# StageLight vs VF retail

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.

Both are free to download. StageLight sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. VF retail asks for nothing beyond the download.

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | StageLight | VF retail |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[3.8 (8 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stagelight-dmx-controller/id1118851633/reviews)** | [1.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vf-retail/id1483764046/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **8** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 84.2% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 32 MB | 38 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **12.0** |
| Devices | iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Marko Seifert](https://appshunter.io/developer/1118851632) | [VATfree NL B.V.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1141738493) |

## 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 |


### VF retail

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vf-retail/id1483764046)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


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