Munsell Viewer vs Spectro by Variable
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Munsell Viewer
This application displays Munsell color charts and converts Munsell values to RGB. It also shows color tables based on various Munsell value standards like US Standard Card and Japan JIS.
- Munsell color chart display
- Munsell to RGB conversion
- Color table display
- Support for multiple color standards
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Munsell Viewer is software that performs "coloring using Munsell values". 1. Displaying of Munsell color chart. (All colors of definition value in RIT real.dat) 2. Converting the input Munsell value to RGB value and displaying its color and its value. 3. Displaying a color table using Munsell values such as US Standard Card, ISCC-NBS, Japan JIS standard etc. Currently, these three are the basic functions.
Spectro by Variable
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.
- 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
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Now Available: Spectro by Variable + Pantone® Color Subscription by Variable. Users are now able to access more than 16,500 Pantone colors directly through the Spectro by Variable app when they subscribe to a Pantone Color Subscription within. Created with frictionless color communication in mind, the Spectro by Variable app connects to the Spectro 1 and Spectro 1 Pro devices, allowing color professionals to achieve professional-grade color matches and view deep color data anytime, anywhere. About the Spectro 1 and Spectro 1 Pro Devices: Spectro 1 is a compact, affordable color measurement tool for accurately measuring and communicating color at the professional and industrial level. Using patented technology, the Spectro units are true spectrophotometers that deliver accuracy and repeatability comparable to expensive benchtop spectrophotometers—for a fraction of the price. Features: Scan, match, and compare colors View spectral curves for scanned colors Achieve exact matches with spectral curve and LAB values Have access to dozens of brands like Behr, Benjamin Moore, Dulux, PPG, Sherwin-Williams in the palm of your hand View matches under four different light sources including A, F2, D50, and D65 (Incandescent, fluorescent, horizon, and noon daylight) Include 2 & 10 degree observations Store scans and scan data Export scan history, inspection history, and saved colors Save and export spectral curve data in 10 nm increments between 400-700 nm Create and store standards through the Saved Colors features Supports multiple dE formulas And much more!
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Spectro by Variable at 50% against Munsell Viewer's 0%. Spectro by Variable also leads on rating (4.8 vs 3.2) and ratings volume (118 vs 6). Munsell Viewer's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 5) and iOS requirement (10.0 vs 13.4). On price, ads 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. Spectro by Variable sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Munsell Viewer asks for nothing beyond the download.
Spectro by Variable holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Spectro by Variable has 118 ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 0% of Munsell Viewer's written reviews are positive against 50% of Spectro by Variable's.
Munsell Viewer ships an update every 2 months, Spectro by Variable every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 16, 2026 and October 5, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Munsell Viewer | Spectro by Variable |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.2 (6 ratings) | 4.8 (118 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | 50.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 6 | 118 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 3 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 10.0 — better | 13.4 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 24 MB | 84 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Yasashi Matsuo | Variable Technologies LLC |
Customer experience
Munsell Viewer
Spectro by Variable
In-app purchases
Munsell Viewer
No in-app purchases
Spectro by Variable
- Monthly$9.991 Month
- Monthly$15.991 Month
- Quality Control Module1 Month trial$75.001 Month
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- Annual$99.991 Year
- Annual$149.991 Year
Questions
Is Munsell Viewer free?
Is Spectro by Variable free?
Which has better reviews, Munsell Viewer or Spectro by Variable?
Do Munsell Viewer or Spectro by Variable have ads?
Which is updated more often, Munsell Viewer or Spectro by Variable?
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