Comparison

Fixture Tester vs StageDocs

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

StageDocs

Calculate bridle and beam properties for rigging applications. Features include interactive geometry adjustment, precise input, and load verification for various truss types. Generate detailed calculation protocols.

Highlights
  • Simple and sloped bridle calculations
  • Interactive bridle geometry adjustment
  • Precise value input for positioning
  • Real-time beam calculation
  • Load verification for trusses
  • Calculation protocol export (PDF)
Features
Read full description

StageDocsยฎ is a small rigger app that helps with the bridle and beam calculation. Following bridles can be calculated: - Simple 2-leg bridles - Sloped 2-leg bridles or brails/breasting lines Bridle features: - Change bridle geometry with you fingers by just moving apex point - Innovative bridle grid based on bridle leg length discretisation - Precise positioning by exact value input - Consideration of basket length, beam geometry and available steel lengths Calculation of straight beams - Realtime calculation of results - multiple supports - multiple point forces - Load verification of trusses (Eurotruss, Expotruss, Global Truss, Prolyte, more will follow..., paid feature) - Basic verification of slinging influence to truss (paid feature) - Calculation protocol (pdf) of truss verification (paid feature) Terms of Services: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Fixture Tester4 screens
StageDocs3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Fixture Tester at 100% against StageDocs's 50%. Fixture Tester also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 2) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 15). StageDocs's advantage is price (Free vs $24.99) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 3 months). On ads 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

StageDocs is free to download; Fixture Tester costs $24.99 up front. StageDocs sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Fixture Tester asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Fixture Tester ships an update every 3 months, StageDocs every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences ยท 2 level
Fixture Tester versus StageDocs: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFixture TesterStageDocs
Price$24.99Free โ€” better
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews โ€” better50.0% of reviews
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 3 weeks โ€” better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo โ€” betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases โ€” better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS11.0 โ€” better15
Further details โ€” not scored
Size8 MB9 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBart van StiphoutJameo UG (haftungsbeschraenkt)

Customer experience

Fixture Tester

Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

StageDocs

Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

In-app purchases

None

Fixture Tester

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

StageDocs

Subscriptions2
  • Rigger monthly$3.991 Month
  • Rigger yearly$29.991 Year

Questions

Is Fixture Tester free?
Fixture Tester costs $24.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is StageDocs free?
StageDocs is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Fixture Tester or StageDocs have ads?
Neither Fixture Tester nor StageDocs shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Fixture Tester or StageDocs?
Fixture Tester ships an update every 3 months, and StageDocs every 3 weeks. Most recently, Fixture Tester was updated on September 21, 2026 and StageDocs on September 20, 2026.

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