Comparison

Screen Prep vs m

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

Head to head
About

Screen Prep

Features
Read full description

Screen Prep is a simple utility for changing the color of and iPhone or iPad screen for use in VFX. • Select from a collection of preset colors or pick your own • Add tracking marks and edit their position and size • Alternatively display colorbars, grid, or checkerboard • Lock the screen to prevent accidental touches from the actors • Save setups for later recall • Export to Photos for display on other devices via AirPlay or other viewing method

About

m

Transform your device into a professional sACN lighting fixture for stage, film, and art installations. Control screen brightness, intensity, and vibration using standard lighting protocols.

Highlights
  • sACN control for Universe and DMX Address
  • Real-time backlight brightness adjustment
  • IRGB 8-Bit fixture compatibility
  • 6 Channel Mode with flashlight intensity
  • Device vibration control
  • Intuitive interface
Features
Read full description

Turn any screen into a stage light. m-BER makes your iPhone, iPad or Apple TV a lighting fixture you can patch straight into your console. Send it sACN, and the screen answers with colour and intensity in real time, just like every other fixture in your rig. No dongles. No gateway. Just join the show network and go. PATCH IT LIKE A FIXTURE • Patch as a Generic IRGB 8-bit fixture on any universe • Set the start address, and m-BER tells you exactly which channels it uses • Intensity, red, green and blue on four channels per region SPLIT THE SCREEN Run the whole display as one light, or divide it into independently addressed cells: • Single: one full-screen fixture • Half: two cells, side by side or stacked • Quad: four cells as a grid, in rows or in columns Every cell gets its own four channels, so one device can be four fixtures. MORE THAN A SCREEN On iPhone, two extra channels put the flashlight and the vibration motor on the desk. Flash, pulse and buzz on cue, straight from your console. BUILT FOR THE SHOW • Orientation locks the moment the fixture goes live, so a bumped phone never flips the look • Clean, full-bleed output with nothing on screen but light • Works across iPhone, iPad and Apple TV. Buy once, use it on all of them PERFECT FOR • Props that need to glow on cue • Phones and tablets written into the action • TVs and monitors used as set dressing • Quick practicals when you're one fixture short WHAT YOU NEED • A lighting console or software that outputs sACN (ANSI E1.31) • Your device and console on the same network TRY IT FREE The annual plan starts with a 3-day free trial. Prefer to own it outright? A one-time purchase unlocks m-BER for good. Powered by Liberate Lighting. SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION • m-BER Annual: 1-year subscription, with a 3-day free trial for new subscribers • Payment is charged to your Apple Account at the end of the free trial, or at confirmation of purchase if no trial applies • The subscription renews automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period • Manage or cancel any time in your Apple Account settings • Any unused portion of a free trial is forfeited when you purchase a subscription Privacy Policy: https://liberatelighting.com/privacy-policy/ Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Screen Prep4 screens
m4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: m at Free against Screen Prep's $9.99. m also leads on update cadence (every 2 months vs every 5 months). Screen Prep's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2). On ads, device support and iOS requirement 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

m is free to download; Screen Prep costs $9.99 up front. m sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per year. Screen Prep asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Screen Prep ships an update every 5 months, m every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and October 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 6 level
Screen Prep versus m: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterScreen Prepm
Price$9.99Free — better
Rating—5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Number of ratings—1 — better
Update frequencyEvery 5 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
Monetization—Subscription
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, Apple TV — better
Requires iOS16.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size2 MB6 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSquirrel FX LLCLawrence Anthony Ware

In-app purchases

None

Screen Prep

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

m

Subscriptions1
  • 365 Days Access to m-BER app3 Days trial$4.991 Year
One-time1
  • Access m-BER app Lifetime$9.99

Questions

Is Screen Prep free?
Screen Prep costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is m free?
m is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Screen Prep or m have ads?
Neither Screen Prep nor m shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Screen Prep or m?
Screen Prep ships an update every 5 months, and m every 2 months. Most recently, Screen Prep was updated on October 1, 2026 and m on October 4, 2026.

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