Comparison

Chromatose vs Lumisketch

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

Head to head
About

Chromatose

Create and perform real-time, audio-reactive visuals with a powerful yet intuitive video synthesizer. Connect to external displays and customize your creations with a modular interface, extensive modulation options, and MIDI support. Ideal for live performers, VJs, and content creators.

Highlights
  • Audio-reactive visuals
  • Modular interface
  • MIDI support
  • 4 simultaneous generators
  • Unlimited effect chaining
  • HD/4K+ output
  • Patch saving and export
Features
Read full description

Chromatose is a real-time, audio-reactive visual synth for iPhone and iPad — a modular video synthesizer and visualizer that turns your input and sound into a hypnotic, trippy light show. Create original, generative visuals by hand. No coding, no AI prompts, no bulky hardware. Connect a TV or projector via HDMI or AirPlay to turn any space into an immersive atmosphere — for live performance, meditation, party, or chilling. Learn it in under an hour. Create fresh ideas for years. 〉Perfect for: Live performers, VJs, DJs, music producers, installation artists, concert and stage designers, content creators, music video directors, generative artists, and creative explorers. Works for raves, clubs, afterhours, festivals, ambient galleries, meditation spaces, and live loop sessions. 〉What you can make: A music visualizer for live sets. Audio-reactive video content for social media. Live camera filters. TV screensavers and projector backdrops for installations. Wallpapers, generative art pieces, meditation visuals — or anything else you can imagine. 〉Aesthetic range: From psychedelic, trippy, and surreal to cyberpunk, vaporwave, synthwave, retrowave, futuristic, vintage, nostalgic, dreamcore, weirdcore, liminal, and glitch. Dial in the whole rainbow spectrum of hues, refractions, liquid ripples, electric strobing, cosmic aurora, spiral warps, organic cymatics, kaleidoscope mandalas, and pure abstract procedural geometry. 〉FREE Plan Includes: • Access all generators & effects • No signup required • 100% ad-free • Max output resolution: Full 1080p HD • Saved patches: 2 • Record videos up to: 30 secs 〉Pro Plan Includes: • Access to all features • Saved patches: unlimited • Saved Performance Sets: unlimited • Max output resolution: 4K+ • Record videos up to: 15 mins • Studio-quality ProRes recording • Export Patches 〉Main Features: • Modular, intuitive interface • 4 simultaneous visual generators • Chain unlimited visual effects, filters, and modulation layers • Design Mode to build unique visuals from scratch • Performance Mode: eight hot-swappable patches per Set, Master FX chain, fully modular transitions • Custom color palettes with harmony-based generation • Metal-powered, iOS native graphics engine • 8-bit or 16-bit color (SDR and HDR) with deep gradient fidelity • Built specifically for iPhone and iPad 〉Modulation & Synthesis: • Dedicated LFOs per parameter • Multiple waveshapes, free-running or clock-synced • Nested modulation and feedback loops • Envelope generators and signal followers • Animated visual indicators • Analog-style signal flow — reactive to every nuance 〉Connectivity: • Connect to any screen with HDMI (via USB-C or Lightning adapter) or AirPlay • MIDI Plug & Play with other Hardware and Software via: USB, Bluetooth, Network, Virtual MIDI (other apps on same device) • MIDI 1.0 and 2.0, with CC, note, and NRPN mapping • MIDI mappable Macro Controls and Performance pads • MIDI Clock Sync • Wireless display and dual-screen output 〉Audio Reactivity: • Visuals pulse and react to live audio in real time • Internal mic or any audio interface, with input selection and auto-gain • 3 shapeable audio signal sources • Audio-to-visual translation on any parameter, driven by the full mix or just the lows or highs • Signal followers and envelopes • Turn any sound into a visual trip 〉Sharing and Export: • Import and export patches as files for sharing and remixing • Record HD video (HEVC or ProRes) or screenshots optimized for social media • Save directly to iOS Photos library 〉Patch Library: • Intuitive browsing and organization • Tag, search, sort and filter by mood, genre, or aesthetic • Built-in presets included Chromatose is made entirely by one independent developer in Berlin, with no investors or corporate agenda: a modular video synthesizer and visual instrument in your pocket, aiming to democratize real-time generative visual creation. Terms of Use: https://www.chromatose.app/en/terms/

About

Lumisketch

Instantly visualize permanent lighting designs on any building using photos. Test colors and animations before installation. Ideal for professional installers and homeowners planning lighting projects.

