BLINK Hub vs Photon
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
BLINK Hub
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Take control of a multi-camera film or television shoot using Timecode Systems’ free and easy to use production dashboard and device control app. Take control of a multi-camera film or television shoot using Timecode Systems’ free and easy to use production dashboard and device control app. BLINK Hub allows film and broadcast production teams to remotely monitor and control not only multiple Timecode Systems units but also any compatible cameras and audio devices they are connected to from a single screen. This gives crews access to the complete production workflow from wherever they are - in the studio, on set or on location – directly from their iPhone, iPad or Macbook. What it can do? From the app users can: • Access a real-time dashboard displaying every Timecode Systems unit on set in one place. • Monitor and control the battery levels, sync status and settings of any Timecode Systems devices in use (:pulse, :wave, SyncBac PRO, :minitrx+, UltraSync One and UltraSync Blue are all compatible). • Adjust settings, monitor battery levels, hit record and pause any compatible cameras and audio devices directly from the app. When is this useful? • On multi-camera shoots where there are several sources of sound and video. • To save time in post-production by making sure multi-camera footage and sound is synchronised at the point of shooting rather than relying on a costly manual fix during the edit. • Remotely controlling GoPro HERO4, HERO6 and HERO7 cameras that have been rigged in difficult to access locations. Getting started – choose your BLINK master unit The BLINK Hub is a feature embedded within Timecode Systems’ flagship :wave and :pulse products. • To monitor and control multiple Timecode Systems’ devices you can use either the :pulse or the :wave as your BLINK master unit. • To control multiple Timecode Systems units plus a Sound Device 6-Series mixer/recorder, you can use the :pulse or the :wave as the BLINK master unit. • To control multiple Timecode Systems units and GoPro HERO cameras, the :pulse must be the BLINK master unit. Four simple steps to launch the BLINK HUB 1. Set a :pulse or :wave as your timecode master. 2. Attach an UltraSync One or SyncBac PRO (as appropriate) to all camera and audio devices on set. This ensures all sources of sound and picture are synced. 3. Use either the WiFi connectivity of the :pulse or :wave or the Ethernet connection on your :pulse to activate the BLINK Hub app. 4. That’s it! All of your devices are synchronised and you can start controlling the workflow centrally from a simple dashboard on your device. A few technical notes: As a web based application, connection to the BLINK Hub is via either: • WiFi (connected using the simultaneous WiFi feature of the :pulse or :wave) or • A wired connection to the Ethernet port on the :pulse Timecode synchronisation, timecode and metadata exchange and wireless device control is over long-range and incredibly reliable BLINK RF.
Photon
Control DMX lighting wirelessly for events, clubs, and theaters. Create sequences, synchronize lights to music with beat tracking, and manage fixtures with a user-friendly interface. Offers advanced features via in-app purchase.
- Wireless Art-Net/sACN DMX control
- Multi-touch interface optimized for iPad
- Light group management
- Scene and animation creation
- Beat tracker for music synchronization
- Fixture database and creator
- Sequencer with timeline editing
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Photon, the next generation of professional user friendly DMX lighting console perfect for nightclubs, musicians, live events, filmmakers, theaters... Wireless (Art-Net or sACN through WIFI) and easy to use, Photon reinvents the way to control DMX devices with its single interface for all your lights. Indeed, combine multiple presets to a sequence and synchronize your lights to music. Our beat tracker listens and animates your devices to the rhythm of the music. Live events will have no more secret for you. Features of the free version: - Multi-touch interface designed and optimized for the iPad. ⁃ Light group management. Associate multiple lights together to perform similar controls (colors, positions, brightness ...). - Classic DMX console for sophisticated controls (gobos/fog/focus...) ⁃ Managing scenes. Create and play animations/effects on your lights. ⁃ Smart color manager. ⁃ Art-Net /sACN / DMX output channel analyzer. ⁃ Complete control of an Art-Net universe with 512 channels. ⁃ Art-Net in multicast or unicast. ⁃ sACN in multicast or unicast. ⁃ Database with hundreds of pre-configured devices (fixtures). - Fixture creator to configure your custom devices. Features of the in-app purchase: ⁃ Sound analyzer : sync your lights to music. ⁃ Multi scene / multi group sequencer. Combine multiple cues to a sequence and animate it. ⁃ Edit your sequences as in a video editor with the timeline. ⁃ Automatic, manual or semi-automatic beat control for the sequencer. - Ableton Link support : Sync lights animations with your favorite DJ app or musical instrument. Link is a technology that keeps devices in time over a local network for a perfect synchronization between lights and music. ⁃ Management of the animation curve in/out. - Background mode * Requires an Art-Net (or sACN) Bridge to DMX. Photon is based on the open lighting architecture (open lighting project). ** Purchase of the "Sequencer" with the in-app purchase
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: BLINK Hub at none against Photon's 1. BLINK Hub also leads on device support (3 vs 1). Photon's advantage is iOS requirement (10 vs 12.0). On price, update cadence 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
Both are free to download. Photon sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. BLINK Hub asks for nothing beyond the download.
BLINK Hub ships an update every 3 months, Photon every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 15, 2026 and June 1, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | BLINK Hub | Photon |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | 4.4 (27 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | — | 41.7% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | — | 27 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Every 6 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | — | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPad |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 | 10 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 8 MB | 36 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Atomos Ltd. | Photon Studio |
In-app purchases
BLINK Hub
No in-app purchases
Photon
- Light Sequencer$24.99









