A Complex Calc vs Light Meter LM
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
A Complex Calc
Perform complex calculations with a modern, user-friendly interface. Offers both basic and scientific modes, including support for complex numbers and advanced functions. This lightweight application provides a history of computations and is completely free with no advertisements.
- Complex number support
- Basic and Scientific modes
- History of operations
- Trigonometric and hyperbolic functions
- Random number generation
- Lightweight app size
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A Complex Calc is built for fast complex-number work without losing the tools you need for serious math. Use scientific functions quickly and check floating-point results in rectangular and polar form. Reuse past results from history, work with built-in constants, and keep advanced tools close while solving everyday and technical calculations.
Light Meter LM
Transform your smartphone into a professional light meter. Measure illuminance and color temperature with scientifically validated accuracy, trusted by professionals. Requires a simple diffuser for precise readings.
- Measure illuminance (lux/foot-candle)
- Measure color temperature (Kelvin)
- Industry-leading accuracy
- Pre-calibrated for your device
- Low light sensitivity
- Save peak reading
- Custom calibration option
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Turn your smartphone into a professional-grade light meter. Measure illuminance (lux/foot-candle) and color temperature (CCT in Kelvin) with unmatched accuracy — trusted by photographers, engineers, and lighting professionals worldwide. Why waste money on a hardware meter when you’re already carrying one in your pocket? The LM-3000 offers the same quality and usability as a traditional hardware light meter. Developed by optics scientists at the Zurich University of Applied Sciences, LM-3000 is the only light meter app scientifically validated for accuracy. It achieves professional-grade precision by leveraging your iPhone's front-facing camera sensor with advanced RAW image processing. Unlike relying on estimates like other apps, it adheres to the ISO/CIE 19476 standard, ensuring measurements you can trust for critical applications. MEASUREMENTS ⎷ Illuminance in lux or foot-candles ⎷ Correlated color temperature in kelvin FEATURES ⎷ Industry-leading accuracy, matching professional high-end lux meters ⎷ Pre-calibrated for your specific device ⎷ Excellent low light sensitivity to detect light pollution ⎷ No ads ⎷ No Bluetooth and location permission required ⎷ In-app manual ⎷ Save peak reading ⎷ HOLD function with acoustic signal ⎷ Custom calibration option to align readings to another meter DIFFUSER REQUIRED Like every real light meter, the LM-3000 requires a diffuser to measure accurately. A diffuser scatters incoming light evenly on the sensor and prevents hotspots. While it may sound complex, the solution is surprisingly easy. You have two options: 1) Easily build a diffuser yourself in less than a minute using standard printer paper. This is accurate enough for most use cases. 2) Get the dedicated Diffuser Accessory (free worldwide shipping) for best accuracy and convenience. More details on https://lightray.io/diffuser/ (!) Avoid apps that don’t require a diffuser! They are inaccurate because they ignore the basic physics of light measurement. TRY BEFORE YOU BUY The LM-3000 is free to download and comes with a free trial period. The trial period lasts for two non-consecutive days, giving you enough time to see if the app fits your needs. The status of your free trial will be shown as the "battery level" on the top right of the LM-3000's display and on the "Battery Status" screen. Once your light meter's "battery" is depleted, you may choose a Charging Option to keep using the app. You can pick what works best for you: → Single Charge — top-up for another 48 hours (perfect for occasional use), → Continuous Charging — a monthly subscription (great if you use it regularly), → Unlimited Battery — a one-time purchase for unlimited lifetime access LM-3000 is the result of over five years of dedicated research and development, ensuring you get a tool that is precise and reliable. Every in-app purchase supports future development and helps keep the app ad-free for everyone. As a member of 1% for the Planet, we donate at least one percent of all revenue to environmental non-profits — this is our way of giving back. ACCURACY Accuracy is not an afterthought — Apps developed by Lightray Innovation are developed according to the ISO/CIE 19476 standard. Thanks to RAW image processing and a default calibration per device model they’re able to match the performance of high quality traditional hardware light meters. To ensure quality we rigorously test our apps regularly on upcoming devices. DOWNLOAD FOR FREE. TRUSTED BY MILLIONS. LM-3000 is the go-to light meter for photographers, professionals, engineers, and lighting enthusiasts who rely on accurate measurements — not estimates or guesswork. Download for free today and experience the difference! See the app in action: https://youtu.be/EJW7NfE2qCk Terms and Conditions: https://lightray.io/lightmeter/terms/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: A Complex Calc at 80% against Light Meter LM's 40%. A Complex Calc also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 3) and rating (4.7 vs 4.5). Light Meter LM's advantage is ratings volume (2.6K vs 23). On price, update cadence, 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. Light Meter LM sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.49 per month. A Complex Calc asks for nothing beyond the download.
A Complex Calc holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Light Meter LM has 2.6K ratings behind it against 23, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 80% of A Complex Calc's written reviews are positive against 40% of Light Meter LM's.
A Complex Calc ships an update every 3 weeks, Light Meter LM monthly. The most recent releases landed on August 28, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | A Complex Calc | Light Meter LM |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (23 ratings) — better | 4.5 (2.6K ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 80.0% of reviews — better | 40.3% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 23 | 2.6K — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks — better | Monthly |
| 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 | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 28 MB | 22 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Antonio Ruffolo | Lightray Innovation GmbH |
Customer experience
A Complex Calc
Light Meter LM
Bugs and requests
A Complex Calc
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
Light Meter LM
Reported bugs
3 issues- Diffuser not recognized even when used
- App locks up/crashes
- Constant diffuser pop-up interruptions
Requested features
3 requests- Ability to use rear camera
- More flexible diffuser options
- Improved accuracy without diffuser
In-app purchases
A Complex Calc
No in-app purchases
Light Meter LM
- Continuous Charging$3.491 Month
- Single Charge$0.99
- Unlimited Battery$19.99
Questions
Is A Complex Calc free?
Is Light Meter LM free?
Which has better reviews, A Complex Calc or Light Meter LM?
Do A Complex Calc or Light Meter LM have ads?
Which is updated more often, A Complex Calc or Light Meter LM?
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