Comparison

Fixture Tester vs Production Assist

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

Production Assist

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The new application Production Assistยฎ is a cross-platform online paperwork tool for the event and theater industry. Paperwork is all the documents needed to set up and run an event. By connecting online, we solve the problem that all printed paperwork very quickly contains outdated information. With Online Paperwork you can be sure that you always have the latest version of the document available. Beside this Production Assist is very affordable. With our subscription based licence model, you get yourself started with online paperwork und structural calculation for 30 supports starting at 20โ‚ฌ/month. Functionality - Plan and draw in 3D and 2D in Production Assis - All paperwork online directly in the cloud Electrical planning - Calculation of power requirements and phase utilization - Creation of patch plans Real-time structural analysis - Hanging Structures - Ground Supports - Suspended structures Paperwork - Property Lists - Inventory Lists - Structure Lists - Electrical consumers lists - Connection Lists - Color foil lists - Export of lists to PDF and CSV Export of labels for objects - Export of labels with QR codes for scanning with a mobile phone MVR / GDTF Support - Full support of GDTF and MVR for data exchange.

Screenshots

Fixture Tester4 screens
Production Assist4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Production Assist at Free against Fixture Tester's $24.99. Fixture Tester's advantage is iOS requirement (11.0 vs 13.2). 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

Production Assist 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

Fixture Tester ships an update every 3 months, Production Assist every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and October 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences ยท 6 level
Fixture Tester versus Production Assist: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFixture TesterProduction Assist
Price$24.99Free โ€” better
Positive reviews100.0% of reviewsโ€”
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 2 months โ€” better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidโ€”
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS11.0 โ€” better13.2
Further details โ€” not scored
Size8 MB273 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBart van StiphoutDeerSoft GmbH

In-app purchases

None

Fixture Tester

No in-app purchases

None

Production Assist

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Fixture Tester free?
Fixture Tester costs $24.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Production Assist free?
Production Assist is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Fixture Tester or Production Assist have ads?
Neither Fixture Tester nor Production Assist shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Fixture Tester or Production Assist?
Fixture Tester ships an update every 3 months, and Production Assist every 2 months. Most recently, Fixture Tester was updated on October 8, 2026 and Production Assist on October 3, 2026.

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