Comparison

DMXcat® vs Set Light

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

Head to head
About

DMXcat®

Control, analyze, and test DMX lighting fixtures wirelessly from your smartphone. This system uses a hardware dongle and free mobile apps to simplify lighting control without complex consoles. It supports various functions like DMX and RDM control, fixture management, and DIP switch calculations.

Highlights
  • Wireless DMX and RDM control
  • Fixture control with built-in database
  • DMX analysis and testing
  • DIP switch calculator
  • Multi-language support
Features
Read full description

DMXcat® makes it easy for anyone to control, analyze, or test any DMX lighting fixture, whether it’s a simple LED PAR or a complex moving light. The system consists of a small hardware dongle (purchased separately) and a suite of free mobile applications. Together, they combine to bring wireless DMX and RDM control plus other useful lighting functions to the user’s smartphone. The DMXcat solves the problem faced by all users of modern lighting equipment: How to turn on and test DMX lighting gear without using a complicated lighting console. DMXcat app is now available in seven languages: Spanish, French, German, Italian, Korean, Japanese, and English. Software Applications There are currently five apps available for use with the DMXcat system: •DMX Controller: A single universe (512) DMX channel controller with two user interfaces (sliders or keypad). •Fixture Controller: Controls multi-attribute fixtures from a built in database. •RDM Controller: For bi-directional communication and control of RDM enabled devices. •DMX Tester: Analyze and adjust settings for transmitting or receiving DMX. •DIP switch calculator: Simplifies the configuring of DIP switches used for setting DMX addresses. Hardware The DMXcat’s hardware interface is a compact battery powered device which fits easily in a pocket or tool pouch or may be worn on a belt. It uses Bluetooth LE technology for communication with the smartphone applications (up to 50’ range). Without the limitations of being physically connected, the user can move about the workspace as needed with their smartphone and run the various apps while still using the phone for on-the-job communication. The device’s five pin XLRF connector/cable assembly allows it to be connected to a point in a DMX data chain to test or control of the various DMX/RDM functions. It is charged using a standard USB to Micro-USB cable and charger. Other features include a built-in LED flashlight, an audible alarm for locating a misplaced unit, XLR5M to XLR5M Turnaround, LED status indicator, and a removable belt clip with a split ring safety point. Optional accessories include XLR5M to RJ45 Adapter, XLR5M to XLR3F Adapter, XLR5M to XLR3M Turnaround, and a Belt Pouch.

About

Set Light

Configure ETC products wirelessly using NFC or a Bluetooth bridge. Address and set RDM labels, personalities, and DMX addresses for your fixtures. Plan configurations in advance and push them when ready.

Highlights
  • NFC configuration of ETC products
  • Wireless addressing and configuration
  • Bluetooth bridge connectivity
  • RDM label, personality, and DMX address setting
  • Save and push configurations
Features
Read full description

Set Light provides NFC configuration of your ETC products. Hold your mobile device to the NFC tag of a compatible product to wirelessly address and configure it. You can transfer information via NFC even if power is off. You can also connect to your ETC and High End Systems fixtures via a bluetooth bridge such as City Theatrical’s DMXcat® or Multiverse® Transmitter. Once connected, identify and set the RDM label, personality, and DMX address of your fixtures. Save time by planning your configurations in advance and pushing them to your fixtures when ready.

Screenshots

DMXcat®4 screens
Set Light4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: DMXcat® at 68% against Set Light's 0%. DMXcat® also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.0). Set Light's advantage is rating (4.5 vs 3.9). On price, ratings volume, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Set Light holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 26 and 12 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 68% of DMXcat®'s written reviews are positive against 0% of Set Light's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

DMXcat® ships an update every 5 weeks, Set Light every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 9, 2026 and September 19, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
DMXcat® versus Set Light: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDMXcat®Set Light
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.9 (26 ratings)4.5 (12 ratings) — better
Positive reviews68.4% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings26 — better12
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeks — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size43 MB31 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperCity Theatrical, IncElectronic Theatre Controls, Inc.

Customer experience

DMXcat®

All ratings26 ratings
Positive73.1%
Neutral3.8%
Negative23.1%
Written reviews19 reviews
Positive68.4%
Neutral5.3%
Negative26.3%

Set Light

All ratings12 ratings
Positive83.3%
Neutral8.3%
Negative8.3%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral100.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

DMXcat®

No in-app purchases

None

Set Light

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is DMXcat® free?
DMXcat® is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Set Light free?
Set Light is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, DMXcat® or Set Light?
Set Light is rated higher. DMXcat® averages 3.9 out of 5 from 26 ratings, while Set Light averages 4.5 from 12 ratings.
Do DMXcat® or Set Light have ads?
Neither DMXcat® nor Set Light shows ads.
Which is updated more often, DMXcat® or Set Light?
DMXcat® ships an update every 5 weeks, and Set Light every 2 months. Most recently, DMXcat® was updated on September 9, 2026 and Set Light on September 19, 2026.

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