Comparison

Wily! vs Photon 2

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

Head to head
About

Wily!

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Wily! is a virtual control surface for controlling the lighting software PREGO (E.GO Controls) and HATHOR (ADB). Wily! synthesizes the characteristic accesses of the lighting consoles (hardwares) with the feedback of the softwares. Wily! had been designed to allow the light creation process to be uninterrupted and collegial. It is possible to work together, from several places simultaneously on one or several PREGO or HATHOR stations. Its simplicity of handling makes it a tool for all. It will give the necessary feedback to the lighting engineers, allowing them to intervene on their light in symbiosis with the showroom and electricians. Efficient and indispensable, you will appreciate it as well in creation, operation or on tour. Characteristics : - easy handling - modularity (each additional iPad multiplies the amount of accesses) - wired or wireless operation - personalization options per user - "console" mode or "client" mode - secure connection - allows to extend the accesses of compatible consoles PREGO + HATHOR - Ergonomics designed for main console use - ideal as backup, complement, tour, feedback, preparation ... - multi-iPad work simultaneously (independent or coupled) - plug'n'play - full access to playback registers (playbacks, fields, independents, playback master, Grand master ...) - control of moving lights - full access to all types of records - Channels information throughout the pipe - calibration of color changers with copy functions - full access to patch - and many others ! Notes: The purchase of PREGO or HATHOR software is essential. Wily! also works with PREGO or HATHOR offline, UNO128 and OnPC.

About

Photon 2

This app provides a professional lighting console for controlling DMX and Philips Hue devices wirelessly. It allows users to create custom interfaces, manage lights, and synchronize effects to music for live events, performances, and filmmaking.

Highlights
  • Wireless Art-Net/sACN DMX control
  • Philips Hue Entertainment integration
  • Customizable user interface
  • Scene and sequence creation
  • Beat synchronization to music
  • MIDI controller support
Features
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Let's create your show with Photon 2. The next generation of professional DMX & Philips Hue lighting console has been rebuilt from the ground up for a better live experience. User-friendly and customizable, Photon 2 is perfect for musicians, nightclubs, live events, filmmakers, theater, stages… ◈ Wireless (Art-Net or sACN through WIFI) and ready to use, Photon reinvents the way to control DMX devices & Philips Hue*** with its single interface for all your lights. ◈ Create presets, combine them in sequences and synchronize your lights to music. Our beat tracker listens and animates your devices to the music rhythm. Live events will have no more secret for you. ◈ Want to turn your iPad into a real elegant personalized lighting control platform? The app features ground-breaking concepts that let you create your own user interface designed to make tasks practical and more intuitive. Connect external MIDI controllers like keyboards, pads, timecoders or others apps/softwares to control your fixtures. FEATURES (FREE VERSION) - 16 DMX channels - Multi-touch interface designed and optimized for iPad - Light group management. Link multiple lights together to perform the same action (colors, positions, brightness...) - Supports advanced controls (gobos/fog machine, focus) - Scene management: create presets, animate them in sequences - Create your dashboard and organize it as you wish - Art-Net/sACN/DMX channel monitor - Art-Net/sACN in multicast or unicast - Philips Hue Entertainment connection*** - Database with hundreds of pre-configured devices (fixtures) - Fixture creator to configure your devices STARTER (ONE-TIME PURCHASE) - 128 DMX channels - Create as many buttons (widgets) on your dashboard as you want - Enjoy the power of automatic BeatTracker and sync your lights to live music - Ableton Link support: sync your lights with your favorite DJ app or musical instruments - Background operation mode (Live Mode) PHOTON+ (SUBSCRIPTION) Everything in Starter included, plus: - 512 DMX channels (full universe) - Multi-Dashboard: create multiple dashboards to organize your widgets by lighting type, zone, or function. Swipe between them instantly during live performance - MIDI inputs: control dashboard buttons/faders with physical MIDI controllers (pads) or virtual ones (apps) - All next features on going * Requires an Art-Net to DMX bridge. Photon relies on Open Lighting Architecture (Open Lighting Project). *** Philips Hue Entertainment requires a Hue v2 or Pro bridge.

Screenshots

Wily!4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Wily! at none against Photon 2's 5. Wily! also leads on device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (12.4 vs 15.6). Photon 2's advantage is update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 7 months). 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. Photon 2 sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $29.99 per year. Wily! asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Wily! ships an update every 7 months, Photon 2 every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and October 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Wily! versus Photon 2: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterWily!Photon 2
PriceFreeFree
Rating—4.5 (72 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—80.8% of reviews
Number of ratings—72 — better
Update frequencyEvery 7 monthsEvery 5 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
Monetization—Free with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPad
Requires iOS12.4 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size216 MB46 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPangolabPhoton Studio

In-app purchases

None

Wily!

No in-app purchases

5 purchases

Photon 2

Subscriptions2
  • Photon+ Founder$29.991 Year
  • Photon+$59.991 Year
One-time3
  • Starter Plan$44.99
  • Pro Plan$64.99
  • Pro Plan$79.99

Questions

Is Wily! free?
Wily! is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Photon 2 free?
Photon 2 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Wily! or Photon 2 have ads?
Neither Wily! nor Photon 2 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Wily! or Photon 2?
Wily! ships an update every 7 months, and Photon 2 every 5 weeks. Most recently, Wily! was updated on October 6, 2026 and Photon 2 on October 5, 2026.

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