Comparison

Photone vs Path Browser

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

Head to head
About

Photone

This app acts as a professional-grade light meter for plants, measuring PAR, PPFD, DLI, and more using your device's camera. It helps optimize plant lighting by providing accurate readings and in-app guides, with optional advanced features available through purchase.

Highlights
  • Measure PAR, PPFD, DLI, lux, foot-candles, and kelvin
  • Research-grade accuracy using device camera
  • Pre-calibrated for specific devices
  • In-app guides and tools
  • Light source selection for various grow lights
  • Hands-free 'read aloud' function
Features
Read full description

Turn your iPhone or iPad into a PAR meter. Measure PPFD, DLI, lux, foot-candles, and color temperature (kelvin) to give your plants exactly the light they need. Trusted by millions of growers, Photone is the only accurate plant light meter app. How much light do your plants really get? Are your lamps hung too high, dimmed too low, or on for too long? Whether you grow houseplants or use a grow tent, greenhouse, hydroponics system, or aquarium, Photone answers these questions and more. Photone is more than just a PAR meter: it gives you the tools and guidance to understand the numbers. MEASUREMENTS ⎷ Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) as PPFD in µmol/m²/s ⎷ Daily Light Integral (DLI) in mol/m²/d ⎷ Illuminance in lux or foot-candles ⎷ Correlated color temperature (CCT) in kelvin * ⎷ Extended PAR (ePAR) including far-red light (ePPFD, eDLI) * FEATURES ⎷ Industry-leading accuracy ⎷ Heatmaps — Create PAR maps, PPFD maps, DLI maps, lux maps, and export them as images ⎷ Logging — Track measurements over time as an interactive chart, Auto-Log sessions, and export or import them ⎷ Projected DLI — Get the daily light your plants receive instantly by entering how long your lamps are on ← perfect for grow lights ⎷ Actual DLI — Leave your device in place and use Auto-Log to sum up the light throughout the day ← perfect when measuring sunlight ⎷ In-app guides ⎷ Light calculators and recommendations ⎷ Excellent low light sensitivity to detect light pollution for plants ⎷ Custom calibration option to align readings to another meter ⎷ No Bluetooth and location permission required ⎷ No ads ⎷ All grow light sources supported (Natural sunlight, LEDs, HPS, MH, etc.) * ⎷ Photone for Apple Watch — monitor live readings from your wrist * ⎷ Average and peak readings * ⎷ Hands-free "read aloud" function * ⎷ Special underwater measurement mode * ⎷ Pro support by real human experts * * These features require an in-app purchase to fully unlock HOW ACCURATE IS PHOTONE? Photone matches the accuracy of professional handheld PAR quantum sensors costing hundreds of dollars. Here's how: ⎷ RAW sensor data — capture true light intensity using the camera, the most precise sensor in your device ⎷ Pre-calibrated per device model ⎷ Developed according to the ISO/CIE 19476 standard for light measurement ⎷ Continuously tested — we regularly calibrate and test on new devices DIFFUSER REQUIRED Like every real light meter, Photone 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/ (!) Do not rely on apps that do not require a diffuser. They are inaccurate because they ignore the basic physics of light measurement. UPGRADE OPTIONS Photone is free to download and use, with no ads or hidden costs. To unleash its full potential, it offers two types of upgrades: → Lifetime unlocks — one-time purchase, always restorable via your Apple Account → Pro subscription — full access for as long as you subscribe, cancel anytime Photone took 7+ years of R&D to develop. Upgrading unlocks powerful features and keeps the app ad-free for everyone. As a member of 1% for the Planet, we donate at least 1% of all revenue to environmental non-profits — so every purchase helps both your plants and the planet. Terms and Conditions: https://growlightmeter.com/terms/

About

Path Browser

This web browser offers built-in Bluetooth connectivity, enabling a more integrated and advanced connected experience. It aims to unlock the full potential of your device by enhancing its capabilities.

