NANLINK vs BackStageClock
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
NANLINK
Control lighting fixtures wirelessly via Bluetooth or 2.4G. Create complex lighting effects for film and video production by managing individual or multiple lights simultaneously. Enhance production efficiency with intuitive scenario and group-based controls.
- Wireless lighting control
- Bluetooth and 2.4G support
- Individual fixture control
- Synchronous multi-fixture control
- Scenario and group management
- Create lighting effects
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NANLINK APP, a wireless lighting control application designed and developed by Guangdong Nanguang Photo&Video Systems Co.,Ltd, allows for controlling light fixtures via Bluetooth Network and 2.4G Wireless Protocol. The APP is compatible with devices that run on IOS and iPadOS operating systems. Based on the design concept of scenario and group, NANLINK can assist gaffers and cinematographers with the creation of fascinating lighting effects through the full control of individual fixture and multiple fixtures synchronously, thus to achieve more production efficiency at the shooting scenes.
BackStageClock
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A clock app built around one idea: open it, and the time stays on. No sleep settings to fiddle with. No timers to configure. The screen just keeps showing the time, from the moment you tap the icon. On the floor. In the booth. Backstage. Next to the camera. In the middle of a long meeting. For the moments when all you need is to see what time it is — clearly, continuously, without anything else getting in the way. ■ Simple Comes First No countdowns. No remotes. No cloud. No accounts. Buy it. Install it. Open it. Done. There is nothing to set up. ■ When You Need More, It's There ・Large timecode-style display (HH:MM:SS) ・5 fonts to choose from, including DSEG7 Classic (7-segment LED style) ・Free color selection (RGB / HSB) ・Tap the time to toggle 24-hour / 12-hour format ・Faint analog clock layered behind, with adjustable opacity ・Major city timezone presets, with automatic Daylight Saving Time ・Optional LAP stopwatch when screen space allows Every option fits on a single landscape settings panel. Adjust while watching the clock change behind it, in real time. ■ Design Principles ・Fully offline Zero network requests. Works without signal, works in studios with strict IT policies. ・No data collection No analytics. No tracking. No ads. No advertising identifier (IDFA). ・One-time purchase Buy once. No in-app purchases. No subscriptions, ever. ■ Requirements iPhone running iOS 17.0 or later. iPad running iPadOS 17.0 or later. Landscape orientation only. ■ Font License DSEG7 Classic is bundled under the SIL Open Font License 1.1, with proper attribution to keshikan. See the Font License screen in Settings for full details.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: NANLINK at Free against BackStageClock's $2.99. NANLINK also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.0). On ads, in-app purchases 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
NANLINK is free to download; BackStageClock costs $2.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
| Parameter | NANLINK | BackStageClock |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $2.99 |
| Rating | 2.0 (93 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 19.4% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 93 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | — |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 82 MB | 2 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Guangdong Nanguang Photo&Video Systems Co., Ltd | KIZAI |
Bugs and requests
NANLINK
Reported bugs
59 issues- Lights spontaneously lose connection
- Short delay between tapping light and settings appearing
- Presets buried several levels deep
- Lights spontaneously lose connection
- Short delay between tapping into a light and the settings coming up
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- Fixture groups not working after upgrading to Nanlink 2.0
- Lose signal if further than 8ft from unit
- App lagging and poorly working
- Constantly drops connection
- App constantly crashes
- Recent update erased presets
- Grouping issues after update
- Cannot add fixtures to groups
- App won't work without supplying personal info
- Layout doesn't adapt well to iPad, wasted space
- Login difficult, fields won't allow pasting from password manager
- No import of existing scenes on iPad
- App not working with Pavotubes
- Bluetooth not working for T8-7x
- Inconsistent operation, will not pair with lights
- Exiting and reopening app locks up trying to re-pair
- App asks for excessive permissions (photos, emails, texts)
- New update killed presets and dropped connection to all fixtures
- App doesn't work with new iPhones (dynamic island)
- Cannot go back from one tube's settings to the previous screen
- Settings don't seem to save
- CCT mode doesn't work at all
- Driving mode ambient dimming won't work
- Poor Bluetooth connection, short range
- Menu button placement issues (near phone's clock)
- Never saves profiles or auto-connects to fixtures
- App broken with iOS 16.2
- Most of the effects not working
- App can't find FS-150
- Cannot complete registration (activation code never emailed)
- App is abysmal, not user friendly
- Cannot connect to Forza 300b
- Settings changes on iPhone don't affect light
- Lose connection as soon as 2 lights are connected
- App is a complete waste of time, does nothing
- Never responsive, struggles to keep up with changing settings
- Server down, cannot create account or log in
- App crashes on login
- App crashes upon login attempt
- App crashes every time on sign in
- Overrides light values when connecting
- Impossible to fine-tune a light on a set unless connected beforehand
- Won't connect
- Fail connection in groups
- Slow app
- Doesn't see most fixtures
- Cannot get verification code to create an account
- App freezes repeatedly after entering name, password, and verification code
- Cannot login, stuck or frozen at login page
- App freezes repeatedly after entering name password and verification code
- App crashes on login with iPhone 13 pro
- App crashes at login
- App crashes upon login attempt
- App crashes every time on sign in
Requested features
13 requests- Allow individual light adjustment within groups
- Make connection more stable
- Make settings appear instantly
- UX overhaul, make important settings accessible
- Put preset saving feature front and center
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- Adaptive interface for iPads
- Master control to adjust all lights simultaneously
- Add a 'Streetlight' mode effect
- Allow users to choose between HSI & CCT control for transmitter box
- Add a demo mode
- Offline mode for app usage
- Gang effects across groups of lights for consistency
- Allow multicolor effects at assignable points
BackStageClock
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
NANLINK
No in-app purchases
BackStageClock
No in-app purchases
