Blackout Next (Legacy) vs StageTools
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Blackout Next (Legacy)
This professional lighting console app offers an intuitive interface for controlling DMX, Art-Net, and sACN lighting systems. It features a vast cloud fixture database, custom fixture creation, and a robust multi-cuelist platform for organizing lighting looks.
- Cloud Fixture Database
- Custom Fixture Creation
- Intuitive Fixture Controls
- Multi-Cuelist Platform
- Dynamic Effects Engine
- MIDI Support
Read full descriptionHide full description
Blackout is a revolutionary professional Art-Net/sACN DMX Lighting Console app for the iPad. Redefine your lighting with our incredibly intuitive interface and powerful effects engine. Features: - Cloud Fixture Database: Access over 44,000 fixture profiles licensed from Carallon, the leader in fixture profile services. - Create Custom Fixtures: Utilize our Fixture Creation Wizard to design your own profiles, perfectly matching your specific lighting needs. - Fixture Patching Made Simple: Effortlessly categorize and label LED fixtures with a streamlined Patch interface, ideal for batch management. - Intuitive Fixture Controls: Adjust parameters with ease in Fixture Controls and experience our NEW multi-dimensional color picker. - Robust Multi-Cuelist Platform: Organize and save lighting looks within Sequences, complete with customizable fade times, delays, and links. - Presets for Quick Access: Save and recall fixture parameters instantly, streamlining batch changes across multiple fixtures through our Favorites. - Dynamic Effects Engine: Explore limitless creative possibilities with our advanced Effects Engine, featuring intensity chases, color loops, and more. - Macro Functionality: Simplify complex lighting tasks into single-button actions for maximum efficiency. - Enhanced Data Visibility: Experience our reworked UI with new view states for displaying data in various formats, aiding quicker analysis and decision-making. - Advanced MIDI Support (Input & Output): Gain tactile control over your lighting with MIDI compatibility, suitable for both wired and wireless controllers.
StageTools
A comprehensive lighting toolkit for professionals, offering network scanning, DMX inspection, fixture testing, and plot creation. Manage fixture data, files, and notes without needing a laptop, with many tools available offline.
- Network device scanning
- DMX viewer for sACN/ArtNet
- Micro console for fixture testing
- Protocol detector
- LTC timecode generation/reception
- Curve builder
- Quick plot creation
- Scout notes with multimedia
Read full descriptionHide full description
StageTools is a lighting toolkit for iPhone and iPad, built for the work that happens before, during, and after the rig is in the air. Scout the job. Plot the rig. Troubleshoot the network. Check DMX. Keep fixture data, files, notes, and utility tools close without opening a laptop. TOOLBOX Network Devices scans your show network and helps you keep track of nodes, switches, consoles, and other devices. DMX Viewer listens to sACN and ArtNet so you can inspect live universe data and catch channel changes. Micro Console gives you a pocket-sized lighting console for fixture testing, quick looks, and controlled sACN or ArtNet output when you need it. Protocol Detector passively listens for common show-network traffic so you can see what is talking before you change anything. LTC Timecode can generate, receive, or jam timecode from your device. Curve Builder helps build fixture correction references from meter readings and export them for real show workflows. DIP Switch and CCT Converter cover the small calculations that still come up on set and in the shop. QUICK PLOTS Build fast lighting plots, network layouts, and power notes on one canvas. Add symbols, labels, cables, layers, backgrounds, custom symbols, and exports to PDF or PNG. SCOUT NOTES Create location scouts with photos, videos, marked-up images, note tabs, voice memos, transcripts, files, and PDF export. Make Scout Notes can turn a voice transcript into structured notes you can review and insert. FIXTURES Search, download, favorite, and reference fixtures from the GDTF Share Library. Downloaded fixtures can be used across StageTools workflows. FILES Save links, PDFs, manuals, plots, patch sheets, network diagrams, and local files. Organize by folder, category, and favorites, then share folder bundles when another StageTools user needs the same packet. BUILT FOR LIGHTING WORK StageTools is focused on lighting professionals: set lighting crews, theatrical electricians, lighting designers, programmers, gaffers, and touring techs. Many tools work offline. Live network tools require access to the show network. Core data stays on your device, with optional iCloud Sync for your own devices. StageTools is free to try. A subscription unlocks the full lighting workflow after the trial. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is ratings volume: Blackout Next (Legacy) at 21 against StageTools's 4. On price, rating, update cadence 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
Both are free to download. Blackout Next (Legacy) sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and StageTools sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Blackout Next (Legacy) against 5.0 for StageTools. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Blackout Next (Legacy) has 21 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two.
Blackout Next (Legacy) ships an update fortnightly, StageTools every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Blackout Next (Legacy) | StageTools |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (21 ratings) | 5.0 (4 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 21 — better | 4 |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | Every 2 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPad | iPhone, iPad — better |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | 17.6 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 359 MB | 87 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Blackout Lighting Console Inc. | X0 Lighting Control Inc. |
In-app purchases
Blackout Next (Legacy)
- Basic Plan$799.99
StageTools
- StageTools Monthly7 Days trial$3.991 Month
- StageTools Annual7 Days trial$39.991 Year
Questions
Is Blackout Next (Legacy) free?
Is StageTools free?
Which has better reviews, Blackout Next (Legacy) or StageTools?
Do Blackout Next (Legacy) or StageTools have ads?
Which is updated more often, Blackout Next (Legacy) or StageTools?
Other comparisons















