Comparison

Aperture vs illumeter

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

Head to head
About

Aperture

This app helps film photographers achieve perfect exposure by calculating ideal aperture and shutter speed based on ISO. It also allows users to save reference photos with detailed metadata to document their creative process and settings.

Highlights
  • Accurate light metering for film ISO
  • Minimalist and intuitive design
  • Customizable aperture and shutter speed ranges
  • Reference photo album with metadata
  • Lens presets and user settings
  • Recommendations for shooting scenarios
Features
Read full description

Aperture - Light Meter: Simplifying Film Photography with Precision Aperture - Light Meter is a minimalist, intuitive tool designed to help film photographers achieve perfect exposure and document their creative process. By calculating the ideal aperture and shutter speed based on your film’s ISO sensitivity, the app ensures every shot is perfectly balanced. Featuring integrated Zone System metering, a continuous film frame counter, and a visual shot log gallery, Aperture makes it easy to track your rolls, evaluate contrast, and log settings for future analog projects. Key Features: Accurate Light Metering & Zone System: Compute precise aperture and shutter speed settings based on your film’s ISO sensitivity. Tap to measure specific target zones and pre-visualize contrast for maximum control over highlights and shadows. Continuous Film Frame Counter: Automatically track your roll from frame 0 to 36 as you shoot. Smart continuation allows manual roll extensions (e.g., frame 37+) for bulk-loaded or longer rolls, with frame numbers stamped on gallery thumbnails and photo details. Easily adjust or clear frame values with a native wheel selector. Reference Photo Album & Visual EXIF Log: Capture digital reference photos saved with complete exposure metadata (ISO, aperture, shutter speed, frame number, and date). Access a visual gallery to compare developed lab scans against original metering data. Minimalist & Intuitive Design: A clean, distraction-free interface crafted to perfection, allowing you to evaluate light and adjust settings without breaking your shooting rhythm. Customizable Ranges & Lens Presets: Match your camera setup with customizable aperture and shutter speed bounds, or select preset profiles for fast, macro, or long-exposure shooting scenarios. ISO Sensitivity Input: Dial in exact ISO values tailored to your specific 35mm or medium format film stock. Why Choose Aperture - Light Meter? Designed for Analog Shooters: Built specifically for manual film cameras, bridging the gap between analog workflow and digital logging tools. Crafted to Perfection: Fast, reliable, and distraction-free—no ads, trackers, or hidden subscriptions. Document & Refine Your Craft: Keep accurate frame-by-frame records so you know exactly how each exposure was calculated when your lab scans come back. Who Is This App For? 35mm and medium format photographers seeking high-precision exposure metering. Analog enthusiasts who want an effortless way to log film EXIF data and track frame numbers. Photographers who want a dedicated Zone System light meter built for speed in the field. Simplify your film photography workflow with Aperture - Light Meter. Achieve perfect exposure, track your roll frame by frame, and shoot with confidence. Download now to elevate your analog process!

About

illumeter

This app functions as a portable light meter, allowing users to measure exposure values like aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. It offers features for logging shots with location and settings, and provides customization options for a personalized user experience.

Highlights
  • Exposure measurement (Aperture, Shutter Speed, ISO)
  • Tap-to-focus exposure lock
  • Exposure compensation
  • Frame logging with location and settings
  • List and map view of logged frames
  • Customizable settings and appearance
Features
Read full description

illumeter, The Simplest Light Meter in Your Pocket. Exposure Meter • Choose the value you want to measure from Aperture, Shutter Speed, or ISO. • The selected value automatically adjusts based on changes in the other two settings. • Tap a specific point on the screen to lock the exposure to that area. • An exposure compensation feature is provided to help you handle various challenging lighting conditions. Frame Logging • Log your frames by composing your shot and pressing the shutter button. • Location, date and time, EV value, and settings are recorded with each frame. • Review your recorded frames in a list and on a map. • Easily delete or edit incorrect frames. Settings & Personalization • Easily toggle various features on or off. • Deactivate or remove unused values. • Customize the app's appearance and feedback to your preference.

Screenshots

Aperture4 screens
illumeter4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: illumeter at Free against Aperture's $3.99. On review sentiment, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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

illumeter is free to download; Aperture costs $3.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Aperture ships an update monthly, illumeter every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 20, 2026 and July 18, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Aperture versus illumeter: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterApertureillumeter
Price$3.99Free — better
Rating—4.6 (11 ratings) — better
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—11 — better
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidFree — better
DevicesiPhoneiPhone
Requires iOS17.016.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size2 MB12 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperNicolae GherasimSeunghun Yang

Customer experience

Aperture

Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

illumeter

All ratings11 ratings
Positive90.9%
Neutral9.1%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews6 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Aperture

No in-app purchases

None

illumeter

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Aperture free?
Aperture costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is illumeter free?
illumeter is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Aperture or illumeter have ads?
Neither Aperture nor illumeter shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Aperture or illumeter?
Aperture ships an update monthly, and illumeter every 2 weeks. Most recently, Aperture was updated on September 20, 2026 and illumeter on July 18, 2026.

Other comparisons