Comparison

Set Light vs Vari

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

Head to head
About

Set Light

Configure ETC products wirelessly using NFC or a Bluetooth bridge. Address and set RDM labels, personalities, and DMX addresses for your fixtures. Plan configurations in advance and push them when ready.

Highlights
  • NFC configuration of ETC products
  • Wireless addressing and configuration
  • Bluetooth bridge connectivity
  • RDM label, personality, and DMX address setting
  • Save and push configurations
Features
Read full description

Set Light provides NFC configuration of your ETC products. Hold your mobile device to the NFC tag of a compatible product to wirelessly address and configure it. You can transfer information via NFC even if power is off. You can also connect to your ETC and High End Systems fixtures via a bluetooth bridge such as City Theatrical’s DMXcat® or Multiverse® Transmitter. Once connected, identify and set the RDM label, personality, and DMX address of your fixtures. Save time by planning your configurations in advance and pushing them to your fixtures when ready.

About

Vari

Control your lighting console remotely from any location. Program, adjust, and manage your show with features like command line access, cue playback, and fader control. Ideal for lighting professionals seeking flexibility and precision.

Highlights
  • Remote console control
  • Command line access
  • Cue playback management
  • Groups & palettes editing
  • Advanced color picker
  • Fader control
  • Interactive magic sheets
  • Patch table editing
Features
Read full description

VL Remote – VariLite NEO Console Control Take full control of your VariLite NEO console from anywhere in the venue. VL Remote puts professional lighting control in the palm of your hand, giving you the freedom to program, adjust, and manage your show from the stage, the stalls, or anywhere in between. Command Line Access - Execute commands in real time, just as you would at the console. Make precise adjustments on the fly without interrupting your workflow. Cue Playback Control - Manage cue lists and trigger playback from wherever you need to be. Stay in sync with your show without being tied to the console. Groups & Palettes - Access, edit, and apply groups and palettes instantly to accelerate programming and keep your session moving. Advanced Color Picker - Dial in exact colors with a powerful, intuitive color picker designed for speed and precision in demanding production environments. Fader Control - Make real-time level adjustments remotely, giving you hands-on control without returning to the desk. Magic Sheets - Visualize your rig and select fixtures intuitively using fully interactive magic sheets. Patch Table - View and edit your patch data whether you're online or working offline — ideal for preparation and troubleshooting. Task Tracking - Keep your production organized with integrated task management, so nothing gets missed during busy shows. Messaging - Communicate directly with your console operators through built-in messaging, keeping your entire team in sync. VL Remote is built for lighting professionals who demand flexibility and precision. Whether you're on a world tour or setting up a one-night show, VL Remote keeps you in control — wherever you are.

Screenshots

Set Light4 screens
Vari4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Set Light at 4.5 against Vari's 3.0. Set Light also leads on ratings volume (12 vs 2). Vari's advantage is iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). On price, review sentiment, update cadence and ads 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Set Light holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Set Light has 12 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 0% and 0% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Set Light versus Vari: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSet LightVari
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (12 ratings) — better3.0 (2 ratings)
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings12 — better2
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size31 MB57 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperElectronic Theatre Controls, Inc.Signify Netherlands B.V.

Customer experience

Set Light

All ratings12 ratings
Positive83.3%
Neutral8.3%
Negative8.3%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral100.0%
Negative0.0%

Vari

All ratings2 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

In-app purchases

None

Set Light

No in-app purchases

None

Vari

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Set Light free?
Set Light is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Vari free?
Vari is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Set Light or Vari?
Set Light is rated higher. Set Light averages 4.5 out of 5 from 12 ratings, while Vari averages 3.0 from 2 ratings.
Do Set Light or Vari have ads?
Neither Set Light nor Vari shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Set Light or Vari?
Set Light ships an update every 2 months, and Vari every 2 months. Most recently, Set Light was updated on October 12, 2026 and Vari on October 6, 2026.

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