# DMXRef vs StageTools

The clearest difference is price: StageTools at Free against DMXRef's $4.99. StageTools also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 18 months) and ratings volume (3 vs 1). DMXRef's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2). On rating, ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

StageTools is free to download; DMXRef costs $4.99 up front. StageTools sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. DMXRef asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for DMXRef against 5.0 for StageTools. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 3 respectively.

DMXRef ships an update every 18 months, StageTools every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 5, 2026 and October 3, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | DMXRef | StageTools |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $4.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dmxref-dmx-address-helper/id288779094/reviews) | [5.0 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stagetools/id6760953336/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 1 | **3** |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 18 months | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Size | 6 MB | 87 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | 17.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Misquoted Tech LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/287114349) | [X0 Lighting Control Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1886615494) |

## What reviewers say

### DMXRef

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dmxref-dmx-address-helper/id288779094)

This utility app helps lighting professionals and technicians quickly calculate and manage DMX addresses and DIP switch settings. It offers instant conversions, batch address filling, and storage for device configurations, streamlining setup for live events and theatre productions.

**Highlights:** Convert DMX, DIP switch, local/global addresses, Fill multiple fixture addresses across universes, Convert local to global DMX addresses, Store custom DIP switch settings, Dark mode and clean UI, Universe and channel calculation

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### StageTools

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stagetools/id6760953336)

A comprehensive lighting toolkit for professionals, offering network scanning, DMX inspection, fixture testing, and plot creation. Manage fixture data, files, and notes without needing a laptop, with many tools available offline.

**Highlights:** Network device scanning, DMX viewer for sACN/ArtNet, Micro console for fixture testing, Protocol detector, LTC timecode generation/reception, Curve builder, Quick plot creation, Scout notes with multimedia

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| StageTools Monthly | $3.99 | per month |
| StageTools Annual | $39.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is DMXRef free?

DMXRef costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is StageTools free?

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

### Which has better reviews, DMXRef or StageTools?

DMXRef and StageTools are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 1 and 3 ratings respectively.

### Do DMXRef or StageTools have ads?

Neither DMXRef nor StageTools shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, DMXRef or StageTools?

DMXRef ships an update every 18 months, and StageTools every 2 weeks. Most recently, DMXRef was updated on October 5, 2026 and StageTools on October 3, 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.*