# Luminancer vs rhodopsin

The clearest difference is rating: rhodopsin at 5.0 against Luminancer's 3.9. rhodopsin also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 64%). Luminancer's advantage is price ($2.99 vs $9.99) and update cadence (every 6 days vs every 2 months). On ratings volume, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Luminancer costs $2.99 and rhodopsin $9.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

rhodopsin holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 16 and 25 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 64% of Luminancer's written reviews are positive against 100% of rhodopsin's.

Luminancer ships an update every 6 days, rhodopsin every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 29, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Luminancer | rhodopsin |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$2.99** | $9.99 |
| Rating | [3.9 (16 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/luminancer/id414607139/reviews) | **[5.0 (25 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rhodopsin/id6471383189/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 16 | **25** |
| Positive reviews | 63.9% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 6 days** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Best chart rank | **#187** | — |
| Size | 28 MB | 292 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Tron Quixote](https://appshunter.io/developer/414607142) | [Christopher Barth](https://appshunter.io/developer/1715210913) |

## 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


### rhodopsin

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rhodopsin/id6471383189)

This app is a video synthesizer designed for live performances. It allows users to mix video sources and apply a series of three effects. Parameters for sources, mixers, and effects can be manipulated using LFOs, envelopes, and MIDI.

**Highlights:** Video source mixing, Three sequential effects, LFO and envelope control, MIDI parameter control, Live performance focused

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Luminancer free?

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

### Is rhodopsin free?

rhodopsin costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.

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

rhodopsin is rated higher. Luminancer averages 3.9 out of 5 from 16 ratings, while rhodopsin averages 5.0 from 25 ratings.

### Do Luminancer or rhodopsin have ads?

Neither Luminancer nor rhodopsin shows ads.

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

Luminancer ships an update every 6 days, and rhodopsin every 2 months. Most recently, Luminancer was updated on September 29, 2026 and rhodopsin on September 21, 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.*