Comparison

Lux Light Meter Pro vs Candela

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Lux Light Meter Pro

Measure light intensity in lux and foot candles with this 2-in-1 meter. Optimize photography settings, adjust indoor lighting, or prevent eye strain with professional-quality readings directly from your smartphone.

Highlights
  • Real-time lux and foot candle measurements
  • Real-time color temperature measurements
  • Real-time histogram plotting
  • Customizable settings for shutter speed, ISO, aperture
  • Front and back camera support
  • Intuitive and customizable controls
Features
Read full description

Light Meter is a 2-in-1 light intensity (lux) and exposure meter with customizable settings. Whether you want to capture the perfect photo or optimize lighting in any space, Light Meter provides professional-quality readings right on your phone. Forget about expensive professional equipment that you have to carry around. With Light Meter, you can get light intensity data with just one click to choose the best settings for manual or film photography, adjust home, work, or greenhouse lighting, and prevent eye strain from poor lighting. Features: - intuitive and customizable controls - for front and back cam - collects light intensity data in real time - instant lux and foot candle measurements - real-time color temperature measurements - real-time histogram plotting - customizable settings for shutter speed, ISO, aperture - preview and adjust diaphragm settings before shooting Have any questions or suggestions? Write to us: sparkappsfeedback@gmail.com Terms of Use - https://www.iubenda.com/terms-and-conditions/82717056 Privacy Policy - https://www.iubenda.com/privacy-policy/82717056

About

Candela

This utility app transforms your iPhone camera into a versatile light meter. It provides real-time readings for illuminance, exposure value, and color temperature, catering to photography, plant care, and room lighting needs. The app prioritizes user privacy with on-device processing and no data collection.

Highlights
  • Live illuminance (lux/foot-candles)
  • Exposure Value (EV) and exposure triangle solver
  • Color temperature readout
  • Plant light conversion (PPFD, DLI)
  • Room lighting recommendations
  • On-device calibration
  • Spot saving and history
Read full description

Candela turns the camera into a genuinely useful light meter. Point your iPhone and read the light around you — live illuminance in lux or foot-candles, exposure value (EV), and color temperature in Kelvin — on one beautiful instrument with a camera-iris dial that opens and closes with the light. One meter, three jobs: PHOTO / FILM • Live EV at ISO 100, plus a full exposure-triangle solver — lock any two of ISO, aperture, and shutter and Candela computes the third. • Color temperature readout for white balance. • Perfect for film shooters, manual photographers, and anyone learning exposure. PLANT • Convert measured light into PPFD and a projected Daily Light Integral (DLI) for the hours your plant gets light. • Instantly see whether a windowsill is deep shade, low, medium, bright-indirect, or direct sun — with example plants for each level. • Stop guessing why your monstera is leggy. ROOM / WELLBEING • Compare a spot against recommended light levels for reading, kitchen work, an office desk, and more. • A clear verdict — too dim, comfortable, or bright — plus a color-temperature note for evening, sleep-friendly lighting. Built for trust: • Calibrate to any reference in one tap so your readings match a meter you trust. • Lux or foot-candles, your choice. • Save a "spot" to remember a reading, with a tidy history. • A built-in Guide explains plant light needs, room standards, and a photographer's EV chart. Private by design: • Everything runs on your device. Camera frames are analyzed live and are never saved, photographed, or sent anywhere. • No account. No tracking. No ads. Data Not Collected. A note on accuracy: a phone camera is a reflected/scene light meter, so readings are a well-calibrated estimate rather than a laboratory instrument. For incident-style readings, meter off a neutral gray card. Calibration lets you dial Candela in to a reference.

Screenshots

Lux Light Meter Pro3 screens
Candela4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Lux Light Meter Pro at 3.9 against Candela's 2.0. Lux Light Meter Pro also leads on ratings volume (5.1K vs 1) and device support (3 vs 1). Candela's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4) and ads (none vs shown). On price 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Lux Light Meter Pro sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Candela asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Lux Light Meter Pro holds the better App Store score, 3.9 against 2.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Lux Light Meter Pro has 5.1K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Lux Light Meter Pro versus Candela: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLux Light Meter ProCandela
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.9 (5.1K ratings) — better2.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews21.2% of reviews—
Number of ratings5.1K — better1
Update frequencyEvery 3 months—
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size19 MB4 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMarina PolyanskayaSnizhana Babytska

Bugs and requests

Lux Light Meter Pro

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Readings stuck at 0 lux regardless of light conditions
  • Frequent crashes and freezes
  • Inability to switch between front and rear cameras

Requested features

3 requests
  • Ability to save and review past measurements
  • More detailed instructions and guidance on proper usage
  • Improved accuracy and calibration options

Candela

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Lux Light Meter Pro

Subscriptions2
  • Premium Access3 Days trial$1.991 Month
  • Premium Access2 variants$14.991 Year
One-time1
  • Pro Mode$9.99
None

Candela

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Lux Light Meter Pro free?
Lux Light Meter Pro is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Candela free?
Candela is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Lux Light Meter Pro or Candela?
Lux Light Meter Pro is rated higher. Lux Light Meter Pro averages 3.9 out of 5 from 5.1K ratings, while Candela averages 2.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Lux Light Meter Pro or Candela have ads?
Lux Light Meter Pro shows ads; Candela does not.

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