Comparison

SimpleStopWatch vs Lux Meter

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

Head to head
About

SimpleStopWatch

Features
Read full description

Simple stopwatch that is intuitive to use

About

Lux Meter

This tool transforms your iPhone into a professional light meter, measuring illuminance in lux and foot-candles in real-time. It offers exposure calculations, color temperature estimates, and various presets for different use cases, all while working offline and without ads.

Highlights
  • Real-time lux and foot-candle readout
  • Exposure Value (EV) calculation
  • Color temperature (CCT) estimate
  • Spot or average metering
  • Use-case presets
  • CSV export of readings
  • 100% offline functionality
Features
Read full description

Lux Meter turns your iPhone into a professional light meter. Using your camera and the ISO 2720 photographic standard, it measures illuminance in lux and foot-candles in real time — accurately, fully offline, with no ads and no sign-up. Whether you're setting up studio lighting, checking your desk for eye comfort, dialing in grow lights for plants, or metering a film scene, Lux Meter gives you the numbers the pros rely on. MEASURE • Real-time lux and foot-candle readout (tap to switch units) • Exposure Value (EV) at your chosen ISO • Color temperature (CCT in Kelvin) estimate from the camera • Live camera preview with a center spot reticle • Spot metering (center) or average metering (whole frame) • Min / max / average statistics with a live chart • Hold to lock a reading • Plain-language light labels (Office lighting, Overcast day, Direct sunlight…) • Low-light path reads down to sub-1 lux EXPOSURE CALCULATOR (2-in-1) • Set any two of aperture / shutter / ISO — it solves the third • Cinema mode: frame-rate and shutter-angle presets, plus the 180° rule • ND filter and exposure compensation • Sunny 16 helper and a depth-of-field estimate TARGETS & PRESETS • Use-case presets: Reading, Office/Ergonomics, Photography, Film/Video, Plants & Greenhouse, Aquarium/Terrarium • Set a target lux band and get a subtle alert when the light is in range • Optional haptic and audio meter tick that speeds up as light increases CALIBRATION YOU CAN TRUST • Independent calibration for front and back cameras • Multi-point calibration fitted across the whole range • See raw and calibrated values side by side • Reset to default anytime SAVE & EXPORT • Save single readings or record a session over time • Min/max/average per session, notes and optional location tag • History list with rename, delete and CSV export (share sheet) BUILT RIGHT • Works 100% offline — no account, no tracking, no network • No ads, nothing locked behind a paywall • Grid and histogram overlays, screen-brightness pin, keep-awake • Clean dark-first design, light mode too • 8 languages with instant in-app switching A note on accuracy: iOS does not give apps access to the ambient light sensor, so Lux Meter uses camera-based reflective metering (ISO 2720). For best results, calibrate once against a reference and use the same lighting conditions. Measure light like a pro. Download Lux Meter.

Screenshots

SimpleStopWatch2 screens
Lux Meter4 screens

Verdict

The call

SimpleStopWatch and Lux Meter are too close to call on the numbers: across 6 compared parameters — price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SimpleStopWatch ships an update every 3 weeks, Lux Meter monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
SimpleStopWatch versus Lux Meter: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSimpleStopWatchLux Meter
PriceFreeFree
Rating—4.3 (4 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—4 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterMonthly
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesNoNo
Monetization—Free with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS16.6 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size5 MB5 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developertakumi nagaseAlper Sumer Guc

In-app purchases

None

SimpleStopWatch

No in-app purchases

None

Lux Meter

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is SimpleStopWatch free?
SimpleStopWatch is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Lux Meter free?
Lux Meter is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do SimpleStopWatch or Lux Meter have ads?
Both SimpleStopWatch and Lux Meter show ads.
Which is updated more often, SimpleStopWatch or Lux Meter?
SimpleStopWatch ships an update every 3 weeks, and Lux Meter monthly. Most recently, SimpleStopWatch was updated on October 13, 2026 and Lux Meter on October 8, 2026.

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