# Datacolor ColorReader vs Color Card Pro

The clearest difference is rating: Datacolor ColorReader at 4.7 against Color Card Pro's 3.8. Datacolor ColorReader also leads on update cadence (every 2 months vs every 7 months) and review sentiment (25% vs 11%). Color Card Pro's advantage is iOS requirement (10.0 vs 13). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

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

Datacolor ColorReader holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Datacolor ColorReader has 709 ratings behind it against 89, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 25% of Datacolor ColorReader's written reviews are positive against 11% of Color Card Pro's.

Datacolor ColorReader ships an update every 2 months, Color Card Pro every 7 months. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Datacolor ColorReader | Color Card Pro |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (709 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/datacolor-colorreader/id1217566816/reviews)** | [3.8 (89 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/color-card-pro/id1470160792/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **709** | 89 |
| Positive reviews | **25.3% of reviews** | 11.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 months** | Every 7 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 34 MB | 30 MB |
| Requires iOS | 13 | **10.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Datacolor Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/432310628) | [庆南 赵](https://appshunter.io/developer/1504843550) |

## 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


### Color Card Pro

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/color-card-pro/id1470160792)

Easily create custom color cards and gradients from photos, color wheels, or cameras. Offers detailed color data and supports sharing your creations with others.

**Highlights:** Automatic picture color matching, Color wheel and color picker, Create 4-6 color cards, Gradient color production, Share color cards and data, Built-in color card library

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Please Have A Cup Of Coffee | $0.99 | one-time |
| Professional Edition | $3.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Datacolor ColorReader free?

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

### Is Color Card Pro free?

Color Card Pro is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Datacolor ColorReader or Color Card Pro?

Datacolor ColorReader is rated higher. Datacolor ColorReader averages 4.7 out of 5 from 709 ratings, while Color Card Pro averages 3.8 from 89 ratings.

### Do Datacolor ColorReader or Color Card Pro have ads?

Neither Datacolor ColorReader nor Color Card Pro shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Datacolor ColorReader or Color Card Pro?

Datacolor ColorReader ships an update every 2 months, and Color Card Pro every 7 months. Most recently, Datacolor ColorReader was updated on October 24, 2026 and Color Card Pro on October 25, 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.*