# Lightme vs The Darkroom Lab

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.

Both are free to download. Lightme sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. The Darkroom Lab asks for nothing beyond the download.

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.

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

## The numbers

| Metric | Lightme | The Darkroom Lab |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (950 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lightme-lightmeter/id1509033790/reviews)** | [3.7 (90 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-darkroom-lab/id1528784514/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **950** | 90 |
| Positive reviews | **90.7% of reviews** | 44.7% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 10 MB | 52 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | **15.1** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Giuseppe Bertolini](https://appshunter.io/developer/1509033789) | [The Darkroom](https://appshunter.io/developer/1528784516) |

## What reviewers say

### Lightme

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lightme-lightmeter/id1509033790)

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:** Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Guanciale | $9.99 | one-time |
| Parmigiano | $16.99 | one-time |
| Pizza for two | $29.99 | one-time |
| Do this full-time | $59.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

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

**Requested features**

- 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

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-darkroom-lab/id1528784514)

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:** Apple Wallet, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked 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.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*