Comparison

ExView® vs Light Meter LM

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

Head to head
About

ExView®

This app connects to compatible meters to collect, trend, and analyze environmental data remotely. It allows for real-time monitoring, setting alarms, and generating custom PDF reports with photos. Data can be easily shared with team members.

Highlights
  • Remote data collection and trending
  • Real-time dashboard view
  • Bluetooth connectivity up to 90m
  • Programmable high/low alarms
  • Export data as CSV
  • Generate custom PDF reports
  • Attach photos to reports
Read full description

About the ExView® The EXTECH 250W Series compatible with the ExView® Mobile App. Connect up to 8 meters of any combination to measure and trend various parameters to help accurately diagnose environmental conditions and inspect/maintain HVAC and rotating equipment. The ExView® Mobile App is an easy-to-use powerful mobile data collection and reporting app. The dashboard provides a quick at-a-glance view of real-time data being collected from all of your EXTECH 250W connected meters. Users can monitor and collect data remotely from the meter(s), this is especially useful when you need to collect data in difficult to access areas. The meter(s) will communicate with the app via Bluetooth® up to a distance of 90 m (295 ft). In addition, you can set min/max alarms to improve response times to potential issues. The app enables you to quickly share data with team members either as a quick .CSV file or a comprehensive PDF report that can include photos of the impacted area/equipment. App Highlights Include: • Portable data collection, trending, analysis and reporting • Visualize Data and trends on your mobile device • Programmable High/Low audible alarms • Export data in .CSV file format • Generate Custom report in PDF • Take snapshots of the measurement area with your smart device • Day mode/Dark mode screen feature • Share data files directly from your mobile device • Connect up to 8 EXTECH 250W meters, any combination • AN250W Anemometer • LT250W Light Meter • SL250W Sound Level Meter • RH250W Hygro-Thermometer • RPM250W Laser Tachometer Please supply all feedback to: feedback@extech.com Thank you. EXTECH Digital Solutions Team

About

Light Meter LM

Transform your smartphone into a professional light meter. Measure illuminance and color temperature with scientifically validated accuracy, trusted by professionals. Requires a simple diffuser for precise readings.

Highlights
  • Measure illuminance (lux/foot-candle)
  • Measure color temperature (Kelvin)
  • Industry-leading accuracy
  • Pre-calibrated for your device
  • Low light sensitivity
  • Save peak reading
  • Custom calibration option
Read full description

