# Datacolor ColorReader vs Colors Extractor

The clearest difference is ads: Datacolor ColorReader at none against Colors Extractor's shown. Datacolor ColorReader also leads on ratings volume (710 vs 5) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 7 months). Colors Extractor's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.7). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Datacolor ColorReader sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month and Colors Extractor sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Colors Extractor holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Datacolor ColorReader has 710 ratings behind it against 5, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Datacolor ColorReader ships an update every 2 months, Colors Extractor every 7 months. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Datacolor ColorReader | Colors Extractor |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (710 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/datacolor-colorreader/id1217566816/reviews) | **[5.0 (5 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/colors-extractor/id6443813150/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **710** | 5 |
| Positive reviews | 25.6% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 months** | Every 7 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 34 MB | 46 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13** | 15.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Datacolor Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/432310628) | [Luiz Santos](https://appshunter.io/developer/1130097167) |

## 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


### Colors Extractor

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/colors-extractor/id6443813150)

Extract color palettes from images with their hexadecimal and RGB codes. Save favorite palettes and export them as images. Supports importing from gallery, URL, or camera.

**Highlights:** Extract colors from images, View colors in HEX, RGB, HSV, HSB, CMYK, Copy color codes to clipboard, Import images from gallery, URL, or camera, Save favorite color palettes, Export palettes as images

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Remove Ads | $3.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Datacolor ColorReader free?

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

### Is Colors Extractor free?

Colors Extractor is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Datacolor ColorReader or Colors Extractor?

Colors Extractor is rated higher. Datacolor ColorReader averages 4.7 out of 5 from 710 ratings, while Colors Extractor averages 5.0 from 5 ratings.

### Do Datacolor ColorReader or Colors Extractor have ads?

Colors Extractor shows ads; Datacolor ColorReader does not.

### Which is updated more often, Datacolor ColorReader or Colors Extractor?

Datacolor ColorReader ships an update every 2 months, and Colors Extractor every 7 months. Most recently, Datacolor ColorReader was updated on November 1, 2026 and Colors Extractor on October 24, 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.*