Comparison

Lux Light Meter Photography vs LightMeter Express

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

Head to head
About

Lux Light Meter Photography

This app provides professional-grade light metering for photography and videography, offering precise exposure calculations and support for various camera settings and filters. It excels in low-light conditions and offers versatile applications beyond creative media.

Highlights
  • Interactive exposure calculator
  • Shutter angle for video
  • Professional accuracy calibration
  • Superior low-light performance
  • Dual camera support
  • Comprehensive filter support
  • Save unlimited readings
Features
Read full description

Achieve perfect exposure every time with professional-grade accuracy and an intuitive design. Trusted by photographers, filmmakers, plant enthusiasts, and lighting professionals worldwide. INTERACTIVE EXPOSURE CALCULATOR Get instant, optimal camera settings with real-time adjustments for aperture (f-stop, f-number), shutter speed (exposure time), ISO, +/- exposure compensation, and filters. Choose between full stops, half stops, and third stops individually for each parameter. Lock any setting to maintain creative control. Perfect for SLR, analog, manual, vintage, and film cameras. SHUTTER ANGLE FOR VIDEO & FILM Set your frame rate and shutter angle, or use the standard 180° rule, to automatically calculate the optimal shutter speed for natural motion blur. PROFESSIONAL ACCURACY Pre-calibrated to match three professional light meters, with optional device-specific calibration for even greater precision. SUPERIOR LOW-LIGHT PERFORMANCE Unlike other smartphone light meters, this app excels in very low light conditions. Measures values below 1 lux, 0.1 fc, and down to -2 EV. DUAL CAMERA SUPPORT Utilize both rear and front cameras for reflective measurements and resizable spot metering. COMPREHENSIVE FILTER SUPPORT Full support for ND (neutral density) filters, color filters, IR filters, CPL/PL polarizing filters, and custom filters. MULTIPLE MEASUREMENT UNITS Measure light intensity (illuminance/brightness) in Lux (lx, lumens/m²), Foot-Candles (fc), and Exposure Value (EV). SAVE MEASUREMENTS Store unlimited readings with timestamps, custom notes, and complete camera settings for future reference and comparison. VERSATILE APPLICATIONS Beyond photography and filmmaking, widely used for horticulture, plant growing, aquariums, terrariums, art galleries, museums, offices, and workspaces. 40 LANGUAGES SUPPORTED Fully localized interface and comprehensive user documentation in 40 languages. FULLY CUSTOMIZABLE Tailor the app to your workflow, including high-contrast mode for accessibility. DEDICATED SUPPORT Questions or feature requests? Email apps@contechity.com — you'll get a personal response! Turn your phone into a professional light meter today!

About

LightMeter Express

This tool transforms your iPhone into a professional light meter for photography. It offers accurate exposure readings with real-time calculations for aperture, shutter speed, and ISO, supporting various camera settings and providing exposure compensation.

Highlights
  • Real-time light metering
  • Precise exposure calculations
  • Support for standard camera settings
  • Exposure value (EV) display
  • Spot metering (Pro feature)
  • Live histogram (Pro feature)
Read full description

LightMeter Express - Professional Camera Tool Transform your iPhone into a precision light meter for film and digital photography. Get accurate exposure readings with an intuitive interface designed for photographers who demand professional-grade metering capabilities. CORE FEATURES (FREE): • Real-time light metering using your device's camera • Precise aperture, shutter speed, and ISO calculations • Support for all standard camera settings • Clean, professional interface optimized for quick readings • Exposure value (EV) display with compensation controls • Camera settings reference for popular film and digital cameras • Works in any lighting condition your camera can see • Intuitive haptic feedback with "full-stop" detents for exposure drag gestures PERFECT FOR: • Film photographers seeking accurate meter readings • Digital photographers wanting precise exposure control • Studio and outdoor photography • Learning proper exposure techniques • Backup metering when your camera's meter fails PRO FEATURES (One-time $0.99 purchase): • **Spot Metering** - Professional spot metering with zoomed preview for precise exposure readings from specific areas of your scene. Drag to reposition, tap to meter. Works best on iPhones with telephoto lenses for maximum precision • Custom Step Increments - Choose between 1/3, 1/2, or full stop increments for all exposure parameters to match your camera and shooting style • Live Histogram - Real-time histogram display with RGB channel analysis for precise exposure evaluation and highlight/shadow monitoring • Preview Compensation - See exposure compensation effects directly in the camera preview to visualize over/under exposure before shooting • Custom Limits - Set personalized aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and exposure compensation limits to match your specific camera gear and preferences • Black & White Preview - Turn the camera preview into a grayscale image for helping with B&W photography The free version provides full light metering functionality suitable for most photography needs. Pro features add advanced customization and analysis tools for professional and enthusiast photographers. TECHNICAL NOTES: • Requires camera access to function as a light meter • All processing happens locally on your device • No internet connection required • Compatible with iPhone • Spot metering optimized for devices with multiple camera lenses PRIVACY: Light Meter respects your privacy. Camera data is processed locally and never stored or transmitted. No personal information is collected.

Screenshots

Lux Light Meter Photography4 screens
LightMeter Express4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: LightMeter Express at daily against Lux Light Meter Photography's every 5 weeks. Lux Light Meter Photography's advantage is rating (4.8 vs 4.5) and device support (3 vs 1). On price, review sentiment, 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

Both are free to download. Lux Light Meter Photography sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month and LightMeter Express sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Lux Light Meter Photography holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 38 and 11 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 94% of Lux Light Meter Photography's written reviews are positive against 88% of LightMeter Express's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Lux Light Meter Photography ships an update every 5 weeks, LightMeter Express daily. Both last shipped on October 30, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Lux Light Meter Photography versus LightMeter Express: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLux Light Meter PhotographyLightMeter Express
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (38 ratings) — better4.5 (11 ratings)
Positive reviews94.1% of reviews — better87.5% of reviews
Number of ratings38 — better11
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeksDaily — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size43 MB4 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperContechity ABDigitaino LLC

Customer experience

Lux Light Meter Photography

All ratings37 ratings
Positive94.6%
Neutral2.7%
Negative2.7%
Written reviews17 reviews
Positive94.1%
Neutral5.9%
Negative0.0%

LightMeter Express

All ratings8 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews8 reviews
Positive87.5%
Neutral0.0%
Negative12.5%

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Lux Light Meter Photography

Subscriptions1
  • Full access7 Days trial$1.991 Month
One-time2
  • Full access$4.99
  • Full access$14.99
1 purchases

LightMeter Express

One-time1
  • Light Meter Pro$2.99

Questions

Is Lux Light Meter Photography free?
Lux Light Meter Photography is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is LightMeter Express free?
LightMeter Express is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Lux Light Meter Photography or LightMeter Express?
Lux Light Meter Photography is rated higher. Lux Light Meter Photography averages 4.8 out of 5 from 38 ratings, while LightMeter Express averages 4.5 from 11 ratings.
Do Lux Light Meter Photography or LightMeter Express have ads?
Neither Lux Light Meter Photography nor LightMeter Express shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Lux Light Meter Photography or LightMeter Express?
Lux Light Meter Photography ships an update every 5 weeks, and LightMeter Express daily. Most recently, Lux Light Meter Photography was updated on October 30, 2026 and LightMeter Express on October 30, 2026.

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