Comparison

Light Meter vs Mars Hydro

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

Head to head
About

Light Meter

This app functions as a precise and user-friendly light meter using your phone's built-in sensors. It measures illuminance, color temperature, PPFD/PAR, DLI, and luminous flux in real-time. It also includes a calculator for various illumination parameters and allows sharing or saving of measurements.

Highlights
  • Real-time illuminance measurement
  • Color temperature measurement
  • PPFD/PAR and DLI calculation
  • Built-in illumination calculator
  • Share and save measurements
  • No additional equipment needed
Read full description

Lux-525 Pro – universal, highly-precise, and easy to use light meter. - Requires no additional equipment, everything you need is already in your phone - Calibrated with professional light meter - Smart algorithm provides unsurpassed accuracy in all conditions - Real-time measurements of illuminance, color temperature, PPFD/PAR, DLI and luminous flux - Large collection of light sources necessary for accurate calculation of PPFD/PAR and DLI - Built-in calculator for convenient and precise calculation of various illumination parameters (PPFD, DLI, Lux, Fc, Lumens) - Share your measurements via a text message or email or save them to your phone Lux-525 Pro is the best-in-class digital light meter on the phone. It is intended for personal use and may not fully replace industrial-grade light meters. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://n17dev.web.app/light-meter/policy.html

About

Mars Hydro

Control your smart grow system with this app. Manage LED lights, ventilation, and monitor environmental data like CO2, temperature, and humidity for optimal plant growth. Automate your entire grow kit to mimic natural conditions.

Highlights
  • LED light control with timers and simulation
  • Ventilation system management
  • Complete grow kit automation via iHub
  • Environmental data monitoring (CO2, temp, humidity, PPFD)
  • Sunrise and sunset simulation
Read full description

The Mars Pro app is launched for a new intelligent control system your smart grow system and data monitoring, which includes the marhydro led grow light,inline fan,iHub. Welcome to experience the upgraded version through our website: www.mars-hydro.com Advanced Features: • LED Control: Manage your LED lights with ease, featuring on/off switches, timers, sunrise and sunset simulation, and PPFD (Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density) detection for optimal light management. • Ventilation System Control: Equipments can be controlled with timers, on/off switches, schedules, and cycles to maintain perfect air circulation. • Complete Automation: Use the iHub to program your entire grow kit, setting up automation programs that mimic natural environment grows. • Comprehensive Environmental Data: Monitor and store vital growing environment data, including CO2 levels, temperature, humidity, and PPFD, ensuring you have all the information needed for a successful grow.

Screenshots

Light Meter4 screens
Mars Hydro4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Light Meter at 4.5 against Mars Hydro's 2.6. Light Meter also leads on ratings volume (116 vs 34). Mars Hydro's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 10 months). On price, review sentiment, ads 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Light Meter sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Mars Hydro asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Light Meter holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 2.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 116 and 34 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 33% of Light Meter's written reviews are positive against 27% of Mars Hydro's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Light Meter ships an update every 10 months, Mars Hydro every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Light Meter versus Mars Hydro: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLight MeterMars Hydro
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (116 ratings) — better2.6 (34 ratings)
Positive reviews33.3% of reviews — better26.9% of reviews
Number of ratings116 — better34
Update frequencyEvery 10 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS15.515.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size17 MB52 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAndrey IvankinMARS TRADING RCC, INC.

Customer experience

Light Meter

All ratings116 ratings
Positive87.9%
Neutral2.6%
Negative9.5%
Written reviews9 reviews
Positive33.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative66.7%

Mars Hydro

All ratings33 ratings
Positive36.4%
Neutral9.1%
Negative54.5%
Written reviews26 reviews
Positive26.9%
Neutral7.7%
Negative65.4%

In-app purchases

4 purchases

Light Meter

Subscriptions2
  • Premium Monthly Subscription3 Days trial$3.991 Month
  • Premium Monthly Subscription3 Days trial$4.991 Month
One-time2
  • Premium Lifetime Subscription$19.99
  • Premium Lifetime Subscription$29.99
None

Mars Hydro

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Light Meter free?
Light Meter is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Mars Hydro free?
Mars Hydro is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Light Meter or Mars Hydro?
Light Meter is rated higher. Light Meter averages 4.5 out of 5 from 116 ratings, while Mars Hydro averages 2.6 from 34 ratings.
Do Light Meter or Mars Hydro have ads?
Neither Light Meter nor Mars Hydro shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Light Meter or Mars Hydro?
Light Meter ships an update every 10 months, and Mars Hydro every 2 months. Most recently, Light Meter was updated on November 3, 2026 and Mars Hydro on October 30, 2026.

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