Cine Meter vs Light Meter Pro
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Cine Meter
This app provides professional video production tools, including an RGB waveform monitor, false-color display, and a cine-style reflected light meter. It helps analyze light levels, color imbalances, and contrast ranges for precise exposure control in video shoots.
- RGB waveform monitor
- False-color display
- Cine-style reflected light meter
- Shutter-priority metering
- Adjustable light meter calibration
- Contrast range analysis
Read full descriptionHide full description
SEE the light: Cine Meter gives you an RGB waveform monitor and a false-color picture in addition to a cine-style, shutter-priority reflected light meter, using the camera in your iPhone / iPod / iPad. • The light meter shows you your stop as a decimal value (such as f/5.0, good for cameras with EVF iris readouts) or as a full stop and fraction (like f/4.0 ⅔, good for cine lenses with marked iris rings). You can calibrate Cine Meter to match other meters to a tenth of a stop. • The waveform monitor shows you how light levels vary across a scene. You'll see how smooth and even the lighting is on a greenscreen or background, and find subtle hotspots and shadows at a glance. The waveform’s RGB mode shows you color imbalances in the image and gives you a handy way to check color purity and separation for chroma-keying. • The false-color mode lets you define allowable contrast ranges, and see instantly which shadows are underexposed and what highlights risk clipping. _______________________ READ BEFORE YOU BUY: Cine Meter is NOT a color-temperature meter; it can't measure white balance. It's NOT a flash meter; it can't measure strobes. It's designed solely for cine/video work and isn't optimized for still photography; for example, it's shutter-priority only. Cine Meter gives you *absolute* light meter readings, but *relative* picture and waveform monitor levels: 1) Cine Meter’s picture and waveform monitor do not use the *exact* exposure shown by the light meter (they are close to the meter reading, but can differ from it slightly). The picture and waveform monitor show you *relative* levels within a scene, not *absolute* levels based on the meter reading. 2) You can't *preset* exposure or color temperature in Cine Meter. To compare exposures and colors, you lock Cine Meter’s auto-exposure and auto-white-balance settings while looking at a known good reference, such as a gray card. The picture and waveform monitor then show you levels and colors relative to your locked settings. See http://www.adamwilt.com/cinemeter/details.html#How_It_Works for details. (Why am I telling you this? I would rather have you understand these limitations up-front and not buy Cine Meter, than have you buy Cine Meter unaware of them and be disappointed.)
Light Meter Pro
This app helps photographers and videographers measure light accurately for perfect exposure. It offers real-time data, customizable alerts, and a user-friendly interface to enhance creative projects.
- Precision light measurements
- Real-time data monitoring
- Customizable lighting alerts
- User-friendly interface
- Advanced calibration technology
Read full descriptionHide full description
Transform the way you capture and create with Light Meter Pro, the ultimate light meter app for photographers, videographers, and lighting enthusiasts. Engineered for precision and ease, Light Meter Pro ensures you achieve perfect exposure and lighting every time. Unlock the full potential of your photography and videography with Light Meter Pro, your ultimate light measurement companion. Designed for both amateurs and professionals, Light Meter Pro provides real-time, accurate light readings right from your smartphone. Key features include: + Precision Measurements: Capture precise light levels with our advanced calibration technology. + Real-Time Data: Monitor light intensity and adjust settings on-the-fly for perfect exposures. + Customizable Alerts: Set thresholds and receive notifications for optimal lighting conditions. + User-Friendly Interface: Navigate effortlessly with a sleek design and intuitive controls. Whether you're capturing breathtaking landscapes, shooting high-quality videos, or setting up intricate lighting for portraits, Light Meter Pro ensures you always get the perfect shot. Illuminate your creative journey and achieve stunning results with confidence. Privacy Policy: https://spectra.design/privacy-policy Terms of Use: https://spectra.design/terms-of-use
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Light Meter Pro at 5.0 against Cine Meter's 3.3. Light Meter Pro also leads on update cadence (every 2 days vs every 4 months). Cine Meter's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3) and iOS requirement (5.1.1 vs 17.0). On price, ratings volume, ads and device support 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
Both are free to download. Light Meter Pro sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Cine Meter asks for nothing beyond the download.
Light Meter Pro holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 2 respectively.
Cine Meter ships an update every 4 months, Light Meter Pro every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Cine Meter | Light Meter Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.3 (3 ratings) | 5.0 (2 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 80.8% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 3 — better | 2 |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | Every 2 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 5.1.1 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 3 MB | 17 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Adam Wilt | Spectra, Incorporated |
Customer experience
Cine Meter
Light Meter Pro
In-app purchases
Cine Meter
No in-app purchases
Light Meter Pro
- Light Meter Plus$3.991 Month
- Light Meter Plus7 Days trial$9.991 Year
- Light Meter Plus$9.991 Year
Questions
Is Cine Meter free?
Is Light Meter Pro free?
Which has better reviews, Cine Meter or Light Meter Pro?
Do Cine Meter or Light Meter Pro have ads?
Which is updated more often, Cine Meter or Light Meter Pro?
Other comparisons















