Comparison

Blackout v2 (Legacy) vs StageTools

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

Head to head
About

Blackout v2 (Legacy)

This professional lighting console app offers an intuitive interface and powerful effects engine for controlling DMX, Art-Net, and sACN lighting setups. It features a vast cloud fixture database, custom fixture creation, and advanced control options for seamless lighting design and execution.

Highlights
  • Cloud Fixture Database
  • Custom Fixture Creation
  • Streamlined Fixture Patching
  • Intuitive Fixture Controls
  • Multi-Cuelist Platform
  • Dynamic Effects Engine
  • Advanced MIDI Support
Read full description

Blackout is a revolutionary professional Art-Net/sACN DMX Lighting Console app for the iPad. Redefine your lighting with our incredibly intuitive interface and powerful effects engine. Features: - Cloud Fixture Database: Access over 44,000 fixture profiles licensed from Carallon, the leader in fixture profile services. - Create Custom Fixtures: Utilize our Fixture Creation Wizard to design your own profiles, perfectly matching your specific lighting needs. - Fixture Patching Made Simple: Effortlessly categorize and label LED fixtures with a streamlined Patch interface, ideal for batch management. - Intuitive Fixture Controls: Adjust parameters with ease in Fixture Controls and experience our NEW multi-dimensional color picker. - Robust Multi-Cuelist Platform: Organize and save lighting looks within Sequences, complete with customizable fade times, delays, and links. - Presets for Quick Access: Save and recall fixture parameters instantly, streamlining batch changes across multiple fixtures through our Favorites. - Dynamic Effects Engine: Explore limitless creative possibilities with our advanced Effects Engine, featuring intensity chases, color loops, and more. - Macro Functionality: Simplify complex lighting tasks into single-button actions for maximum efficiency. - Enhanced Data Visibility: Experience our reworked UI with new view states for displaying data in various formats, aiding quicker analysis and decision-making. - Advanced MIDI Support (Input & Output): Gain tactile control over your lighting with MIDI compatibility, suitable for both wired and wireless controllers.

About

StageTools

A comprehensive lighting toolkit for professionals, offering network scanning, DMX inspection, fixture testing, and plot creation. Manage fixture data, files, and notes without needing a laptop, with many tools available offline.

Highlights
  • Network device scanning
  • DMX viewer for sACN/ArtNet
  • Micro console for fixture testing
  • Protocol detector
  • LTC timecode generation/reception
  • Curve builder
  • Quick plot creation
  • Scout notes with multimedia
Features
Read full description

StageTools is a lighting toolkit for iPhone and iPad, built for the work that happens before, during, and after the rig is in the air. Scout the job. Plot the rig. Troubleshoot the network. Check DMX. Keep fixture data, files, notes, and utility tools close without opening a laptop. TOOLBOX Network Devices scans your show network and helps you keep track of nodes, switches, consoles, and other devices. DMX Viewer listens to sACN and ArtNet so you can inspect live universe data and catch channel changes. Micro Console gives you a pocket-sized lighting console for fixture testing, quick looks, and controlled sACN or ArtNet output when you need it. Protocol Detector passively listens for common show-network traffic so you can see what is talking before you change anything. LTC Timecode can generate, receive, or jam timecode from your device. Curve Builder helps build fixture correction references from meter readings and export them for real show workflows. DIP Switch and CCT Converter cover the small calculations that still come up on set and in the shop. QUICK PLOTS Build fast lighting plots, network layouts, and power notes on one canvas. Add symbols, labels, cables, layers, backgrounds, custom symbols, and exports to PDF or PNG. SCOUT NOTES Create location scouts with photos, videos, marked-up images, note tabs, voice memos, transcripts, files, and PDF export. Make Scout Notes can turn a voice transcript into structured notes you can review and insert. FIXTURES Search, download, favorite, and reference fixtures from the GDTF Share Library. Downloaded fixtures can be used across StageTools workflows. FILES Save links, PDFs, manuals, plots, patch sheets, network diagrams, and local files. Organize by folder, category, and favorites, then share folder bundles when another StageTools user needs the same packet. BUILT FOR LIGHTING WORK StageTools is focused on lighting professionals: set lighting crews, theatrical electricians, lighting designers, programmers, gaffers, and touring techs. Many tools work offline. Live network tools require access to the show network. Core data stays on your device, with optional iCloud Sync for your own devices. StageTools is free to try. A subscription unlocks the full lighting workflow after the trial. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

StageTools4 screens

Verdict

The call

Blackout v2 (Legacy) and StageTools are too close to call on the numbers: across 9 compared parameters — price, rating, ratings volume and update cadence among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

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. Blackout v2 (Legacy) sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and StageTools sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Blackout v2 (Legacy) against 5.0 for StageTools. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 7 and 5 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
Blackout v2 (Legacy) versus StageTools: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBlackout v2 (Legacy)StageTools
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (7 ratings)5.0 (5 ratings)
Positive reviews76.2% of reviews—
Number of ratings7 — better5
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksEvery 2 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS18.017.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size359 MB87 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBlackout Lighting Console Inc.X0 Lighting Control Inc.

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Blackout v2 (Legacy)

One-time1
  • Basic Plan$799.99
2 purchases

StageTools

Subscriptions2
  • StageTools Monthly7 Days trial$3.991 Month
  • StageTools Annual7 Days trial$39.991 Year

Questions

Is Blackout v2 (Legacy) free?
Blackout v2 (Legacy) is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is StageTools free?
StageTools is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Blackout v2 (Legacy) or StageTools?
Blackout v2 (Legacy) and StageTools are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 7 and 5 ratings respectively.
Do Blackout v2 (Legacy) or StageTools have ads?
Neither Blackout v2 (Legacy) nor StageTools shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Blackout v2 (Legacy) or StageTools?
Blackout v2 (Legacy) ships an update every 2 weeks, and StageTools every 2 weeks. Most recently, Blackout v2 (Legacy) was updated on November 2, 2026 and StageTools on November 5, 2026.

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