# SherMatch+ vs Datacolor ColorReader

The clearest difference is ratings volume: SherMatch+ at 6.8K against Datacolor ColorReader's 699. On price, rating, review sentiment and update cadence there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. SherMatch+ sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and Datacolor ColorReader sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for SherMatch+ against 4.7 for Datacolor ColorReader. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SherMatch+ has 6.8K ratings behind it against 699, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 25% and 25% positive.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 20, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | SherMatch+ | Datacolor ColorReader |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (6.8K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shermatch-plus/id1195970208/reviews) | [4.7 (699 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/datacolor-colorreader/id1217566816/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **6.8K** | 699 |
| Positive reviews | **25.4% of reviews** | 25.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 84 MB | 34 MB |
| Requires iOS | 13.4 | **13** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Variable Technologies LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/569541572) | [Datacolor Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/432310628) |

## What reviewers say

### SherMatch+

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shermatch-plus/id1195970208)

This app helps professional painters and contractors quickly and accurately match paint colors and sheens from any painted surface. It eliminates the need for physical samples, saving time and reducing errors on job sites. Advanced features for custom color creation are available with a subscription.

**Highlights:** Scan and match paint color, Measure surface sheen, Organize job folders, Find nearest store, Create custom colors (subscription), Preview colors in rooms

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| SherMatch+ Custom Color Match | $4.99 | per month |
| SherMatch+ Custom Color Match | $47.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Accurate color matching
- 🔒 Clear instructions
- 👍 Helpful for contractors and professionals
- 👍 Saves time and money

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🚫 Requires purchase of additional device
- 🐛 Inconsistent color matching accuracy
- 👎 Poor integration with phone camera
- 👎 Confusing and not user-friendly
- 🔋 Battery life issues

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes and login issues
- Inability to connect to device
- Scrolling issues during account creation

**Requested features**

- Allow custom color creation
- Integrate phone camera for color matching
- Add color palette and notes features
- Improve organization and search in app


### Datacolor ColorReader

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/datacolor-colorreader/id1217566816)

This app helps professionals and DIYers accurately match paint colors from walls or objects to popular paint brands. It provides color values and recommendations, saving time and ensuring job quality.

**Highlights:** Accurate paint color matching (>90%), Matches to uploaded fan decks, Build, save, and share color palettes, Color measurement history, Color scheme recommendations, Get paint brand color name and number, Provides RGB, Hex, CIELab values

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| NCS Colour (monthly) | $9.99 | per month |
| British Standards (monthly) | $14.99 | per month |
| NCS Colour (yearly) | $89.99 | per year |
| British Standards (yearly) | $149.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🎨 Accurate color matching on ceiling colors
- 📚 Comprehensive paint brand library
- ⚡ Quick and efficient scanning process
- 🎯 Useful complementary color schemes
- 👍 Minimal app permissions required

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent connection failures between device and app
- ❌ Poor color accuracy on walls and samples
- 📵 App requires device connection to view saved colors
- 🔄 Outdated and missing paint colors in library
- 🎨 Inconsistent results across different lighting conditions

**Reported bugs**

- Blank page on device registration
- White screen during app startup
- Calibration failed error messages
- Device won't connect to smartphone
- Bluetooth connectivity issues requiring multiple attempts

**Requested features**

- Store scanned colors on phone without device connection
- Cloud sync for color history across devices
- Tutorial or guided walkthrough for app navigation
- Ability to delete individual colors from history
- Reorder colors within custom palettes


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SherMatch+ free?

SherMatch+ is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Datacolor ColorReader free?

Datacolor ColorReader is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, SherMatch+ or Datacolor ColorReader?

SherMatch+ and Datacolor ColorReader are both rated 4.7 out of 5 on the App Store, from 6.8K and 699 ratings respectively.

### Do SherMatch+ or Datacolor ColorReader have ads?

Neither SherMatch+ nor Datacolor ColorReader shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, SherMatch+ or Datacolor ColorReader?

SherMatch+ ships an update every 2 months, and Datacolor ColorReader every 2 months. Most recently, SherMatch+ was updated on September 20, 2026 and Datacolor ColorReader on September 23, 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.*