Comparison

Lightme vs LightMeter35

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

LightMeter35

This app provides film photographers with a digital light meter, featuring a simple interface and precise lux calculations. It has been redesigned with skeuomorphic elements to enhance the analog photography experience.

Highlights
  • Light meter for film photographers
  • Simple UI
  • Statistic-based lux calculation
  • Skeuomorphic design
  • On-the-go usability
Read full description

I once bought a second-hand film camera, but the built-in light meter was broken. Then I started to build this lightweight light meter for all film photographers. A simple UI with a very hard-core, statistic-based, lux calculation inside. The only light meter you will need on the go. After a dozen months of absence, I am back and redesigned the whole UI from scratch, bringing back great skeuomorphism time. Don't miss out on this amazing opportunity to enhance your film photography journey with LightMeter35 2.0! Download the app now and join our growing community of analog lovers. Experience the magic of capturing moments on film with the most reliable and intuitive light meter app on the market.

Screenshots

Lightme4 screens
LightMeter351 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Lightme at Free against LightMeter35's $3.99. Lightme also leads on ratings volume (918 vs 6) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 6 weeks). LightMeter35's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 6) and rating (5.0 vs 4.8). On review sentiment, ads 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

Lightme is free to download; LightMeter35 costs $3.99 up front. Lightme sells 6 one-off in-app purchases. LightMeter35 asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

LightMeter35 holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Lightme has 918 ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 91% of Lightme's written reviews are positive against 89% of LightMeter35's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Lightme ships an update every 3 weeks, LightMeter35 every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 2, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Lightme versus LightMeter35: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLightmeLightMeter35
PriceFree — better$3.99
Rating4.8 (918 ratings)5.0 (6 ratings) — better
Positive reviews90.5% of reviews — better88.9% of reviews
Number of ratings918 — better6
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 6 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.6 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size9 MB3 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGiuseppe Bertolini徐阳 王

Customer experience

Lightme

All ratings918 ratings
Positive96.5%
Neutral1.3%
Negative2.2%
Written reviews211 reviews
Positive90.5%
Neutral1.9%
Negative7.6%

LightMeter35

All ratings6 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews9 reviews
Positive88.9%
Neutral11.1%
Negative0.0%

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)

LightMeter35

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

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
None

LightMeter35

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Lightme free?
Lightme is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is LightMeter35 free?
LightMeter35 costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Lightme or LightMeter35?
LightMeter35 is rated higher. Lightme averages 4.8 out of 5 from 918 ratings, while LightMeter35 averages 5.0 from 6 ratings.
Do Lightme or LightMeter35 have ads?
Neither Lightme nor LightMeter35 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Lightme or LightMeter35?
Lightme ships an update every 3 weeks, and LightMeter35 every 6 weeks. Most recently, Lightme was updated on October 2, 2026 and LightMeter35 on September 22, 2026.

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