Comparison

Set Light vs StageTools

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

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

Set Light4 screens
StageTools4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: StageTools at 5.0 against Set Light's 4.5. StageTools also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 2 months). Set Light's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and ratings volume (12 vs 3). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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. StageTools sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Set Light asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

StageTools holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 12 and 3 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Set Light ships an update every 2 months, StageTools every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 19, 2026 and August 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Set Light versus StageTools: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSet LightStageTools
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (12 ratings)5.0 (3 ratings) — better
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings12 — better3
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size31 MB87 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperElectronic Theatre Controls, Inc.X0 Lighting Control Inc.

In-app purchases

None

Set Light

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

StageTools

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

Questions

Is Set Light free?
Set Light is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is StageTools free?
StageTools is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Set Light or StageTools?
StageTools is rated higher. Set Light averages 4.5 out of 5 from 12 ratings, while StageTools averages 5.0 from 3 ratings.
Do Set Light or StageTools have ads?
Neither Set Light nor StageTools shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Set Light or StageTools?
Set Light ships an update every 2 months, and StageTools every 2 weeks. Most recently, Set Light was updated on September 19, 2026 and StageTools on August 31, 2026.

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