Highlights
  • Instant lighting mockups
  • Test static colors
  • Smart color modes
  • Real animation previews
  • MP4/GIF exports
  • On-site photo capture
Features
Read full description

LumiSketch – Permanent Lighting Mockups in Seconds Instantly see any building in lights. Turn a quick photo into a living, animated lighting mockup—right on-site. LumiSketch is built for professional installers and homeowners who want to see permanent RGB roofline lights before the ladder ever leaves the truck. What you can do as a Guest (no sign-up) Tap-to-Light on a sample home image Zoom & pan for pixel-perfect placement Test a single static color Upgrade to LumiSketch Pro (in-app subscription) Upload your own photo – visualize any roofline in seconds Smart Color Modes – Outward, Downward, or strict 3-color RGB patterns Real Animations – preview Pulse, Wave, Snake, and more at true playback speed Instant Exports – create MP4 or animated GIF previews ready to text, email, or embed Multi-Device Login – Sign in with Apple, Google, or Facebook Built for Installers Snap a photo at the door (Pro) Sketch the design while you chat Hand the client their own animated preview (Pro) Close the sale—often before you leave the driveway Installers report up to 40 % faster closes and higher upsell rates when using LumiSketch in the field. Great for Homeowners Compare colors before you buy (Guest) Plan holiday, game-day, or mood lighting (Pro) Share designs with family or your installer (Pro) Subscription & Free Trial New users get a 3-day free trial of LumiSketch Pro. Payment is charged to your Apple ID at confirmation and renews automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the period. Manage or cancel subscriptions in Settings ▸ Apple ID ▸ Subscriptions. Terms of Use: https://lumisketch.net/terms/ Privacy Policy: https://lumisketch.net/privacy Support & Feedback Email us: lumisketchsupport@lumisketch.net Download LumiSketch now and bring permanent lighting to life—before the ladder ever leaves the truck.

Screenshots

Chromatose4 screens
Lumisketch4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Lumisketch at every 8 days against Chromatose's every 3 months. Lumisketch also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.6) and review sentiment (100% vs 79%). Chromatose's advantage is ratings volume (17 vs 2). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. Chromatose sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month and Lumisketch sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $139.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Lumisketch holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Chromatose has 17 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 79% of Chromatose's written reviews are positive against 100% of Lumisketch's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Chromatose ships an update every 3 months, Lumisketch every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Chromatose versus Lumisketch: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterChromatoseLumisketch
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (17 ratings)5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews78.9% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings17 — better2
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 8 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS18.615.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size45 MB77 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperEdward RoothHorizon Home Lights LLP

Customer experience

Chromatose

All ratings17 ratings
Positive94.1%
Neutral0.0%
Negative5.9%
Written reviews19 reviews
Positive78.9%
Neutral5.3%
Negative15.8%

Lumisketch

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

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Chromatose

Subscriptions3
  • Pro$5.991 Month
  • Pro$49.991 Year
  • Standard [DISCONTINUED]7 Days trial$59.991 Year
1 purchases

Lumisketch

Subscriptions1
  • Lumisketch Monthly7 Days trial$139.991 Month

Questions

Is Chromatose free?
Chromatose is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Lumisketch free?
Lumisketch is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Chromatose or Lumisketch?
Lumisketch is rated higher. Chromatose averages 4.6 out of 5 from 17 ratings, while Lumisketch averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.
Do Chromatose or Lumisketch have ads?
Neither Chromatose nor Lumisketch shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Chromatose or Lumisketch?
Chromatose ships an update every 3 months, and Lumisketch every 8 days. Most recently, Chromatose was updated on October 24, 2026 and Lumisketch on October 16, 2026.

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