# Spectro by Variable vs Datacolor MobileQC

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Datacolor MobileQC at none against Spectro by Variable's 5. Datacolor MobileQC also leads on iOS requirement (11.0 vs 13.4). Spectro by Variable's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 4 months) and ratings volume (118 vs 3). On price, rating, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Spectro by Variable sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Datacolor MobileQC asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for Spectro by Variable against 4.7 for Datacolor MobileQC. 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.

Spectro by Variable ships an update every 3 weeks, Datacolor MobileQC every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 5, 2026 and September 29, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Spectro by Variable | Datacolor MobileQC |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (118 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spectro-by-variable/id1399186748/reviews)** | [4.7 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/datacolor-mobileqc/id1614959316/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **118** | 3 |
| Positive reviews | 50.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Every 4 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 84 MB | 17 MB |
| Requires iOS | 13.4 | **11.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Variable Technologies LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/569541572) | [Datacolor Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/432310628) |

## What reviewers say

### Spectro by Variable

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spectro-by-variable/id1399186748)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| Monthly | $15.99 | per month |
| Quality Control Module | $75.00 | per month |
| Annual | $99.99 | per year |
| Annual | $149.99 | per year |


### Datacolor MobileQC

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/datacolor-mobileqc/id1614959316)

This app helps professionals in industries like ink, paint, and textiles to identify and control color quality. It pairs with a specific device to create color projects, evaluate samples with pass/fail indicators, and analyze color plots and spectral curves.

**Highlights:** Implement color quality control checkpoints, Create and store color projects, Evaluate color samples with pass/fail indicators, Analyze color plots and spectral curves, Customize illuminants, observers, and tolerances, Set color space and readings per batch

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Spectro by Variable free?

Spectro by Variable is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Datacolor MobileQC free?

Datacolor MobileQC is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Spectro by Variable or Datacolor MobileQC?

Spectro by Variable is rated higher. Spectro by Variable averages 4.8 out of 5 from 118 ratings, while Datacolor MobileQC averages 4.7 from 3 ratings.

### Do Spectro by Variable or Datacolor MobileQC have ads?

Neither Spectro by Variable nor Datacolor MobileQC shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Spectro by Variable or Datacolor MobileQC?

Spectro by Variable ships an update every 3 weeks, and Datacolor MobileQC every 4 months. Most recently, Spectro by Variable was updated on October 5, 2026 and Datacolor MobileQC on September 29, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*