# LightBlue® vs Bluetooth for Arduino

The clearest difference is rating: LightBlue® at 4.4 against Bluetooth for Arduino's 3.4. LightBlue® also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 5) and review sentiment (66% vs 46%). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Bluetooth for Arduino sells 5 one-off in-app purchases. LightBlue® asks for nothing beyond the download.

LightBlue® holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 3.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: LightBlue® has 942 ratings behind it against 42, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 66% of LightBlue®'s written reviews are positive against 46% of Bluetooth for Arduino's.

LightBlue® ships an update every 3 weeks, Bluetooth for Arduino every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | LightBlue® | Bluetooth for Arduino |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.4 (942 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lightblue/id557428110/reviews)** | [3.4 (42 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bluetooth-for-arduino/id1505096526/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **942** | 42 |
| Positive reviews | **66.2% of reviews** | 45.7% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | **Ad-supported** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 22 MB | 5 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.4** | 18.5 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Mac** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Punch Through](https://appshunter.io/developer/557428113) | [Giuseppe Migliore](https://appshunter.io/developer/1505096105) |

## What reviewers say

### LightBlue®

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lightblue/id557428110)

This app allows users to interact with Bluetooth Low Energy devices. It supports scanning for, connecting to, and analyzing BLE peripherals, as well as simulating your own BLE devices. It's a comprehensive tool for developers and enthusiasts working with BLE technology.

**Highlights:** Scan and discover BLE peripherals, Connect and view device profiles, Read and write characteristics, Subscribe to notifications, Create and advertise virtual BLE devices, Clone peripheral profiles, Log and share BLE events

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Found lost devices
- 🔍 Helpful for locating Bluetooth devices
- 👍 Works great
- 👍 Lifesaver
- 👍 Fantastic app

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Doesn't work with dead devices
- 🐛 Unreliable connection
- 🐛 Confusing to use
- 🐛 Doesn't work with all devices

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes after updates
- Fails to connect Apple Pencil
- Doesn't detect all nearby devices

**Requested features**

- Ability to manually name devices
- More precise location tracking
- Integration with Siri/Shortcuts


### Bluetooth for Arduino

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bluetooth-for-arduino/id1505096526)

Transform your iPhone or iPad into a wireless remote control for your Arduino projects. Easily connect to your Bluetooth module and send custom commands via keyboard or pre-designed buttons.

**Highlights:** Bluetooth remote control, Arduino project control, Custom command sending, Keyboard input, Button interface, Connect to Bluetooth modules

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

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Coffee | $0.99 | one-time |
| Custom | $3.99 | one-time |
| Gamepad | $3.99 | one-time |
| Terminal | $3.99 | one-time |
| Unlock everything | $11.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is LightBlue® free?

LightBlue® is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Bluetooth for Arduino free?

Bluetooth for Arduino is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, LightBlue® or Bluetooth for Arduino?

LightBlue® is rated higher. LightBlue® averages 4.4 out of 5 from 942 ratings, while Bluetooth for Arduino averages 3.4 from 42 ratings.

### Do LightBlue® or Bluetooth for Arduino have ads?

Neither LightBlue® nor Bluetooth for Arduino shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, LightBlue® or Bluetooth for Arduino?

LightBlue® ships an update every 3 weeks, and Bluetooth for Arduino every 2 months. Most recently, LightBlue® was updated on October 24, 2026 and Bluetooth for Arduino on October 25, 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.*