# VIVOSUN vs PPFD METER

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: VIVOSUN at none against PPFD METER's 3. VIVOSUN also leads on ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (8.3K vs 118). On price, rating, update cadence and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. PPFD METER sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. VIVOSUN asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for VIVOSUN against 4.6 for PPFD METER. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: VIVOSUN has 8.3K ratings behind it against 118, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 63% of VIVOSUN's written reviews are positive against 53% of PPFD METER's.

VIVOSUN ships an update every 11 days, PPFD METER every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | VIVOSUN | PPFD METER |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (8.3K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vivosun/id1600813756/reviews)** | [4.6 (118 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ppfd-meter-grow-light-meter/id6479329051/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **8.3K** | 118 |
| Positive reviews | **63.1% of reviews** | 52.6% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 11 days** | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 264 MB | 43 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.6** | 18.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [VIVOSUN INC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1600813758) | [Candas Pamukcu](https://appshunter.io/developer/1735587895) |

## What reviewers say

### VIVOSUN

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vivosun/id1600813756)

Automate and simplify plant care with this app. Monitor environmental conditions, manually control grow equipment, and track plant progress. It helps optimize growth and manage schedules for a better growing experience.

**Highlights:** Real-time environmental monitoring, Manual control of grow devices, Automated grow recipes, Climate tracking and insights, Growth logging and reminders, Secure plant diary with photos

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Wallet, SharePlay

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Seamless connectivity
- 👍 Intuitive app interface
- 🔍 Comprehensive environment monitoring
- 💡 Helpful journal/logging feature
- 🛒 Convenient in-app purchasing

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Connectivity issues and disconnects
- 🔧 Confusing configuration and automation settings
- 🕰️ Inconsistent sync between app and hardware
- 🔍 Lack of advanced customization options
- 🔌 Compatibility issues with newer devices

**Reported bugs**

- Firmware update failures
- Inconsistent data display and syncing
- Recipes not saving correctly
- In-app purchasing problems

**Requested features**

- Add VPD control and automation
- Improve recipe/schedule management
- Implement a dashboard widget for quick monitoring
- Allow moving plants between gardens
- Enhance dark mode and UI customization


### PPFD METER

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ppfd-meter-grow-light-meter/id6479329051)

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

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium | $1.99 | per month |
| Premium Plus | $2.99 | per month |
| Remove Ads | $29.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is VIVOSUN free?

VIVOSUN is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is PPFD METER free?

PPFD METER is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, VIVOSUN or PPFD METER?

VIVOSUN is rated higher. VIVOSUN averages 4.7 out of 5 from 8.3K ratings, while PPFD METER averages 4.6 from 118 ratings.

### Do VIVOSUN or PPFD METER have ads?

PPFD METER shows ads; VIVOSUN does not.

### Which is updated more often, VIVOSUN or PPFD METER?

VIVOSUN ships an update every 11 days, and PPFD METER every 3 weeks. Most recently, VIVOSUN was updated on September 24, 2026 and PPFD METER on September 22, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*