# Lightme vs GroundGlass

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.

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

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | Lightme | GroundGlass |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (944 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lightme-lightmeter/id1509033790/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **944** | — |
| Positive reviews | 90.7% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Every 10 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 10 MB | 16 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.6** | 17.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Giuseppe Bertolini](https://appshunter.io/developer/1509033789) | [存滨 崔](https://appshunter.io/developer/1809703940) |

## 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)


### GroundGlass

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/groundglass/id6747068863)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


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