Comparison

Photonics Spectra vs Advanced Manufacturing

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

Head to head
About

Photonics Spectra

Access the leading magazine for the photonics industry on your mobile device. Read articles in a convenient format, download PDF issues, and search through archives of past content. Stay informed about optics, lasers, imaging, and more.

Highlights
  • Mobile-friendly article reading
  • Downloadable PDF issues
  • Searchable archives
  • Comprehensive industry coverage
  • Technical and practical information
Features
Read full description

Photonics Spectra, the world's leading magazine covering the photonics industry, is also available as a mobile app. Features include the ability to: • Read articles in a mobile-friendly format • Download a pdf of each issue • Search archived issues Since 1967, Photonics Spectra magazine has defined the science and industry of photonics, promoting an international dialogue among the engineers, scientists, and end users who develop, commercialize, and buy photonic products. Photonics Spectra is unique in that it provides both technical and practical information for every aspect of the global industry, integrating all segments of photonics: optics, lasers, imaging, spectroscopy, sensors and detectors, fiber optics, microscopy, displays, light sources, machine vision, and more. This application is powered by GTxcel, a leader in digital publishing technology, provider of hundreds of online digital publications and mobile magazine apps.

About

Advanced Manufacturing

Stay informed on the latest innovations in additive manufacturing, robotics, and the Industrial Internet of Things. This app provides industry professionals with up-to-date news and technology advances to improve decision-making in a competitive global market.

Highlights
  • Additive manufacturing insights
  • Robotics and IoT news
  • Industry technology advances
  • Manufacturing Engineering Magazine
  • Smart Manufacturing Magazine
  • SME industry updates
Features
Read full description

Publishers of Manufacturing Engineering, Smart Manufacturing and AdvancedManufacturing.org, SME Media are manufacturing industry thought leaders, keeping an eye on what’s next. From additive manufacturing, software, and robots to virtual reality and the Industrial Internet of Things, we keep industry professionals up to date on the innovations that are leading the charge of advanced manufacturing. We are committed to keeping our readers informed about relevant news, technology and advances that improve their ability to make decisions in an intensely competitive global environment. Manufacturing Engineering Magazine The magazine’s history dates back to 1935, when SME first published it as Tool Engineer. In the 1960s, the magazine was called Tool and Manufacturing Engineer. In the 1970s, it became Manufacturing Engineering and Management. Since 1975, the magazine has been known as Manufacturing Engineering, or as our customers sometimes call us, M.E. Smart Manufacturing Magazine Smart Manufacturing focuses on advanced manufacturing technologies and tools that are driven or enhanced by integrated information technology. Smart Manufacturing is available free of charge to qualified subscribers in the US. SME (Society of Manufacturing Engineers) Established in 1932, SME is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of manufacturing. SME leads the industrial ecosystem by elevating manufacturers, academia and the communities in which they operate. Together we share one common belief: Manufacturing holds the key to economic growth and prosperity. SME helps unlock the full promise of manufacturing as an engine of commerce, progress and human potential. We believe in technology's power and humanity's innovation to advance our society and meet many of our biggest challenges. We design new ways to understand and solve problems, and our solutions advance the next wave of inspiration. SME's Vision: Manufacturing is a diverse, thriving, and valued ecosystem SME's Mission: Accelerate widespread adoption of manufacturing technologies and build North America’s talent and capabilities SME's Purpose: Advance manufacturing to drive competitiveness, resiliency, and national security Learn more about SME at SME.org.

Screenshots

Photonics Spectra4 screens
Advanced Manufacturing4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Photonics Spectra at none against Advanced Manufacturing's shown. Photonics Spectra also leads on monetization model (free vs ad-supported). Advanced Manufacturing's advantage is update cadence (every 2 months vs every 10 months) and ratings volume (4 vs 1). On price, rating, in-app purchases 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Photonics Spectra against 5.0 for Advanced Manufacturing. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 4 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Photonics Spectra ships an update every 10 months, Advanced Manufacturing every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 11, 2026 and October 29, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Photonics Spectra versus Advanced Manufacturing: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPhotonics SpectraAdvanced Manufacturing
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings)5.0 (4 ratings)
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings14 — better
Update frequencyEvery 10 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree — betterAd-supported
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.0 — better13.0
Further details — not scored
Size29 MB61 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLaurin Publishing Co., Inc.Society of Manufacturing Engineers

Customer experience

Photonics Spectra

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Advanced Manufacturing

All ratings4 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Photonics Spectra

No in-app purchases

None

Advanced Manufacturing

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Photonics Spectra free?
Photonics Spectra is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Advanced Manufacturing free?
Advanced Manufacturing is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Photonics Spectra or Advanced Manufacturing?
Photonics Spectra and Advanced Manufacturing are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 1 and 4 ratings respectively.
Do Photonics Spectra or Advanced Manufacturing have ads?
Advanced Manufacturing shows ads; Photonics Spectra does not.
Which is updated more often, Photonics Spectra or Advanced Manufacturing?
Photonics Spectra ships an update every 10 months, and Advanced Manufacturing every 2 months. Most recently, Photonics Spectra was updated on October 11, 2026 and Advanced Manufacturing on October 29, 2026.

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