Turn your smartphone into a professional-grade light meter. Measure illuminance (lux/foot-candle) and color temperature (CCT in Kelvin) with unmatched accuracy — trusted by photographers, engineers, and lighting professionals worldwide. Why waste money on a hardware meter when you’re already carrying one in your pocket? The LM-3000 offers the same quality and usability as a traditional hardware light meter. Developed by optics scientists at the Zurich University of Applied Sciences, LM-3000 is the only light meter app scientifically validated for accuracy. It achieves professional-grade precision by leveraging your iPhone's front-facing camera sensor with advanced RAW image processing. Unlike relying on estimates like other apps, it adheres to the ISO/CIE 19476 standard, ensuring measurements you can trust for critical applications. MEASUREMENTS ⎷ Illuminance in lux or foot-candles ⎷ Correlated color temperature in kelvin FEATURES ⎷ Industry-leading accuracy, matching professional high-end lux meters ⎷ Pre-calibrated for your specific device ⎷ Excellent low light sensitivity to detect light pollution ⎷ No ads ⎷ No Bluetooth and location permission required ⎷ In-app manual ⎷ Save peak reading ⎷ HOLD function with acoustic signal ⎷ Custom calibration option to align readings to another meter DIFFUSER REQUIRED Like every real light meter, the LM-3000 requires a diffuser to measure accurately. A diffuser scatters incoming light evenly on the sensor and prevents hotspots. While it may sound complex, the solution is surprisingly easy. You have two options: 1) Easily build a diffuser yourself in less than a minute using standard printer paper. This is accurate enough for most use cases. 2) Get the dedicated Diffuser Accessory (free worldwide shipping) for best accuracy and convenience. More details on https://lightray.io/diffuser/ (!) Avoid apps that don’t require a diffuser! They are inaccurate because they ignore the basic physics of light measurement. TRY BEFORE YOU BUY The LM-3000 is free to download and comes with a free trial period. The trial period lasts for two non-consecutive days, giving you enough time to see if the app fits your needs. The status of your free trial will be shown as the "battery level" on the top right of the LM-3000's display and on the "Battery Status" screen. Once your light meter's "battery" is depleted, you may choose a Charging Option to keep using the app. You can pick what works best for you: → Single Charge — top-up for another 48 hours (perfect for occasional use), → Continuous Charging — a monthly subscription (great if you use it regularly), → Unlimited Battery — a one-time purchase for unlimited lifetime access LM-3000 is the result of over five years of dedicated research and development, ensuring you get a tool that is precise and reliable. Every in-app purchase supports future development and helps keep the app ad-free for everyone. As a member of 1% for the Planet, we donate at least one percent of all revenue to environmental non-profits — this is our way of giving back. ACCURACY Accuracy is not an afterthought — Apps developed by Lightray Innovation are developed according to the ISO/CIE 19476 standard. Thanks to RAW image processing and a default calibration per device model they’re able to match the performance of high quality traditional hardware light meters. To ensure quality we rigorously test our apps regularly on upcoming devices. DOWNLOAD FOR FREE. TRUSTED BY MILLIONS. LM-3000 is the go-to light meter for photographers, professionals, engineers, and lighting enthusiasts who rely on accurate measurements — not estimates or guesswork. Download for free today and experience the difference! See the app in action: https://youtu.be/EJW7NfE2qCk Terms and Conditions: https://lightray.io/lightmeter/terms/

Screenshots

ExView®4 screens
Light Meter LM4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: ExView® at 5.0 against Light Meter LM's 4.5. ExView® also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 3) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). Light Meter LM's advantage is update cadence (monthly vs every 6 months) and ratings volume (2.6K vs 1). On price, 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. Light Meter LM sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.49 per month. ExView® asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

ExView® holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Light Meter LM has 2.6K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ExView® ships an update every 6 months, Light Meter LM monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 8, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
ExView® versus Light Meter LM: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterExView®Light Meter LM
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better4.5 (2.6K ratings)
Positive reviews—40.3% of reviews
Number of ratings12.6K — better
Update frequencyEvery 6 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size92 MB22 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperExtech Instruments CorporationLightray Innovation GmbH

Customer experience

ExView®

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Light Meter LM

All ratings2,554 ratings
Positive88.1%
Neutral3.6%
Negative8.3%
Written reviews201 reviews
Positive40.3%
Neutral5.5%
Negative54.2%

Bugs and requests

ExView®

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Light Meter LM

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Diffuser not recognized even when used
  • App locks up/crashes
  • Constant diffuser pop-up interruptions

Requested features

3 requests
  • Ability to use rear camera
  • More flexible diffuser options
  • Improved accuracy without diffuser

In-app purchases

None

ExView®

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

Light Meter LM

Subscriptions1
  • Continuous Charging$3.491 Month
One-time2
  • Single Charge$0.99
  • Unlimited Battery$19.99

Questions

Is ExView® free?
ExView® is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Light Meter LM free?
Light Meter LM is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, ExView® or Light Meter LM?
ExView® is rated higher. ExView® averages 5.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while Light Meter LM averages 4.5 from 2.6K ratings.
Do ExView® or Light Meter LM have ads?
Neither ExView® nor Light Meter LM shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ExView® or Light Meter LM?
ExView® ships an update every 6 months, and Light Meter LM monthly. Most recently, ExView® was updated on September 8, 2026 and Light Meter LM on September 23, 2026.

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