Comparison

iPhasematch vs Thorlabs Toolkit

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

iPhasematch

Calculate nonlinear optical effects like second-harmonic generation and spontaneous parametric down-conversion. This app provides phasematching orientations, nonlinear coefficients, and tolerance values for various crystals based on Sellmeier equations.

Highlights
  • Phasematching condition calculation
  • Sellmeier equation integration
  • Effective nonlinear optical coefficients
  • Walk-off and angular tolerance
  • Temperature tolerance
  • Supported crystal list
Features
Read full description

iPhasematch allows you to calculate the phasematching condition of nonlinear wavelength conversion such as SHG or SFM based on published Sellmeier equiations. Downconversion (OPO) can be figured out by the reverse of SFM. It is a subset of the 'Qmix' function of a famous Windows software SNLO by Dr. Arlee Smith. This App does some of what SNLO does on your iOS device. It takes the crystal, two input wavelengths, and temperature and gives the phasematching orientations, effective nonlinear optical coefficients, walk-off angles, angular tolerance and temperature tolerance. In case of SHG, it also gives spectral tolerance. In biaxial crystals, it gives only the phasematching orientations in the principal planes, i.e., either theta=90 deg. or phi=0 or 90deg. Currently supported crystals: BBO, BiBO, CBO, CLBO, LB4, LBO, KBBF, KDP, KD*P, KN, KTP, Mg:LN, Mg:sLN, RBBF, RTP, YAB. NOTE: dn/dT data for LB4 was picked up from discrete data points in the reference and linearly extrapolated. Interface should be intuitive, giving phasematching with a tap of "PM" button,refractive index with "index" button and group index with "Gp.Idx" button, for the given condition (crystal, wavelengths, and temperature). DISCLAIMER: I cannot be held responsible for the result of the calculation it gives. I make every effort to make it accurate, and bug-free, but there could be errors in code. Please just use this on your own discretion.

About

Thorlabs Toolkit

Features
Read full description

Get convenient access to photonics calculators, equations, and other information and resources when you download this free app! This application is being continually updated to offer new types of resources, as well as to expand existing categories, so be sure to check for updates. The current version of the app includes a collection of calculators that engineers and technicians at Thorlabs Lens Systems and elsewhere have used on the floor for over 15 years. Each calculator page includes the equations used in the calculations, as well as usage notes and information about assumptions included in the equations. Additional resources include brief summaries of ray tracing, lens theory, Snell’s Law, manufacturing tolerances, and evaluation of system resolution using the modulation transfer function (MTF). History Thorlabs Toolkit builds on the excellent foundation provided by the JML Optical Calculator. When JML Optical joined Thorlabs’ family as Thorlabs Lens Systems, it provided a wonderful opportunity to expand the app to share knowledge collected from across all of Thorlabs.

Screenshots

iPhasematch4 screens
Thorlabs Toolkit4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: Thorlabs Toolkit at 13.0 against iPhasematch's 15.6. On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

iPhasematch ships an update every 7 months, Thorlabs Toolkit every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 8 level
iPhasematch versus Thorlabs Toolkit: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameteriPhasematchThorlabs Toolkit
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings2 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 7 monthsEvery 4 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS15.613.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size6 MB30 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperYushi KanedaThorlabs, Inc.

In-app purchases

None

iPhasematch

No in-app purchases

None

Thorlabs Toolkit

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is iPhasematch free?
iPhasematch is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Thorlabs Toolkit free?
Thorlabs Toolkit is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do iPhasematch or Thorlabs Toolkit have ads?
Neither iPhasematch nor Thorlabs Toolkit shows ads.
Which is updated more often, iPhasematch or Thorlabs Toolkit?
iPhasematch ships an update every 7 months, and Thorlabs Toolkit every 4 months. Most recently, iPhasematch was updated on October 7, 2026 and Thorlabs Toolkit on October 10, 2026.

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