Comparison

TracingMat vs Screen Light Color

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

Head to head
About

TracingMat

Transform your device into a digital light table for tracing. Display an image and overlay your paper to easily copy designs. Adjust brightness, zoom, and rotate for optimal tracing conditions.

Highlights
  • Use device as a light table
  • Overlay paper for tracing
  • Adjustable screen brightness
  • Image zoom and pan
  • Image flip and rotate
  • Add images via import or camera
Features
Read full description

"Tracing Mat" is an app for using your iPad or iPhone as a light table. After displaying the image you want to copy on the app, place the copy destination paper on it and trace the image that can be seen through under the paper. It is also possible to prepare the manuscript on paper, stack the copy destination paper on it, place it on the screen, and illuminate it from below with this application. [How to use] Tap the “gear” button on the upper right to enter the setting mode. In the setting mode, add the image to be displayed with the “+” button or "Camera" button at the bottom left. You can also add text using the "T" button. Tapping a displayed image or text highlights it with a yellow frame; in this state, you can move it by dragging, or zoom in and out using a pinch gesture. Images and text can also be flipped or rotated, while text can be edited or have its styling modified. You can save the current image and text layout with the “Save” button, and restore the saved layout later with the “Load” button, even after restarting the app. The screen brightness can be adjusted with the slider bar at the bottom right. When you tap the “left arrow” button on the upper left to exit the setting mode, the displayed image and text will be fixed, so place a piece of paper on the screen and trace it. [Caution] - I think it is easier to see the image under the paper if the room is darkened a little. - Attach a protective film, etc., to prevent the display from being scratched during copying. - Please use this application at your own risk. We do not take any responsibility for the disadvantage caused by using this application.

About

Screen Light Color

Transform your device's screen into a customizable light panel without distractions. Easily adjust to any color for various uses, from photography to tracing and mood lighting. Unlock advanced features like precise color temperature control and external display mirroring through in-app purchases.

Highlights
  • Adjustable color panel
  • Distraction-free interface
  • Photography lighting
  • Tracing and animation lightbox
  • Color matching reference
  • Night light functionality
  • External display control
Features
Read full description

Turn your iPhone or iPad into a clean, full-screen color light. Pick any color, adjust the brightness, then hide the controls so the display becomes the light — with nothing else in the way. Screen Light Color is useful as: → A studio light for accent or soft fill lighting → A lightbox / light table for tracing, drawing, animation, film negatives, radiographs, and more → A color reference and matching tool → A night light or screen flashlight → A red light for stargazing, night walks, or darkroom use → A beacon, visual signal, or mood light Made to stay out of your way: → Open colors from Home Screen widgets or Control Center → Use Siri and Shortcuts to open the app and set colors → Use Split View and multiple windows on iPad, each with its own color → Temporarily disable touch to prevent accidental taps or palm input → Use custom in-app screen brightness without changing your device brightness elsewhere → Navigate the app with VoiceOver Want more control? An optional in-app purchase unlocks: → Precision white-balance controls for warmer or cooler light, including magenta/green tint → Hue, saturation, brightness, RGB, and HEX controls → Saving as many custom color swatches as you want → Sync saved colors across your devices with iCloud → External-display support, so you can turn a TV or connected display into a larger light panel using AirPlay or a cable Simple when you want it. Precise when you need it.

Screenshots

TracingMat4 screens
Screen Light Color4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Screen Light Color at 4.5 against TracingMat's 3.8. Screen Light Color also leads on ads (none vs shown) and review sentiment (90% vs 65%). TracingMat's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and iOS requirement (12.4 vs 15.0). On price 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. Screen Light Color sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. TracingMat asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Screen Light Color holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Screen Light Color has 485 ratings behind it against 23, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 65% of TracingMat's written reviews are positive against 90% of Screen Light Color's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

TracingMat ships an update every 3 months, Screen Light Color every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
TracingMat versus Screen Light Color: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTracingMatScreen Light Color
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.8 (23 ratings)4.5 (485 ratings) — better
Positive reviews64.5% of reviews89.6% of reviews — better
Number of ratings23485 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 5 weeks — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationAd-supported — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.4 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size5 MB4 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperYoko NishimuraBrian Li Sui Fong

Customer experience

TracingMat

All ratings23 ratings
Positive69.6%
Neutral0.0%
Negative30.4%
Written reviews31 reviews
Positive64.5%
Neutral6.5%
Negative29.0%

Screen Light Color

All ratings485 ratings
Positive87.4%
Neutral4.1%
Negative8.5%
Written reviews67 reviews
Positive89.6%
Neutral3.0%
Negative7.5%

Bugs and requests

TracingMat

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Screen Light Color

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Paid features not functioning as advertised
  • Compatibility issues with older devices

Requested features

4 requests
  • Ability to show multiple colors at once
  • Random color generator slideshow option
  • Support for Split View on iPad
  • Option to add the app to Control Center

In-app purchases

None

TracingMat

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Screen Light Color

One-time2
  • Tip Jar$3.99
  • Unlock Extra Features$3.99

Questions

Is TracingMat free?
TracingMat is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Screen Light Color free?
Screen Light Color is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, TracingMat or Screen Light Color?
Screen Light Color is rated higher. TracingMat averages 3.8 out of 5 from 23 ratings, while Screen Light Color averages 4.5 from 485 ratings.
Do TracingMat or Screen Light Color have ads?
TracingMat shows ads; Screen Light Color does not.
Which is updated more often, TracingMat or Screen Light Color?
TracingMat ships an update every 3 months, and Screen Light Color every 5 weeks. Most recently, TracingMat was updated on October 13, 2026 and Screen Light Color on October 16, 2026.

Other comparisons