DipSwitch vs DMXcat®
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
DipSwitch
This app helps lighting technicians quickly configure fixture settings using a digital interface. It calculates dip switch configurations, allows for easy addressing and offsetting, and helps determine fixture capacity within a universe. Streamline your patching process with this intuitive tool.
- Calculate dip switch configurations
- Enter address and see dip switch settings
- Apply offset values for quick addressing
- Determine fixture capacity per universe
- Generate addresses for sequential fixtures
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Set a DMX address on a dip-switch block without doing binary in your head, in the dark, up a ladder. Type the address, read the switches. DipSwitch draws the block the way it looks on the back of the fixture, so you can hold your phone next to the real thing and compare it switch for switch. It has been doing this job since 2008. ON THE FIXTURE • Enter an address and see the switch pattern immediately • The block is drawn to match real hardware, with the ON marking and channel weights • Set the number of switches to match your fixture, from 1 to 16 • Swap and mirror for blocks that are printed the other way round PLANNING A RIG • Set the offset to your fixture's channel footprint and step the whole rig one button at a time • See how many fixtures fit a 512-channel universe, and the last address you can use • Save fixtures you use often as profiles, so the channel count is one tap away • Know two addresses and need the rest? Enter both and the spacing does the work • Tick off fixtures as you patch them, and share the finished list as a PDF ON APPLE WATCH • The whole calculator on your wrist, for when one hand is holding the fixture • Turn the Digital Crown to step the address by your offset • A complication puts the current address on your watch face • Address, offset and fixture profiles stay in sync with your iPhone English, German and French. Free, no in-app purchases. Built in Luxembourg by a lighting technician who got tired of counting bits.
DMXcat®
Control, analyze, and test DMX lighting fixtures wirelessly from your smartphone. This system uses a hardware dongle and free mobile apps to simplify lighting control without complex consoles. It supports various functions like DMX and RDM control, fixture management, and DIP switch calculations.
- Wireless DMX and RDM control
- Fixture control with built-in database
- DMX analysis and testing
- DIP switch calculator
- Multi-language support
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DMXcat® makes it easy for anyone to control, analyze, or test any DMX lighting fixture, whether it’s a simple LED PAR or a complex moving light. The system consists of a small hardware dongle (purchased separately) and a suite of free mobile applications. Together, they combine to bring wireless DMX and RDM control plus other useful lighting functions to the user’s smartphone. The DMXcat solves the problem faced by all users of modern lighting equipment: How to turn on and test DMX lighting gear without using a complicated lighting console. DMXcat app is now available in seven languages: Spanish, French, German, Italian, Korean, Japanese, and English. Software Applications There are currently five apps available for use with the DMXcat system: •DMX Controller: A single universe (512) DMX channel controller with two user interfaces (sliders or keypad). •Fixture Controller: Controls multi-attribute fixtures from a built in database. •RDM Controller: For bi-directional communication and control of RDM enabled devices. •DMX Tester: Analyze and adjust settings for transmitting or receiving DMX. •DIP switch calculator: Simplifies the configuring of DIP switches used for setting DMX addresses. Hardware The DMXcat’s hardware interface is a compact battery powered device which fits easily in a pocket or tool pouch or may be worn on a belt. It uses Bluetooth LE technology for communication with the smartphone applications (up to 50’ range). Without the limitations of being physically connected, the user can move about the workspace as needed with their smartphone and run the various apps while still using the phone for on-the-job communication. The device’s five pin XLRF connector/cable assembly allows it to be connected to a point in a DMX data chain to test or control of the various DMX/RDM functions. It is charged using a standard USB to Micro-USB cable and charger. Other features include a built-in LED flashlight, an audible alarm for locating a misplaced unit, XLR5M to XLR5M Turnaround, LED status indicator, and a removable belt clip with a split ring safety point. Optional accessories include XLR5M to RJ45 Adapter, XLR5M to XLR3F Adapter, XLR5M to XLR3M Turnaround, and a Belt Pouch.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: DipSwitch at 5.0 against DMXcat®'s 3.9. DipSwitch also leads on review sentiment (86% vs 68%). DMXcat®'s advantage is update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 13 months) and ratings volume (26 vs 2). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
DipSwitch holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: DMXcat® has 26 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 86% of DipSwitch's written reviews are positive against 68% of DMXcat®'s.
DipSwitch ships an update every 13 months, DMXcat® every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 27, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | DipSwitch | DMXcat® |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (2 ratings) — better | 3.9 (26 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 86.0% of reviews — better | 68.4% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 2 | 26 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 13 months | Every 5 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 17.5 | 13.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 3 MB | 43 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Bazinga sarl | City Theatrical, Inc |
Customer experience
DipSwitch
DMXcat®
Bugs and requests
DipSwitch
Reported bugs
4 issues- Crashes after iOS 10 update
- Does not calculate dip switches after iOS 10 update
- Does not work under OS 3
- Does not work for some users
Requested features
6 requests- Apple Watch app
- Manual or tutorial
- Option to have OFF as 1 and ON as 0 for specific devices
- User definable options (e.g., number of dip switches, all off=001)
- Notepad feature to track set switches
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- Dark mode option
DMXcat®
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
DipSwitch
No in-app purchases
DMXcat®
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is DipSwitch free?
Is DMXcat® free?
Which has better reviews, DipSwitch or DMXcat®?
Do DipSwitch or DMXcat® have ads?
Which is updated more often, DipSwitch or DMXcat®?
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