# Datacolor ColorReader vs Spectro by Variable

Datacolor ColorReader and Spectro by Variable both sit at 4.7 stars, but that hides the real split: 50% of Spectro by Variable's written reviews are positive against 25% of Datacolor ColorReader's. Spectro by Variable also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months). Datacolor ColorReader's advantage is ratings volume (699 vs 118). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Datacolor ColorReader sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month and Spectro by Variable sells 5 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 Datacolor ColorReader against 4.8 for Spectro by Variable. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Datacolor ColorReader has 699 ratings behind it against 118, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 25% of Datacolor ColorReader's written reviews are positive against 50% of Spectro by Variable's.

Datacolor ColorReader ships an update every 2 months, Spectro by Variable every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 17, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Datacolor ColorReader | Spectro by Variable |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (699 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/datacolor-colorreader/id1217566816/reviews) | **[4.8 (118 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spectro-by-variable/id1399186748/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **699** | 118 |
| Positive reviews | 25.3% of reviews | **50.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 34 MB | 84 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13** | 13.4 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Datacolor Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/432310628) | [Variable Technologies LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/569541572) |

## What reviewers say

### 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


### Spectro by Variable

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spectro-by-variable/id1399186748)

This app enables color professionals to precisely measure, match, and communicate color data using connected devices. Access extensive color libraries and analyze spectral curves for accurate results anytime, anywhere.

**Highlights:** Scan, match, and compare colors, View spectral curves and LAB values, Access extensive brand color libraries, Analyze colors under multiple light sources, Store and export scan data, Create and store color standards

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

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| Monthly | $15.99 | per month |
| Quality Control Module | $75.00 | per month |
| Annual | $99.99 | per year |
| Annual | $149.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Datacolor ColorReader free?

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

### Is Spectro by Variable free?

Spectro by Variable is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Datacolor ColorReader or Spectro by Variable?

Spectro by Variable is rated higher. Datacolor ColorReader averages 4.7 out of 5 from 699 ratings, while Spectro by Variable averages 4.8 from 118 ratings.

### Do Datacolor ColorReader or Spectro by Variable have ads?

Neither Datacolor ColorReader nor Spectro by Variable shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Datacolor ColorReader or Spectro by Variable?

Datacolor ColorReader ships an update every 2 months, and Spectro by Variable every 3 weeks. Most recently, Datacolor ColorReader was updated on September 23, 2026 and Spectro by Variable on September 17, 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.*