Comparison

Lightme vs The Darkroom Lab

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

Head to head
About

Lightme

This app provides a powerful yet simple light metering tool for photographers. It offers advanced features like spot metering, zone system implementation, and reciprocity failure compensation, alongside a clean interface for easy one-handed use. It supports a wide range of films and camera setups, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced users.

Highlights
  • Multiple aperture/shutterspeed combinations
  • Spot metering with variable zoom
  • Automatic reciprocity failure compensation
  • Pinhole mode with timer
  • Incident light metering with calibration
  • Black and white preview
  • Film stock selection
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

The Darkroom Lab

View your developed film photos as soon as they are scanned. This app connects you to a professional film developing service with decades of experience.

Highlights
  • View scanned film photos
  • Professional film developing
  • Experienced lab professionals
  • Access photos as soon as scanned
Features
Read full description

Since 1976 The Darkroom has developed literally millions of rolls of film with experienced lab professionals and film enthusiasts This free app enables you to view your photos as soon as they've been scanned in the lab.

Screenshots

Lightme4 screens
The Darkroom Lab4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Lightme at 91% against The Darkroom Lab's 45%. Lightme also leads on rating (4.8 vs 3.7) and ratings volume (950 vs 90). The Darkroom Lab's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4). On price, update cadence, ads 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. Lightme sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. The Darkroom Lab asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Lightme holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Lightme has 950 ratings behind it against 90, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 91% of Lightme's written reviews are positive against 45% of The Darkroom Lab's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on November 3, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Lightme versus The Darkroom Lab: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLightmeThe Darkroom Lab
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (950 ratings) — better3.7 (90 ratings)
Positive reviews90.7% of reviews — better44.7% of reviews
Number of ratings950 — better90
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.615.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size10 MB52 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGiuseppe BertoliniThe Darkroom

Customer experience

Lightme

All ratings944 ratings
Positive96.6%
Neutral1.3%
Negative2.1%
Written reviews215 reviews
Positive90.7%
Neutral1.9%
Negative7.4%

The Darkroom Lab

All ratings90 ratings
Positive62.2%
Neutral7.8%
Negative30.0%
Written reviews38 reviews
Positive44.7%
Neutral13.2%
Negative42.1%

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)

The Darkroom Lab

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

4 purchases

Lightme

One-time4
  • Guanciale$9.99
  • Parmigiano$16.99
  • Pizza for two$29.99
Show 1 more
  • Do this full-time$59.99
None

The Darkroom Lab

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Lightme free?
Lightme is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is The Darkroom Lab free?
The Darkroom Lab is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Lightme or The Darkroom Lab?
Lightme is rated higher. Lightme averages 4.8 out of 5 from 950 ratings, while The Darkroom Lab averages 3.7 from 90 ratings.
Do Lightme or The Darkroom Lab have ads?
Neither Lightme nor The Darkroom Lab shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Lightme or The Darkroom Lab?
Lightme ships an update every 3 weeks, and The Darkroom Lab every 3 weeks. Most recently, Lightme was updated on November 3, 2026 and The Darkroom Lab on November 3, 2026.

Other comparisons