Comparison

Fixture Tester vs ControllerApp

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

ControllerApp

Read full description

Controller-App Remote control for professional lighting consoles via Telnet and OSC. Works with GrandMA2/3. โ€ข Console Control - Connect via Telnet/OSC to execute commands, adjust faders, buttons and control cues โ€ข Virtual Encoders - Remote parameter control and fixture positioning โ€ข Programmer Keypad - Direct command-line interface to your console โ€ข Beam Calculator - Coverage area, throw distance, and lens angle calculations โ€ข DMX Calculator - Address to DIP switch conversion โ€ข RGB/CMY Color Mixer - Color mixing with HEX conversion โ€ข Preset Manager - Save custom button configurations Controller-App is an independent third-party application. Not affiliated with or endorsed by MA Lighting. All related marks are registered trademarks of MA Lighting Technology GmbH.

Screenshots

Fixture Tester4 screens
ControllerApp4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: ControllerApp at Free against Fixture Tester's $24.99. ControllerApp also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 3 months). Fixture Tester's advantage is iOS requirement (11.0 vs 18.0). On 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

ControllerApp 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, ControllerApp fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences ยท 5 level
Fixture Tester versus ControllerApp: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFixture TesterControllerApp
Price$24.99Free โ€” better
Positive reviews100.0% of reviewsโ€”
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsFortnightly โ€” better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidโ€”
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod โ€” betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS11.0 โ€” better18.0
Further details โ€” not scored
Size8 MB45 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBart van StiphoutNaor Bonomo

In-app purchases

None

Fixture Tester

No in-app purchases

None

ControllerApp

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Fixture Tester free?
Fixture Tester costs $24.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is ControllerApp free?
ControllerApp is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Fixture Tester or ControllerApp have ads?
Neither Fixture Tester nor ControllerApp shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Fixture Tester or ControllerApp?
Fixture Tester ships an update every 3 months, and ControllerApp fortnightly. Most recently, Fixture Tester was updated on September 21, 2026 and ControllerApp on September 4, 2026.

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