Comparison

Lightme vs GroundGlass

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

GroundGlass

This app helps large format photographers meticulously log every detail of their shoots. It automatically calculates settings, supports Zone System metering, and manages film workflows. Export records, analyze trends, and access a comprehensive equipment database.

Highlights
  • Complete shooting records
  • Zone System metering
  • iCloud Sync
  • Film workflow management
  • Record templates
  • PDF export
  • Statistics & analysis
Features
Read full description

GroundGlass is a shooting log app built for large format photographers. Whether you shoot 4x5, 8x10 or any other format, GroundGlass captures every detail of the moment you press the shutter — from exposure settings and Zone System metering to camera movements and development records. KEY FEATURES ◆ Complete shooting records — Camera, lens, aperture, shutter, film, filters and movements, all in one place. Effective aperture is calculated automatically from bellows extension; holder numbers are one tap away. ◆ Zone System metering — Full metering workflow in the spirit of Ansel Adams: multiple readings, base subject selection, exposure decisions, with the zone distribution at a glance. Includes a built-in spot meter with pinch zoom. ◆ iCloud Sync — Records and equipment sync across your devices through your private iCloud database. Switch phones without worry. The developer has no access to your data. ◆ Film workflow — Record status (Shot → Developed → Scanned), film holder management, stock tracking with automatic sheet deduction, and batch development entry. From loading to archiving, everything is on file. ◆ Record templates — Save your go-to camera/lens/film combinations and apply them with one tap. ◆ PDF export — Index label PDFs for film sleeves and full-page record archive PDFs, with preview before sharing. ◆ Statistics & analysis — Shooting trends, gear usage, parameter distributions and a shooting calendar heat map, exportable as a report. ◆ Shooting map — All geotagged records gathered on one map. Revisit your footsteps. ◆ Calculators — Reciprocity failure, bellows exposure compensation, and depth of field with per-format circle of confusion presets. ◆ Extensive equipment database — About 180 large format camera models from 25 brands, including Linhof, Sinar, Arca-Swiss, Chamonix and Ebony. Lens presets from Schneider, Rodenstock, Fujinon, Nikkor and more. ◆ Professional filter management — Structured selection by brand, type and strength, including center filters, with automatic stacked compensation. ◆ Map-based location — One-tap locate, with reverse geocoding for place names and coordinates. ◆ Data backup — JSON import/export, with or without photos. Your data is always yours. ◆ Darkroom-themed interface — Amber-toned design with card layouts, made for photographers. Your data lives on your device and in your private iCloud database. We collect no personal information. Large format photography begins with a record.

Screenshots

Lightme4 screens
GroundGlass4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: GroundGlass at none against Lightme's 4. GroundGlass also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 91%). Lightme's advantage is iOS requirement (15.6 vs 17.6). 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. GroundGlass asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Lightme ships an update every 3 weeks, GroundGlass every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Lightme versus GroundGlass: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLightmeGroundGlass
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (944 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews90.7% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings944 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 10 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.6 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size10 MB16 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGiuseppe Bertolini存滨 崔

Customer experience

Lightme

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

GroundGlass

Written reviews5 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
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)

GroundGlass

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

GroundGlass

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Lightme free?
Lightme is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is GroundGlass free?
GroundGlass is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Lightme or GroundGlass have ads?
Neither Lightme nor GroundGlass shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Lightme or GroundGlass?
Lightme ships an update every 3 weeks, and GroundGlass every 10 days. Most recently, Lightme was updated on October 30, 2026 and GroundGlass on October 28, 2026.

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