Sidus Link vs NANLINK
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Sidus Link
Control film lighting fixtures directly from your mobile device. This app offers advanced modes for white light, gels, color, and effects, with features for scene setup and collaboration. It supports over 100 fixtures and simplifies complex lighting workflows.
- Sidus Mesh Intelligent Lighting Network
- White Light, Gel, Color, and Effect Modes
- Unlimited Presets and QuickShots
- On-set Workflow Management
- Multi-device Control
- Sidus Cloud and Creative Collaboration
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Sidus Link provides a brand-new solution for film lighting control. Based on proprietary Sidus Mesh technology, it enables direct connection and control of over 100 film lighting fixtures using mobile devices like smartphones. Sidus Link integrates the most widely used and professional control functions and modes in the lighting field, including White Light Mode, Gel Mode, Color Mode, Effect Mode, and unlimited preset functions. With built-in Sidus Cloud and Creative Collaboration Group features, it simplifies workflows to help gaffers, DPs, and filmmakers quickly complete scene and lighting setups. Language Support: English Simplified Chinese Traditional Chinese Japanese Portuguese French Russian Vietnamese German 1. Sidus Mesh Intelligent Lighting Network 1.Decentralized film lighting network – No additional network equipment (gateways or routers) required; connect and control lighting fixtures directly via smartphones or other smart devices. 2.Multi-layer encryption ensures a secure and reliable lighting network, preventing interference and misoperation. 3.Supports 100+ professional lighting fixtures. 4.Multiple control devices (smartphones or other smart devices) can simultaneously control the same lighting network. 2. Basic Functions Supports four major control modes: White / Gel / Color / Effect. 2.1. White Light 1.CCT – Supports quick adjustment and touchpad-based control. 2.Source Type – Built-in common white light source library for fast selection. 3.Source Match – Quickly match any scene or cct 2.2. Gel Mode 1.Supports traditional CTO/CTB adjustments used in the film industry. 2.300+ Rosco® & Lee® lighting gels.Rosco® and Lee® trademarks and copyrights belong to their respective owners. 2.3. Color Mode 1.HSI & RGB modes for quick color adjustments. 2.XY Chromaticity Mode supports A Gamut (similar to BT.2020), DCI-P3, and BT.709 color spaces. 3.Color Picker – Instantly sample any visible color. 2.4. Effects Supports fine-tuning and control of all built-in lighting effects in Aputure fixtures. 2.5. Presets & QuickShots 1.Unlimited local presets. 2.QuickShot Scene Snapshots – Save and recall lighting setups instantly. 3. Advanced Effects Sidus Link App supports: PICKER FX MANUAL MUSIC FX Magic Program Pro/Go Magic Infinity FX 4. Compatibility 1.Sidus Link App supports connection and control of all new Aputure film lights, such as LS 300d II, MC, etc. 2.Legacy Aputure lights will require additional accessories for app connectivity and control.* 3.Supports OTA management – Network firmware and lighting updates for continuous optimization. 5. Sidus On-Set Lighting Workflow On-set workflow management – Create scenes, add devices, and quickly complete lighting setups. Console Workspace Mode – Quickly configure scenes and lighting. Group Management – Fast grouping and control of multiple fixtures. Power Management – Real-time monitoring of battery levels and remaining runtime. Device-Controller Parameter Sync – Instantly retrieve detailed device status and settings. QuickShot Scene Snapshots – Save and recall lighting setups. CC Collaboration Group Workflow Supports multi-user collaboration for controlling and adjusting lighting setups. 6. Sidus Cloud Services Free cloud storage for presets, scenes, and effects (requires compatible hardware/software; existing devices will be supported via firmware updates). CC Collaboration Group Workflow Share lighting networks with group members. Supports quick sharing via temporary verification codes. 7. UX Design Dual UI modes – Precise parameter control & WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get). Fixture Locator Button – Added to device lists and group management for quick identification. Onboarding guides – Clear instructions on adding/resetting devices.
NANLINK
Control lighting fixtures wirelessly via Bluetooth or 2.4G. Create complex lighting effects for film and video production by managing individual or multiple lights simultaneously. Enhance production efficiency with intuitive scenario and group-based controls.
- Wireless lighting control
- Bluetooth and 2.4G support
- Individual fixture control
- Synchronous multi-fixture control
- Scenario and group management
- Create lighting effects
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NANLINK APP, a wireless lighting control application designed and developed by Guangdong Nanguang Photo&Video Systems Co.,Ltd, allows for controlling light fixtures via Bluetooth Network and 2.4G Wireless Protocol. The APP is compatible with devices that run on IOS and iPadOS operating systems. Based on the design concept of scenario and group, NANLINK can assist gaffers and cinematographers with the creation of fascinating lighting effects through the full control of individual fixture and multiple fixtures synchronously, thus to achieve more production efficiency at the shooting scenes.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Sidus Link at 70% against NANLINK's 19%. Sidus Link also leads on rating (4.3 vs 2.1) and ratings volume (626 vs 92). NANLINK's advantage is iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Sidus Link holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 2.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Sidus Link has 626 ratings behind it against 92, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 70% of Sidus Link's written reviews are positive against 19% of NANLINK's.
