail asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

StageLight holds the better App Store score, 3.8 against 1.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: StageLight has 8 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

StageLight ships an update every 3 weeks, VF retail every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 18, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
StageLight versus VF retail: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterStageLightVF retail
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.8 (8 ratings) — better1.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews84.2% of reviews—
Number of ratings8 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.012.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size32 MB38 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMarko SeifertVATfree NL B.V.

Customer experience

StageLight

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

VF retail

All ratings1 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

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
None

VF retail

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is StageLight free?
StageLight is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is VF retail free?
VF retail is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, StageLight or VF retail?
StageLight is rated higher. StageLight averages 3.8 out of 5 from 8 ratings, while VF retail averages 1.0 from 1 ratings.
Do StageLight or VF retail have ads?
Neither StageLight nor VF retail shows ads.
Which is updated more often, StageLight or VF retail?
StageLight ships an update every 3 weeks, and VF retail every 2 months. Most recently, StageLight was updated on October 24, 2026 and VF retail on October 18, 2026.

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