Comparison

Light Meter LM vs PPFD METER

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

Head to head
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/

About

PPFD METER

This app measures light intensity for plants, converting LUX to PPFD and DLI. It offers advanced light mapping, uniformity analysis, and efficiency insights to optimize plant growth. Customize profiles for different environments and growth stages.

Highlights
  • LUX, PPFD, DLI, and PAR measurements
  • Light mapping and distribution analysis
  • Uniformity and PPF evaluation
  • Energy efficiency and consumption tracking
  • Customizable setting profiles
  • Bluetooth sensor integration
Read full description

Perfect for both seasoned gardeners and beginners, PPFD Meter sets itself apart from standard grow light meter apps with its comprehensive features and intuitive design. Using your phone's built-in sensors or the acclaimed UNI-T UT383 BT sensor via Bluetooth, PPFD Meter provides precise and reliable light measurements. This accuracy is essential for understanding and optimizing the light your plants receive, ensuring their health and growth. PPFD Meter is more than a light measurement tool; it's a guide to understanding your plants' needs. It converts LUX readings into PPFD (Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density) and DLI (Daily Light Integral), providing critical insights for your lighting setup. Customize up to five different settings profiles for various environments or growth stages, making your plant care as unique as your garden. Advanced Light Mapping and Analysis Step into a new era of light management with PPFD Meter's advanced light mapping capabilities. Our exclusive PAR and DLI Maps feature offers a vivid, detailed representation of light distribution across your grow area, enabling precise adjustments for optimal plant growth. But that's just the beginning: In-Depth Light Analysis: Measure light uniformity to ensure even plant growth, and evaluate your setup's PPF (Photosynthetic Photon Flux) to understand the total light output. Efficiency and Consumption Insights: Assess the efficiency of your lighting system in converting energy into usable light. Track the daily total energy consumption to manage your energy usage and environmental impact effectively. Comprehensive DLI Tracking: Monitor the Daily Light Integral, a key factor in regulating plant health and growth cycles, ensuring your plants receive the right amount of light each day. These advanced features make PPFD Meter not just an app, but a vital partner in your indoor gardening journey. It’s a leap forward from typical grow light meter apps, offering a depth of analysis and customization that truly enhances your plant care experience. Download PPFD Meter today and embark on a journey of precision and expertise in plant care. Your plants will thrive like never before! Privacy Policy: https://www.ppfd.app/pp Terms of Service: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Light Meter LM4 screens
PPFD METER4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Light Meter LM at none against PPFD METER's shown. Light Meter LM also leads on ratings volume (2.6K vs 118) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.0). PPFD METER's advantage is review sentiment (53% vs 40%). On price, rating, update cadence and in-app purchases 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 and PPFD METER sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.5 for Light Meter LM against 4.6 for PPFD METER. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Light Meter LM has 2.6K ratings behind it against 118, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 40% of Light Meter LM's written reviews are positive against 53% of PPFD METER's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Light Meter LM ships an update monthly, PPFD METER every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 29, 2026 and September 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Light Meter LM versus PPFD METER: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLight Meter LMPPFD METER
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (2.6K ratings)4.6 (118 ratings) — better
Positive reviews40.2% of reviews52.6% of reviews — better
Number of ratings2.6K — better118
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size22 MB43 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLightray Innovation GmbHCandas Pamukcu

Customer experience

Light Meter LM

All ratings2,554 ratings
Positive88.1%
Neutral3.6%
Negative8.3%
Written reviews204 reviews
Positive40.2%
Neutral5.4%
Negative54.4%

PPFD METER

All ratings118 ratings
Positive89.0%
Neutral4.2%
Negative6.8%
Written reviews19 reviews
Positive52.6%
Neutral10.5%
Negative36.8%

Bugs and 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

PPFD METER

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Light Meter LM

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

PPFD METER

Subscriptions2
  • Premium$1.991 Month
  • Premium Plus$2.991 Month
One-time1
  • Remove Ads$29.99

Questions

Is Light Meter LM free?
Light Meter LM is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is PPFD METER free?
PPFD METER is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Light Meter LM or PPFD METER?
PPFD METER is rated higher. Light Meter LM averages 4.5 out of 5 from 2.6K ratings, while PPFD METER averages 4.6 from 118 ratings.
Do Light Meter LM or PPFD METER have ads?
PPFD METER shows ads; Light Meter LM does not.
Which is updated more often, Light Meter LM or PPFD METER?
Light Meter LM ships an update monthly, and PPFD METER every 3 weeks. Most recently, Light Meter LM was updated on September 29, 2026 and PPFD METER on September 30, 2026.

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