# Luminancer vs DU

The clearest difference is price: DU at Free against Luminancer's $2.99. DU also leads on rating (4.5 vs 3.9). Luminancer's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and update cadence (every 6 days vs every 4 months). On review sentiment, ratings volume, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

DU is free to download; Luminancer costs $2.99 up front. DU sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Luminancer asks for nothing beyond the download.

DU holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 16 and 32 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 64% of Luminancer's written reviews are positive against 71% of DU's.

Luminancer ships an update every 6 days, DU every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on September 29, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Luminancer | DU |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $2.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [3.9 (16 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/luminancer/id414607139/reviews) | **[4.5 (32 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/du-vfx/id1563142095/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 16 | **32** |
| Positive reviews | 63.9% of reviews | **70.6% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 6 days** | Every 4 months |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Best chart rank | **#187** | — |
| Size | 28 MB | 17 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 15.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Tron Quixote](https://appshunter.io/developer/414607142) | [Kris Collins](https://appshunter.io/developer/288419971) |

## What reviewers say

### Luminancer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/luminancer/id414607139)

**Currently charting:** #187 Top Paid · Photo & Video (US App Store)

Create abstract video art with this powerful app inspired by analog synthesizers. Ideal for live performances, music videos, or artistic expression. It uses a luminance threshold filter and a unique video processing pipeline to generate stunning visual effects.

**Highlights:** Analog synth-inspired video effects, Live performance ready, Luminance threshold filter, Abstract video processing pipeline, Enhance VJ rigs, Create music videos

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 💡 Unique and innovative effects
- 🎨 Great colors and visual feedback
- ✨ Creates trippy and psychedelic visuals
- 👍 Easy to use interface
- 💖 Loved by long-time users

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes
- 💾 Videos not saving
- 🎦 Videos zoomed in or cropped
- 😵 Confusing settings
- 💸 Not worth the money for some

**Reported bugs**

- Camera won't work
- Video import crops/squeezes image
- App zooms in on videos
- Switches back to square video size
- Paid features don't work

**Requested features**

- Add scales to Decay and Threshold controls
- Add more modules/effects
- Allow importing videos from library
- Add a dark mode option
- Add advanced analytics dashboard


### DU

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/du-vfx/id1563142095)

Transform videos into extreme digital art with 37 unique filters. This experimental app allows you to digitally mangle and twist footage, creating unique visual effects. Save any frame as a still image or export the entire glitched-out video.

**Highlights:** 37 exclusive video filters, Apply filters in infinite combinations, Arrange video effects stack manually, Blend glitched video with original, Randomize filters for unique chaos, Save affected video frames as stills

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Still Image Export | $0.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Luminancer free?

Luminancer costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is DU free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Luminancer or DU?

DU is rated higher. Luminancer averages 3.9 out of 5 from 16 ratings, while DU averages 4.5 from 32 ratings.

### Do Luminancer or DU have ads?

Neither Luminancer nor DU shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Luminancer or DU?

Luminancer ships an update every 6 days, and DU every 4 months. Most recently, Luminancer was updated on September 29, 2026 and DU on September 23, 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.*