ChromaCalc vs starCTRL
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
ChromaCalc
This tool helps cinematographers match and find equivalent colors for LED lighting fixtures. It uses spectral data from real instruments to achieve desired color intentions with various lighting and camera settings.
- Match LED lighting fixtures
- Find equivalent light colors
- Use spectral data
- Configure lighting instruments
- Adjust camera settings
- Achieve color intent
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With the advent of LED lighting fixtures for cinematography, it can be a challenge to match different lighting instruments to each other or to an intended color reference or to find equivalent light colors under different white points. This calculator uses spectral data measured from real world lighting instruments to help you find the best combination of settings to use on a variety of popular lighting instruments and cameras to achieve your intent. This app is licensed under the standard Apple license agreement which can be found here: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
starCTRL
Design custom lighting setups with this app. Connect and control compatible fixtures, adjusting color, intensity, and effects. Save presets and group lights for complex designs.
- Auto-discovery of compatible fixtures
- Control lamp color and intensity
- Adjust color temperature and green offset
- Access built-in lighting effects
- Group lights for larger designs
- Save favorite colors and effects
- Set smooth transitions with fade times
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Designed for Litepanels Astra IP and Quasar Science Rainbow 2 and Double Rainbow, starCTRL is a simple-to-use app that allows users to connect wirelessly, create custom lighting designs and quickly adjust standard parameters. Unlock fast and creative lighting designs with the starCTRL app. 1. Connect instantly The starCTRL app is compatible with the following fixtures: - Quasar Science Rainbow 2 and Double Rainbow - Litepanels Astra IP series Supported fixtures are automatically discovered by starCTRL for fast easy setup. Simply set your lights to starCTRL mode in the fixture menu and open the starCTRL app — it’s that simple! 2. Control simply Take full control of your lights from your fingertips. Quasar Science control parameters: Intensity, CCT (1750-10000K), ±Green, Hue, Saturation, Output Mode, and FX Litepanels Astra IP control parameters: DIM and CCT (2700-6500K) Quickly adjust color and temperature using common presets. Access the full range of Rainbow series lighting effects, with the ability to fine-tune individual effect parameters. 3. Customize Group lights for more complex designs. Apply settings to an entire group or fine-tune individual fixtures. Save your own Colors and FX settings to Favorites for quick recall onto any selected fixture or group. Enable smooth transitions by setting a fade time of up to 5 seconds. Firmware Requirements Rainbow 2 & Double Rainbow - Recommended*: QS 0.9B with TimoTwo v1.1.1.5 - Minimum compatible: QS 0.8B with TimoTwo v1.0.7.2 *iOS26 users must update to recommended versions or later Litepanels Astra IP - Firmware v1.5.0 with VLPM v1.0.2m (or later)
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: ChromaCalc at 4.7 against starCTRL's 2.9. ChromaCalc also leads on iOS requirement (12.0 vs 14.0). starCTRL's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads 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
Both are free to download. ChromaCalc sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. starCTRL asks for nothing beyond the download.
ChromaCalc holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 2.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 14 and 7 respectively.
ChromaCalc ships an update every 8 months, starCTRL every 6 months. The most recent releases landed on September 10, 2026 and June 1, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | ChromaCalc | starCTRL |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (14 ratings) — better | 2.9 (7 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | — | 25.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 14 — better | 7 |
| Update frequency | Every 8 months | Every 6 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 14.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 4 MB | 3 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Chromatic Applications LLC | Videndum Production Solutions, Inc. |
Customer experience
ChromaCalc
starCTRL
In-app purchases
ChromaCalc
- Monthly Subscription$9.991 Month
- Yearly Subscription$99.991 Year
starCTRL
No in-app purchases
