Comparison

Spectro by Variable vs MediaBuddy

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read full description

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!

About

MediaBuddy

Estimate video and audio file sizes, network transfer times, and LTO tape write times. Supports various professional media formats like ProRes, DNxHD, DPX, TIFF, and DCPs.

Highlights
  • Estimate video/audio file sizes
  • Calculate network transfer times
  • Estimate LTO tape write times
  • Supports ProRes
  • Supports DNxHD
  • Supports DPX, TIFF, DCPs
Read full description

MediaBuddy is a simple tool to quickly estimate video and audio file sizes as well as network transfer and LTO tape write times. Supports ProRes, DNxHD, DPX, TIFF and DCPs.

Screenshots

Spectro by Variable4 screens
MediaBuddy4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: MediaBuddy at 100% against Spectro by Variable's 50%. MediaBuddy also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 5) and rating (5.0 vs 4.8). Spectro by Variable's advantage is price (Free vs $1.99) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 47 months). On ads, device support and iOS requirement 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

Spectro by Variable is free to download; MediaBuddy costs $1.99 up front. Spectro by Variable sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. MediaBuddy asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

MediaBuddy holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Spectro by Variable has 118 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 50% of Spectro by Variable's written reviews are positive against 100% of MediaBuddy's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Spectro by Variable ships an update every 3 weeks, MediaBuddy every 47 months. The most recent releases landed on October 5, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Spectro by Variable versus MediaBuddy: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSpectro by VariableMediaBuddy
PriceFree — better$1.99
Rating4.8 (118 ratings)5.0 (3 ratings) — better
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings118 — better3
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 47 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS13.413.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size84 MB18 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperVariable Technologies LLCDenis Leconte

Customer experience

Spectro by Variable

All ratings118 ratings
Positive97.5%
Neutral0.8%
Negative1.7%
Written reviews6 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral33.3%
Negative16.7%

MediaBuddy

All ratings3 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

5 purchases

Spectro by Variable

Subscriptions5
  • Monthly$9.991 Month
  • Monthly$15.991 Month
  • Quality Control Module1 Month trial$75.001 Month
Show 2 more
  • Annual$99.991 Year
  • Annual$149.991 Year
None

MediaBuddy

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Spectro by Variable free?
Spectro by Variable is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is MediaBuddy free?
MediaBuddy costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Spectro by Variable or MediaBuddy?
MediaBuddy is rated higher. Spectro by Variable averages 4.8 out of 5 from 118 ratings, while MediaBuddy averages 5.0 from 3 ratings.
Do Spectro by Variable or MediaBuddy have ads?
Neither Spectro by Variable nor MediaBuddy shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Spectro by Variable or MediaBuddy?
Spectro by Variable ships an update every 3 weeks, and MediaBuddy every 47 months. Most recently, Spectro by Variable was updated on October 5, 2026 and MediaBuddy on October 1, 2026.

Other comparisons