Lightme vs LightMeter35
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Multiple exposure settings display
- One-handed operation
- Spot metering with zoom
- Reciprocity failure compensation
- Pinhole mode
- Incident light metering
- Film database
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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!
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.
- Light meter for film photographers
- Simple UI
- Statistic-based lux calculation
- Skeuomorphic design
- On-the-go usability
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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
Verdict
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
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.
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.
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.
| Parameter | Lightme | LightMeter35 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $3.99 |
| Rating | 4.8 (918 ratings) | 5.0 (6 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 90.5% of reviews — better | 88.9% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 918 — better | 6 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks — better | Every 6 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases — better | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 — better | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 9 MB | 3 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Giuseppe Bertolini | 徐阳 王 |
Customer experience
Lightme
LightMeter35
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
Lightme
- Espresso ristretto$1.99
- Pecorino Romano$4.99
- Guanciale$9.99
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- Parmigiano$16.99
- Pizza for two$29.99
- Do this full-time$59.99
LightMeter35
No in-app purchases