Sidus Link ships an update every 2 weeks, NANLINK fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on August 26, 2026 and August 19, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Sidus Link | NANLINK |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.3 (626 ratings) — better | 2.1 (92 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 69.7% of reviews — better | 19.4% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 626 — better | 92 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | Fortnightly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15 | 13.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 381 MB | 82 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Sidus Link Ltd. | Guangdong Nanguang Photo&Video Systems Co., Ltd |
Customer experience
Sidus Link
NANLINK
User reviews
Sidus Link
From 626 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Intuitive and easy to use
- 🔒 Seamless connectivity
- 💡 Powerful lighting control features
- 🎨 Excellent color management
- 🌟 Comprehensive ecosystem integration
Room to improve
- 🐛 Occasional connectivity issues
- 🔁 Frequent need to reconnect
- 🕰️ Slow response times
- 🔒 Unnecessary password requirements
- 🤯 Confusing UI for advanced features
NANLINK
From 92 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 👍 Easy setup and connection (recent reviews)
- 🚀 Instant light control
- 🎨 Full color controls with multiple inputs
- 🗂️ Separate fixture groups are handy
- 🗄️ Presets save full HSL and intensity
Room to improve
- 🐛 Lights spontaneously lose connection
- 🐛 Short delay before settings appear
- 🐛 UX overhaul needed, hard to find settings
- 🐛 Presets buried deep in menus
- 🐛 App doesn't have adaptive interface for iPads
Bugs and requests
Sidus Link
Reported bugs
3 issues- App crashes on launch
- Inability to save/restore light settings
- Inconsistent behavior when switching devices
Requested features
5 requests- Artnet support for lighting automation
- Siri/voice control integration
- Dedicated desktop/tablet app
- Improved background operation and reconnection
- More comprehensive tutorials and documentation
NANLINK
Reported bugs
59 issues- Lights spontaneously lose connection
- Short delay between tapping light and settings appearing
- Presets buried several levels deep
- Lights spontaneously lose connection
- Short delay between tapping into a light and the settings coming up
Show 54 moreShow fewer
- Fixture groups not working after upgrading to Nanlink 2.0
- Lose signal if further than 8ft from unit
- App lagging and poorly working
- Constantly drops connection
- App constantly crashes
- Recent update erased presets
- Grouping issues after update
- Cannot add fixtures to groups
- App won't work without supplying personal info
- Layout doesn't adapt well to iPad, wasted space
- Login difficult, fields won't allow pasting from password manager
- No import of existing scenes on iPad
- App not working with Pavotubes
- Bluetooth not working for T8-7x
- Inconsistent operation, will not pair with lights
- Exiting and reopening app locks up trying to re-pair
- App asks for excessive permissions (photos, emails, texts)
- New update killed presets and dropped connection to all fixtures
- App doesn't work with new iPhones (dynamic island)
- Cannot go back from one tube's settings to the previous screen
- Settings don't seem to save
- CCT mode doesn't work at all
- Driving mode ambient dimming won't work
- Poor Bluetooth connection, short range
- Menu button placement issues (near phone's clock)
- Never saves profiles or auto-connects to fixtures
- App broken with iOS 16.2
- Most of the effects not working
- App can't find FS-150
- Cannot complete registration (activation code never emailed)
- App is abysmal, not user friendly
- Cannot connect to Forza 300b
- Settings changes on iPhone don't affect light
- Lose connection as soon as 2 lights are connected
- App is a complete waste of time, does nothing
- Never responsive, struggles to keep up with changing settings
- Server down, cannot create account or log in
- App crashes on login
- App crashes upon login attempt
- App crashes every time on sign in
- Overrides light values when connecting
- Impossible to fine-tune a light on a set unless connected beforehand
- Won't connect
- Fail connection in groups
- Slow app
- Doesn't see most fixtures
- Cannot get verification code to create an account
- App freezes repeatedly after entering name, password, and verification code
- Cannot login, stuck or frozen at login page
- App freezes repeatedly after entering name password and verification code
- App crashes on login with iPhone 13 pro
- App crashes at login
- App crashes upon login attempt
- App crashes every time on sign in
Requested features
13 requests- Allow individual light adjustment within groups
- Make connection more stable
- Make settings appear instantly
- UX overhaul, make important settings accessible
- Put preset saving feature front and center
Show 8 moreShow fewer
- Adaptive interface for iPads
- Master control to adjust all lights simultaneously
- Add a 'Streetlight' mode effect
- Allow users to choose between HSI & CCT control for transmitter box
- Add a demo mode
- Offline mode for app usage
- Gang effects across groups of lights for consistency
- Allow multicolor effects at assignable points
In-app purchases
Sidus Link
No in-app purchases
NANLINK
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Sidus Link free?
Is NANLINK free?
Which has better reviews, Sidus Link or NANLINK?
Do Sidus Link or NANLINK have ads?
Which is updated more often, Sidus Link or NANLINK?
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