Comparison

Fixture Tester vs appCUE

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

Head to head
About

Fixture Tester

Test network fixtures using Art-Net or sACN protocols. Import patchlists, run macros, and perform address and parameter tests to verify fixture functionality and addressing. Supports RDM control for ELC lighting nodes.

Highlights
  • Art-Net/sACN fixture testing
  • Import patchlists (dmXLAN)
  • Run fixture macros
  • Address testing
  • Parameter testing
  • RDM control
Features
Read full description

Fixture Tester is an application to test all the fixtures in the network using Art-Net or sACN. Fixtures can be added manually or an already existing patchlist from ELC Lighting's dmXLAN can be imported. When there are fixtures selected, the associated macros like 'Lamp on' can be run on the selected fixtures. To test whether or not the fixtures have the correct address, there is the address test. This test homes the selected fixtures one by one automatically at an adjustable speed. To test the various functions of the selected fixtures there is the parameter test. This test first homes all the selected fixtures. Then it runs all parameters from 0 to 255 and back, one by one. Custom libraries and patchlists can be downloaded in Fixture Tester with iTunes, ELC lighting's dmXLAN v4 or FileUploader, which is a free download at www.bartvanstiphout.com. Patchlists can also be shared using Airdrop, mail or other applications. Using an ethernet node, the universes can be converted to a Dmx signal. Since version 1.7 it is also possible to program the dmXLAN Nodes from ELC lighting. Full RDM control of all fixtures which are connected to a Node from ELC lighting!

About

appCUE

Features
Read full description

This software enables to use iPhone or iPad as a Cue System control panel and controller. It is a suitable addition to CUE control panels and controllers or it can be used as a standalone application. The GUI and control application has to be designed using standard programming tool โ€“ Cue Visual Composer. The wireless communication between the control panel device, control system and controlled devices is based on Wi-Fi standard. Application designed with Cue Visual Composer Ethernet wireless communication between the panel, control system and controlled devices Communication with Cue System units using CUEnet protocol Full set of XPL2 IP commands available for direct device control

Screenshots

Fixture Tester4 screens
appCUE2 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: appCUE at Free against Fixture Tester's $24.99. Fixture Tester's advantage is iOS requirement (11.0 vs 15.6). On update cadence, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price ยท Rating ยท Positive reviews ยท Number of ratings ยท Update frequency ยท Ads ยท In-app purchases ยท Monetization ยท Best chart rank ยท Devices ยท Requires iOS

CostPrice ยท In-app purchases ยท Ads ยท Monetization

appCUE is free to download; Fixture Tester costs $24.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences ยท 6 level
Fixture Tester versus appCUE: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFixture TesterappCUE
Price$24.99Free โ€” better
Positive reviews100.0% of reviewsโ€”
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidโ€”
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS11.0 โ€” better15.6
Further details โ€” not scored
Size8 MB12 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBart van StiphoutCUE a.s.

In-app purchases

None

Fixture Tester

No in-app purchases

None

appCUE

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Fixture Tester free?
Fixture Tester costs $24.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is appCUE free?
appCUE is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Fixture Tester or appCUE have ads?
Neither Fixture Tester nor appCUE shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Fixture Tester or appCUE?
Fixture Tester ships an update every 3 months, and appCUE every 3 months. Most recently, Fixture Tester was updated on September 21, 2026 and appCUE on October 10, 2026.

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