Comparison

starCTRL vs Understudy

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

Head to head
About

starCTRL

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
Read full description

Designed for Litepanels Astra IP and Quasar Science Rainbow 2 and Double Rainbow, starCTRL is a simple-to-use app that allows users to connect wirelessly, create custom lighting designs and quickly adjust standard parameters. Unlock fast and creative lighting designs with the starCTRL app. 1. Connect instantly The starCTRL app is compatible with the following fixtures: - Quasar Science Rainbow 2 and Double Rainbow 
 - Litepanels Astra IP series Supported fixtures are automatically discovered by starCTRL for fast easy setup. Simply set your lights to starCTRL mode in the fixture menu and open the starCTRL app — it’s that simple! 2. Control simply Take full control of your lights from your fingertips. Quasar Science control parameters: Intensity, CCT (1750-10000K), ±Green, Hue, Saturation, Output Mode, and FX Litepanels Astra IP control parameters: DIM and CCT (2700-6500K) Quickly adjust color and temperature using common presets. Access the full range of Rainbow series lighting effects, with the ability to fine-tune individual effect parameters. 3. Customize Group lights for more complex designs. Apply settings to an entire group or fine-tune individual fixtures. Save your own Colors and FX settings to Favorites for quick recall onto any selected fixture or group. Enable smooth transitions by setting a fade time of up to 5 seconds. Firmware Requirements Rainbow 2 & Double Rainbow 
 - Recommended*: QS 0.9B with TimoTwo v1.1.1.5 
 - Minimum compatible: QS 0.8B with TimoTwo v1.0.7.2 *iOS26 users must update to recommended versions or later Litepanels Astra IP 
 - Firmware v1.5.0 with VLPM v1.0.2m (or later)

About

Understudy

This app transforms a spare iPhone into a customizable prop phone for film and video production. Create realistic lock screens, scripted message conversations, and on-cue incoming calls. It's designed to keep the screen awake during long takes, ensuring seamless filming.

Highlights
  • Customizable lock screen
  • Scripted message conversations
  • Triggered incoming calls/texts
  • Short-form video feed
  • Screen stays awake
  • Built-in editor
Features
Read full description

Understudy turns a spare iPhone into a camera-ready prop phone for film and video production. Stage every screen your scene needs: a lock screen with custom wallpaper and carrier name, message conversations you script yourself, incoming calls that ring on cue, and a scrolling short-video feed. BUILT FOR SET • Lock screen with custom wallpaper, carrier name, and live clock • Scripted message threads with custom contacts and photos • Trigger an incoming call or text right from the phone • Short-form video feed with your own footage, captions, and counts • Screen stays awake through long takes YOUR CONTENT, YOUR TIMING Set up contacts, conversations, and videos in the built-in editor (double-tap anywhere with two fingers), then hand the phone to your actor and roll camera. Understudy displays fictional content for production use only. It sends no real messages, places no real calls, and is not affiliated with Apple.

Screenshots

starCTRL3 screens
Understudy4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Understudy at 100% against starCTRL's 25%. Understudy also leads on rating (5.0 vs 2.9) and update cadence (every 5 days vs every 6 months). starCTRL's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ratings volume (7 vs 1). On price and ads 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. Understudy sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. starCTRL asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Understudy holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 2.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: starCTRL has 7 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 25% of starCTRL's written reviews are positive against 100% of Understudy's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

starCTRL ships an update every 6 months, Understudy every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on September 30, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
starCTRL versus Understudy: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterstarCTRLUnderstudy
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.9 (7 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews25.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings7 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 6 monthsEvery 5 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS14.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size3 MB25 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperVidendum Production Solutions, Inc.Ginsberg AI LLC

Customer experience

starCTRL

All ratings5 ratings
Positive20.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative80.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive25.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative75.0%

Understudy

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

starCTRL

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Understudy

One-time1
  • Full Access$29.99

Questions

Is starCTRL free?
starCTRL is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Understudy free?
Understudy is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, starCTRL or Understudy?
Understudy is rated higher. starCTRL averages 2.9 out of 5 from 7 ratings, while Understudy averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do starCTRL or Understudy have ads?
Neither starCTRL nor Understudy shows ads.
Which is updated more often, starCTRL or Understudy?
starCTRL ships an update every 6 months, and Understudy every 5 days. Most recently, starCTRL was updated on September 30, 2026 and Understudy on October 13, 2026.

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