Photonics Spectra vs Advanced Manufacturing
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Mobile-friendly article reading
- Downloadable PDF issues
- Searchable archives
- Comprehensive industry coverage
- Technical and practical information
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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.
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.
- Additive manufacturing insights
- Robotics and IoT news
- Industry technology advances
- Manufacturing Engineering Magazine
- Smart Manufacturing Magazine
- SME industry updates
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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
Verdict
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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
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.
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.
| Parameter | Photonics Spectra | Advanced Manufacturing |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (1 ratings) | 5.0 (4 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | — | 100.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 1 | 4 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 10 months | Every 2 months — better |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free — better | Ad-supported |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 13.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 29 MB | 61 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Laurin Publishing Co., Inc. | Society of Manufacturing Engineers |
Customer experience
Photonics Spectra
Advanced Manufacturing
In-app purchases
Photonics Spectra
No in-app purchases
Advanced Manufacturing
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Photonics Spectra free?
Is Advanced Manufacturing free?
Which has better reviews, Photonics Spectra or Advanced Manufacturing?
Do Photonics Spectra or Advanced Manufacturing have ads?
Which is updated more often, Photonics Spectra or Advanced Manufacturing?
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