Comparison

PPFD METER vs GrowDiary

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

Head to head
About

PPFD METER

This app measures light intensity for plants, converting LUX to PPFD and DLI. It offers advanced light mapping, uniformity analysis, and efficiency insights to optimize plant growth. Customize profiles for different environments and growth stages.

Highlights
  • LUX, PPFD, DLI, and PAR measurements
  • Light mapping and distribution analysis
  • Uniformity and PPF evaluation
  • Energy efficiency and consumption tracking
  • Customizable setting profiles
  • Bluetooth sensor integration
Read full description

Perfect for both seasoned gardeners and beginners, PPFD Meter sets itself apart from standard grow light meter apps with its comprehensive features and intuitive design. Using your phone's built-in sensors or the acclaimed UNI-T UT383 BT sensor via Bluetooth, PPFD Meter provides precise and reliable light measurements. This accuracy is essential for understanding and optimizing the light your plants receive, ensuring their health and growth. PPFD Meter is more than a light measurement tool; it's a guide to understanding your plants' needs. It converts LUX readings into PPFD (Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density) and DLI (Daily Light Integral), providing critical insights for your lighting setup. Customize up to five different settings profiles for various environments or growth stages, making your plant care as unique as your garden. Advanced Light Mapping and Analysis Step into a new era of light management with PPFD Meter's advanced light mapping capabilities. Our exclusive PAR and DLI Maps feature offers a vivid, detailed representation of light distribution across your grow area, enabling precise adjustments for optimal plant growth. But that's just the beginning: In-Depth Light Analysis: Measure light uniformity to ensure even plant growth, and evaluate your setup's PPF (Photosynthetic Photon Flux) to understand the total light output. Efficiency and Consumption Insights: Assess the efficiency of your lighting system in converting energy into usable light. Track the daily total energy consumption to manage your energy usage and environmental impact effectively. Comprehensive DLI Tracking: Monitor the Daily Light Integral, a key factor in regulating plant health and growth cycles, ensuring your plants receive the right amount of light each day. These advanced features make PPFD Meter not just an app, but a vital partner in your indoor gardening journey. It’s a leap forward from typical grow light meter apps, offering a depth of analysis and customization that truly enhances your plant care experience. Download PPFD Meter today and embark on a journey of precision and expertise in plant care. Your plants will thrive like never before! Privacy Policy: https://www.ppfd.app/pp Terms of Service: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

GrowDiary

Easily document plant cultivation cycles, track progress, and share experiences with a large community. Access a vast library of grow diaries for insights and learn new techniques. Connect with seed breeders and nutrient companies.

Highlights
  • Document grow cycles
  • Track plant progress
  • Share experiences
  • Access grow diary library
  • Engage in forums
  • Connect with industry reps
Features
Read full description

GrowDiaries is your all-in-one plant cultivation app, designed to empower growers of all levels. Easily document your grow cycles, track progress, and share your experiences with a vibrant community of over 350,000 enthusiasts worldwide. Access a vast library of over 90,000 grow diaries to gain insights, learn new techniques, and improve your yields. Engage in forums, participate in contests, and connect with official representatives from leading seed breeders and nutrient companies. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned cultivator, GrowDiaries provides the tools and community support to elevate your growing journey.

Screenshots

PPFD METER4 screens
GrowDiary4 screens

Verdict

The call

PPFD METER and GrowDiary both sit at 4.6 stars, but that hides the real split: 100% of GrowDiary's written reviews are positive against 53% of PPFD METER's. GrowDiary also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 3) and update cadence (every 9 days vs every 3 weeks). PPFD METER's advantage is ratings volume (130 vs 2). On price, rating, ads and device support 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. PPFD METER sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. GrowDiary asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for PPFD METER against 4.5 for GrowDiary. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: PPFD METER has 130 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 53% of PPFD METER's written reviews are positive against 100% of GrowDiary's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PPFD METER ships an update every 3 weeks, GrowDiary every 9 days. Both last shipped on November 4, 2026.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
PPFD METER versus GrowDiary: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPPFD METERGrowDiary
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (130 ratings) — better4.5 (2 ratings)
Positive reviews52.6% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings130 — better2
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 9 days — better
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesAd-supported — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS18.016.4 — better
Further details — not scored
Size46 MB52 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperCandas PamukcuGrowD soft s.r.o.

Customer experience

PPFD METER

All ratings129 ratings
Positive89.9%
Neutral3.9%
Negative6.2%
Written reviews19 reviews
Positive52.6%
Neutral10.5%
Negative36.8%

GrowDiary

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

3 purchases

PPFD METER

Subscriptions2
  • Premium$1.991 Month
  • Premium Plus$2.991 Month
One-time1
  • Remove Ads$29.99
None

GrowDiary

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is PPFD METER free?
PPFD METER is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is GrowDiary free?
GrowDiary is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, PPFD METER or GrowDiary?
PPFD METER is rated higher. PPFD METER averages 4.6 out of 5 from 130 ratings, while GrowDiary averages 4.5 from 2 ratings.
Do PPFD METER or GrowDiary have ads?
Both PPFD METER and GrowDiary show ads.
Which is updated more often, PPFD METER or GrowDiary?
PPFD METER ships an update every 3 weeks, and GrowDiary every 9 days. Most recently, PPFD METER was updated on November 4, 2026 and GrowDiary on November 4, 2026.

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