Comparison

Lightme vs Capture One

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

Head to head
About

Lightme

This powerful light meter app offers a clean, intuitive interface optimized for one-handed use. It displays multiple aperture and shutter speed combinations simultaneously, aiding quick setting selection. Suitable for beginners and experienced photographers alike, it includes advanced features like spot metering, reciprocity failure compensation, and pinhole mode.

Highlights
  • Multiple exposure settings display
  • One-handed operation
  • Spot metering with zoom
  • Reciprocity failure compensation
  • Pinhole mode
  • Incident light metering
  • Film database
Features
Read full description

Lightme - Lightmeter is a clean, simple to use yet very powerful lightmeter. It is optimised for an easy one-handed use, both for left-handed and right-handed users, with the main controls within your thumb's reach, without the fatiguing juggling of your precious smartphone. A core distinguishing feature of Lightme - Lightmeter is that - differently from most of the other apps - it can show multiple combinations of valid settings for aperture and shutterspeed at the same time by working like a - stretched out - old needle and wheel lightmeter. This allows the user to quickly pick the desired settings without having to scroll on a tiny wheel picker. The app is designed to be welcoming to people who are just starting out, with a simple one-button use. But it offers many useful and advanced features for the more experienced shooters/users: Continuous metering (by pressing and holding or double tapping the measure button) Spot metering with a variable zoom (for more precision) which also supports average metering, and a very intuitive implementation of the zone system Automatic reciprocity failure compensation (for 25+ films, if you see exposure times in red, they are being compensated) A dedicated pinhole mode with precise exposure times for user defined apertures (multiple apertures at a time), with the possibility of setting a timer (through a shortcut) Incident light metering with calibration when using the front facing camera And more ... It also includes some other features that are enjoyable by any kind of user: Black and white preview The ability to use any of the cameras on your smartphone (swipe left/right on the preview) Multiple presets for your different camera/film/lens setups Framelines for previewing your shot, before setting up your tripod etc. A searchable list of useful tips to make better use of the application's potential A searchable list of more than 70 films to choose from with the possibility of selecting a few favourites Dark mode support and a useful level of customisation You can find even more info in the tips inside the app or you can have a look at full user manual by tapping on manual (in the settings) The app is free in all its many functionalities, but it offers In-App-Purchases in order to support the project. The only minor perk you can enable only via certain IAPs is the replacement of the Ad button with a label containing the name of your current preset, check under settings -> coffee for more info. Don't panic though, even if there's an Ad button it doesn't mean I'm going to show you ads. In fact unless you decide to tap on that button I'm never going to show you any. But if you have a few minutes to spare, watching a few of them sure helps keeping this project alive :) Try it, and, if you like it, share it with your friends and consider writing a (mini) review ;) Have a nice day, and good light!

About

Capture One

Edit and organize RAW photos on your mobile device, tethering directly to your camera. Collaborate with clients in real-time, apply edits instantly, and maintain incredible color quality. Seamlessly transfer your work to desktop for final touches.

Highlights
  • Retouch Faces
  • Sessions Support
  • External Storage backup
  • Tether camera to mobile
  • Real-time image review
  • Instant sharing and collaboration
  • Apply edits as you shoot
  • RAW conversion and color editing
Features
Read full description

GREAT IMPROVEMENTS TO MOBILE * With Retouch Faces, you can complete your post-work on the fly and deliver your images on location. * Sessions Support enables you to stay organized with nested folders and track your selections. * Work and backup as you please with External Storage, so you’re not limited by your mobile storage. SHOOT INTO MOBILE & SHOWCASE YOUR STYLE Forget the heavy laptop. Tether your camera directly to your iPhone or iPad, wired or wirelessly. Shoot, review, and showcase your images in real time. Impress clients and make sure you get the perfect shot on the spot. SHARE, RATE, COLLABORATE Share shots instantly with teams and clients, get comments, star ratings, and color tags, and keep all feedback in one place, no matter where everyone is. APPLY EDITS AS YOU SHOOT Turn RAWs into near-final images instantly. Make quick edits and auto-apply the same look as you shoot for faster, clearer client feedback during the session. INCREDIBLE COLOR QUALITY Get our renowned RAW conversion and hand-calibrated colors right on your mobile screen, for true-to-life tones and perfect skin every time. STYLE & EDIT ON THE FLY AirDrop your favorite presets and Styles, or create your own. Apply them in a tap, auto-create complex masks, correct perspective, straighten shots, and edit freely on the go. DELIVER ANYWHERE Export to an external SSD, or send your work to Capture One Pro with all edits and ratings intact, so you can start on mobile and finish on desktop seamlessly. WORK WITH ANY CAMERA Supports 550+ cameras from Canon, Sony, Nikon, FUJIFILM, Leica, and more. Control your camera, fire the shutter, and adjust settings right from your device. PRICING & PLANS Start with a 7-day free trial of Capture One Mobile. Continue with a mobile subscription, or go All in One to get: * Capture One Pro (desktop) * Capture One Mobile * Capture One Live Unlimited * Priority support Upgrade to All in One and get the complete photo workflow, from capture to delivery.

