Comparison

LightChannel vs Playback for Eos

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

Head to head
About

LightChannel

Read full description

Make focus sessions a breeze! Keep track of what you have, and haven't focused. See what's left to do at a glance. No more missed units in busy rigs! End plan highlighter misery! Use the built in remote to bring up channels without having to check your lighting plan all the time! Import your rig data from your lighting plan, or make new rig data in the app. LightChannel sorts the rig by position, channel and unit number. LightChannel connects to Eos Lighting Consoles and acts as a handy super-simple remote (which also has a background mode so you can focus whilst allowing the programmer to get on with setup). LightChannel gives you at a glance information about each channel, what gel is needed, dimmer number, focus notes all on the same screen as the remote functions.. going to the next channel on the bar/pipe is as simple as hitting the arrow key! LightChannel is also great for error-checking your lighting plan pre-focus, simply import your data and you're good to go! ..and your LightChannel data backs up, and syncs across your devices if you use an iCloud account! Privacy Policy: https://lovely.lighting/lightChannel-privacy Terms of use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Playback for Eos

This app connects to ETC Eos family consoles, allowing users to monitor and control playback status for live events. It offers features like triggering commands, adding notes to cues, and syncing status with cue lists.

Highlights
  • Monitor playback status
  • Trigger Go and Stop/Back commands
  • Add notes to cues
  • Sync cue status
  • Discover consoles automatically
  • Save console settings
Read full description

Playback for Eos combines seamless connectivity with elegant simplicity, allowing you to keep track of your production. With a native iOS app connected to an ETC Eos® family console, you can control, view, and note the playback status. Customisable Console Connections • Automatically discover consoles on your local Wi-Fi network. • Intuitively edit console settings to fit your system. • Save console settings for effortless portability. • Seamlessly integrate with consoles in a restricted local network. Powerful Playback • Trigger Go and Stop/Back commands on the connected console. • Attach notes to the current cue for production review. • Sync cue status to a specified cue list. Our responsive support team is always ready to help – reach out anytime at support@artificers.co.uk. Eos® is a registered trademark of ETC, INC. Artifice Industries Ltd. is an independent developer and is neither affiliated with nor endorsed by ETC, INC.

Screenshots

LightChannel4 screens
Playback for Eos4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: LightChannel at Free against Playback for Eos's $9.99. LightChannel also leads on update cadence (every 10 days vs every 3 weeks) and iOS requirement (16.0 vs 18.2). Playback for Eos's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1). On 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

LightChannel is free to download; Playback for Eos costs $9.99 up front. LightChannel sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $4.99 per month. Playback for Eos asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

LightChannel ships an update every 10 days, Playback for Eos every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 9, 2026 and June 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 4 level
LightChannel versus Playback for Eos: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLightChannelPlayback for Eos
PriceFree — better$9.99
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Update frequencyEvery 10 days — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
Monetization—Paid
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.0 — better18.2
Further details — not scored
Size6 MB9 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperColin GrenfellArtifice Industries Ltd.

In-app purchases

1 purchases

LightChannel

Subscriptions1
  • Pro Tier Monthly Subscription14 Days trial$4.991 Month
None

Playback for Eos

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is LightChannel free?
LightChannel is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Playback for Eos free?
Playback for Eos costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do LightChannel or Playback for Eos have ads?
Neither LightChannel nor Playback for Eos shows ads.
Which is updated more often, LightChannel or Playback for Eos?
LightChannel ships an update every 10 days, and Playback for Eos every 3 weeks. Most recently, LightChannel was updated on September 9, 2026 and Playback for Eos on June 6, 2026.

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