Datacolor ColorReader vs CastPilot
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Datacolor ColorReader
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.
- 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
Read full descriptionHide full description
Matching paint color by eye is subjective. Job quality is not. That’s why you need the Datacolor ColorReader. It matches paint color with more than 90% accuracy. All at the push of a button. All in the brand of your choice. The ColorReader analyzes the color of a wall or object and matches it in less than a second to the closest paint color. For those who need to know paint color to do their jobs. No more matching by eye and searching through fan decks or color cards. Paint confidently. Design confidently. DIY confidently. Be confident with color. Highest Accuracy Across Popular Paint Brands • Industry leading matching with more than 90% success rate • Matches color to any uploaded fan deck • Easy to use • One-click analysis • Ultra-portable • Bluetooth®-connected • OLED display for standalone device use (ColorReader Pro only) Expanded capabilities through the mobile app: • Build, save, and share color palettes • Color measurement history • Color scheme recommendations for harmonious color flow • Get paint brand color name and number • Get color values for measurements and color matches including RGB, Hex, CIELab, and more! • QC functionality (ColorReader and ColorReader Pro only) Backed by the Leading Precision Color Company For more than 45 years, Datacolor’s passion for precision color has helped us meet the exacting needs of more than a million customers whose entire job depends on the accuracy of their colors. What People Are Saying about ColorReader? “This device is incredibly easy to use - and it’s dependable.” John Metz - Haddon Painting “I love it. It cut one hour of time off my desk.” Debbie Deutsh – Interiors by Cornerstone “In this industry, time is money. If I can’t get the exact color they want, I’m losing time and material costs. “ Jon Ipock – ProTastic Painting “I have not stopped using it in matching colors to fabric and wall covering. It has saved me so much time in trying to match with paint chips.” Vincent Wolf – Vincent Wolf Associates, Inc. “There are many contenders in this field, but this in my opinion is the only one that provides the best balance between accuracy, ease-of-use and price. Whatever color you read with your ColorReader will be matched against those fan decks and the best matching returned. This is a much better alternative to purchasing multiple paint samples and trying them out, and is in my opinion the best bang for the buck.” Amazon Customer “Bought this (the lower cost one) because it seemed there had to be a better way than trying to match paint swatches to what is on the walls now. Setup was straight forward, and the app is fairly easy to use to take readings. The device accurately identified a swatch that I had, and it was straight forward to take multiple readings of the long ago painted walls in our old house.“ Amazon Customer Terms & Conditions: https://www.datacolor.com/legal/us/terms-conditions/ Privacy Policy: http://www.datacolor.com/legal-documents/colorreader/privacy-policy/
CastPilot
Read full descriptionHide full description
Audition sides in. Prep package out. CastPilot helps actors break down scenes, build choices, memorize lines, and get ready to tape. Upload your sides from Files, then use CastPilot to break down the scene, explore character choices, generate objectives and impulses, rehearse lines, and create annotated sides you can review before taping. Built for actors who are balancing auditions, classes, work, rehearsals, and life, CastPilot gives you a clear workflow when audition deadlines hit fast. With CastPilot, you can: • Upload audition sides from Files • Generate scene prep based on the material • Build character choices and playable ideas • Explore objectives, impulses, and actions • Practice with line memorization tools • Create annotated sides for review • Save prep packages inside the app • Keep audition materials organized in one place CastPilot is not here to tell you there is one “right” way to act. It is designed to help you brainstorm sharper choices, organize your prep, and walk into the room or self-tape with more confidence. From first read to final tape, CastPilot gives actors a smarter way to prep. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://mycastpilot.com/privacy
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: CastPilot at fortnightly against Datacolor ColorReader's every 2 months. Datacolor ColorReader's advantage is iOS requirement (13 vs 16.4). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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
Both are free to download. Datacolor ColorReader sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month and CastPilot sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Datacolor ColorReader ships an update every 2 months, CastPilot fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Datacolor ColorReader | CastPilot |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (699 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 25.3% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 699 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Fortnightly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 13 — better | 16.4 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 34 MB | 34 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Datacolor Inc. | Riptide Creative LLC |
Bugs and requests
Datacolor ColorReader
Reported bugs
10 issues- 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
Show 5 moreShow fewer
- Fan deck update stuck indefinitely
- Missing read button on iPhone XS Max
- iOS 12 compatibility broken after update
- Inaccessible color history after fan deck removal
- Support ticket system non-functional
Requested features
10 requests- 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
Show 5 moreShow fewer
- Search by paint swatch number
- Support for more eco-conscious paint brands
- Expanded UK/European paint brand options
- Separate color selection for trim and cabinets in photo mode
- Display custom color names in detail view
CastPilot
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Datacolor ColorReader
- NCS Colour (monthly)$9.991 Month
- British Standards (monthly)$14.991 Month
- NCS Colour (yearly)$89.991 Year
Show 1 moreShow fewer
- British Standards (yearly)$149.991 Year
CastPilot
- CastPilot Monthly7 Days trial$9.991 Month
- CastPilot Annual7 Days trial$79.991 Year