Screenshots

Lightme4 screens
Capture One4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Lightme at 91% against Capture One's 18%. Lightme also leads on rating (4.8 vs 3.5) and iOS requirement (15.6 vs 17.0). On price, ratings volume, 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. Lightme sells 6 one-off in-app purchases and Capture One sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $10.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Lightme holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 925 and 329 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 91% of Lightme's written reviews are positive against 18% of Capture One's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Lightme ships an update every 3 weeks, Capture One fortnightly. Both last shipped on October 15, 2026.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Lightme versus Capture One: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLightmeCapture One
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (925 ratings) — better3.5 (329 ratings)
Positive reviews90.7% of reviews — better18.0% of reviews
Number of ratings925 — better329
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.6 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size9 MB1.2 GB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGiuseppe BertoliniCapture One A/S

Customer experience

Lightme

All ratings925 ratings
Positive96.5%
Neutral1.3%
Negative2.2%
Written reviews214 reviews
Positive90.7%
Neutral1.9%
Negative7.5%

Capture One

All ratings329 ratings
Positive59.0%
Neutral5.2%
Negative35.9%
Written reviews456 reviews
Positive18.0%
Neutral14.5%
Negative67.5%

User reviews

Lightme

From 925 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Accurate metering
  • 👍 Intuitive and clean interface
  • 💡 Comprehensive features (spot metering, zone system, film stock selection, etc.)
  • 🚀 Consistently accurate exposures
  • 👍 Thoughtful design with user's needs in mind

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional crashes or freezes
  • 👎 Confusing or cluttered interface for some users
  • 👎 Tedious film selection process
  • 🐛 Inaccurate metering in certain lighting conditions

Capture One

From 329 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Excellent tethering capability
  • 👍 Intuitive and easy-to-use interface
  • 🚀 Fast image rendering
  • 👍 Great for culling and rating photos on the go
  • 👍 Seamless integration with desktop Capture One

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent crashes and stability issues
  • 🔒 Requires separate subscription even for desktop users
  • 👎 Severely limited editing features compared to desktop version
  • 👎 Slow cloud sync and lack of external storage support
  • 👎 Unintuitive file management and export workflow

Bugs and requests

Lightme

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Crashes on iOS 16
  • Metering issues with certain camera/lens combinations

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add shutter angle adjustment for cinematography
  • Implement ISO lock feature
  • Add more film stock profiles
  • Improve film selection process (e.g. search, categories)
  • Provide more customization options (e.g. interface themes)

Capture One

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Inability to log in due to keyboard not appearing
  • Inconsistent behavior when importing and exporting photos
  • Crashes when attempting to use certain editing features
  • Issues with wireless tethering and connection stability

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add layers, masks, curves, and other advanced editing tools
  • Enable direct import from camera/SD card, not just cloud sync
  • Allow opening and editing desktop Capture One sessions/catalogs
  • Improve tethering functionality with live view and camera control
  • Provide option to purchase app outright instead of subscription

In-app purchases

6 purchases

Lightme

One-time6
  • Espresso ristretto$1.99
  • Pecorino Romano$4.99
  • Guanciale$9.99
Show 3 more
  • Parmigiano$16.99
  • Pizza for two$29.99
  • Do this full-time$59.99
4 purchases

Capture One

Subscriptions4
  • Capture One mobile7 Days trial$10.991 Month
  • All in One7 Days trial$39.991 Month
  • Capture One mobile7 Days trial$109.001 Year
Show 1 more
  • All in One7 Days trial$294.991 Year

Questions

Is Lightme free?
Lightme is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Capture One free?
Capture One is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Lightme or Capture One?
Lightme is rated higher. Lightme averages 4.8 out of 5 from 925 ratings, while Capture One averages 3.5 from 329 ratings.
Do Lightme or Capture One have ads?
Neither Lightme nor Capture One shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Lightme or Capture One?
Lightme ships an update every 3 weeks, and Capture One fortnightly. Most recently, Lightme was updated on October 15, 2026 and Capture One on October 15, 2026.

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