Comparison

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.

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • Complex number support
  • Basic and Scientific modes
  • History of operations
  • Trigonometric and hyperbolic functions
  • Random number generation
  • Lightweight app size
Features
Read full description

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.

About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Read full description

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

A Complex Calc4 screens
Light Meter LM4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

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.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
A Complex Calc versus Light Meter LM: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterA Complex CalcLight Meter LM
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (23 ratings) — better4.5 (2.6K ratings)
Positive reviews80.0% of reviews — better40.3% of reviews
Number of ratings232.6K — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS10.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size28 MB22 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAntonio RuffoloLightray Innovation GmbH

Customer experience

A Complex Calc

All ratings23 ratings
Positive91.3%
Neutral4.3%
Negative4.3%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive80.0%
Neutral20.0%
Negative0.0%

Light Meter LM

All ratings2,554 ratings
Positive88.1%
Neutral3.6%
Negative8.3%
Written reviews201 reviews
Positive40.3%
Neutral5.5%
Negative54.2%

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

None

A Complex Calc

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

Light Meter LM

Subscriptions1
  • Continuous Charging$3.491 Month
One-time2
  • Single Charge$0.99
  • Unlimited Battery$19.99

Questions

Is A Complex Calc free?
A Complex Calc is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Light Meter LM free?
Light Meter LM is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, A Complex Calc or Light Meter LM?
A Complex Calc is rated higher. A Complex Calc averages 4.7 out of 5 from 23 ratings, while Light Meter LM averages 4.5 from 2.6K ratings.
Do A Complex Calc or Light Meter LM have ads?
Neither A Complex Calc nor Light Meter LM shows ads.
Which is updated more often, A Complex Calc or Light Meter LM?
A Complex Calc ships an update every 3 weeks, and Light Meter LM monthly. Most recently, A Complex Calc was updated on August 28, 2026 and Light Meter LM on September 23, 2026.

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