Highlights
  • Built-in Bluetooth connectivity
  • Next-generation web browsing
  • Enhanced device connectivity
  • Unlock device potential
Features
Read full description

The Path Browser is a next-generation web browser with built in Bluetooth connectivity. The Path Browser unlocks the true potential of your device, allowing you to take your connected experience to the highest level.

Screenshots

Photone4 screens
Path Browser1 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Photone at 4.6 against Path Browser's 4.1. Photone also leads on review sentiment (54% vs 41%) and ratings volume (5K vs 1K). Path Browser's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 13). 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. Photone sells 13 in-app purchases, starting at $5.49 per month. Path Browser asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Photone holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.1. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 5K and 1K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 54% of Photone's written reviews are positive against 41% of Path Browser's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Photone ships an update every 3 weeks, Path Browser monthly. Both last shipped on October 29, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Photone versus Path Browser: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPhotonePath Browser
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (5K ratings) — better4.1 (1K ratings)
Positive reviews53.8% of reviews — better40.6% of reviews
Number of ratings5K — better1K
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.015.0
Further details — not scored
Size80 MB7 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperLightray Innovation GmbHPLUGCO, LLC

Customer experience

Photone

All ratings4,946 ratings
Positive90.8%
Neutral3.3%
Negative6.0%
Written reviews240 reviews
Positive53.8%
Neutral5.8%
Negative40.4%

Path Browser

All ratings975 ratings
Positive81.8%
Neutral2.1%
Negative16.1%
Written reviews544 reviews
Positive40.6%
Neutral4.4%
Negative55.0%

User reviews

Photone

From 5K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Accurate readings
  • 💡 Helpful for growing plants
  • 👍 Easy to use
  • 🚀 Saves money compared to expensive meters
  • 👍 Useful for adjusting lighting

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Inconsistent readings
  • 💰 Expensive in-app purchases
  • 🔒 Requires additional equipment (diffuser) to work properly
  • 🐛 Readings not accurate without calibration
  • 🔒 Limited functionality in free version

Path Browser

From 1K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Great app
  • 👍 Awesome device
  • 💡 Customization options
  • 🚀 Smooth experience
  • 👍 Easy to use

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Connectivity issues
  • 🐛 Glitchy
  • 🐛 Crashes frequently
  • 🐛 Buggy
  • 🐛 Disconnects constantly

Bugs and requests

Photone

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Readings don't change with proximity
  • Diffuser requirement not made clear upfront
  • Purchased features not working as expected

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add calibration feature
  • Expand supported light types in free version
  • Improve accuracy across different devices
  • Provide a one-time purchase option instead of subscription

Path Browser

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Login issues
  • Firmware update problems
  • Inability to save settings
  • Pairing problems

Requested features

4 requests
  • More light settings
  • Improved app stability
  • Dedicated app instead of browser
  • Better customer support

In-app purchases

13 purchases

Photone

Subscriptions2
  • Photone Pro (Monthly)$5.491 Month
  • Photone Pro (Yearly)$29.491 Year
One-time11
  • MH lifetime unlock$5.49
  • HPS (Standard) lifetime unlock$5.49
  • HPS DE lifetime unlock$5.49
Show 8 more
  • FL (Daylight) Lifetime Unlock$5.49
  • Sun Lifetime Unlock$5.49
  • LED Full Spec. lifetime unlock$6.49
  • LED (Red / Blue) Lifetime Unlock$6.49
  • LED (Blue / White) Lifetime Unlock$6.49
  • LED (Full Spectrum) Lifetime Unlock$6.49
  • LED (Full Spectrum + Red) Lifetime$6.49
  • Photone Pro Lifetime Unlock$97.00
None

Path Browser

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Photone free?
Photone is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Path Browser free?
Path Browser is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Photone or Path Browser?
Photone is rated higher. Photone averages 4.6 out of 5 from 5K ratings, while Path Browser averages 4.1 from 1K ratings.
Do Photone or Path Browser have ads?
Neither Photone nor Path Browser shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Photone or Path Browser?
Photone ships an update every 3 weeks, and Path Browser monthly. Most recently, Photone was updated on October 29, 2026 and Path Browser on October 29, 2026.

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