# starCTRL vs Datacolor LightColor Meter

The clearest difference is rating: starCTRL at 2.9 against Datacolor LightColor Meter's 1.7. starCTRL also leads on monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases) and review sentiment (25% vs 17%). Datacolor LightColor Meter's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 6 months) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 14.0). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

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

starCTRL holds the better App Store score, 2.9 against 1.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 7 and 7 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 25% of starCTRL's written reviews are positive against 17% of Datacolor LightColor Meter's.

starCTRL ships an update every 6 months, Datacolor LightColor Meter fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on June 1, 2026 and September 10, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | starCTRL | Datacolor LightColor Meter |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[2.9 (7 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/starctrl/id6444952715/reviews)** | [1.7 (7 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/datacolor-lightcolor-meter/id6739147007/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 7 | 7 |
| Positive reviews | **25.0% of reviews** | 16.7% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 6 months | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 3 MB | 30 MB |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 | **12.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Videndum Production Solutions, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/962154071) | [Datacolor Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/432310628) |

## What reviewers say

### starCTRL

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/starctrl/id6444952715)

Design custom lighting setups with this app. Connect and control compatible fixtures, adjusting color, intensity, and effects. Save presets and group lights for complex designs.

**Highlights:** Auto-discovery of compatible fixtures, Control lamp color and intensity, Adjust color temperature and green offset, Access built-in lighting effects, Group lights for larger designs, Save favorite colors and effects, Set smooth transitions with fade times

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Datacolor LightColor Meter

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/datacolor-lightcolor-meter/id6739147007)

This pocket-sized device streams real-time light and color data to your smartphone, offering precise control over exposure and color consistency for photos, videos, and cinema. It measures various light types and color parameters, and includes gel filter libraries for creative adjustments.

**Highlights:** Real-time light and color data streaming, Exposure and lighting ratio control, Color consistency across setups, Measures Lux, Chromaticity, CCT, DUV, Includes gel filter libraries, Simultaneous measurements from multiple meters, Hands-free functionality

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is starCTRL free?

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

### Is Datacolor LightColor Meter free?

Datacolor LightColor Meter is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, starCTRL or Datacolor LightColor Meter?

starCTRL is rated higher. starCTRL averages 2.9 out of 5 from 7 ratings, while Datacolor LightColor Meter averages 1.7 from 7 ratings.

### Do starCTRL or Datacolor LightColor Meter have ads?

Neither starCTRL nor Datacolor LightColor Meter shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, starCTRL or Datacolor LightColor Meter?

starCTRL ships an update every 6 months, and Datacolor LightColor Meter fortnightly. Most recently, starCTRL was updated on June 1, 2026 and Datacolor LightColor Meter on September 10, 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.*