ILW Light Mapper vs HappyMapper
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
ILW Light Mapper
Transform sculptures with animated light using this projection mapping tool. Import your videos or use the built-in library to calibrate and apply visuals. Features include multiple grids, corner offsets, and warp painting for precise alignment and dynamic effects.
- Video Import (.mp4 / H.264)
- Downloadable Artwork Library
- Multiple Grids
- Corner Offsets & Global Offset Control
- Global Warp Painting Tool
- Per Grid Masking
- Timeline Scrubbing
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LightMapper is a beginner-friendly projection mapping tool designed for artists, creators, and anyone exploring light-based art. Select from a library of artwork or import your own videos, calibrate your projection with intuitive controls, and transform any surface with animated light. You can save your setups so everything is ready exactly how you left it each time you return. LightMapper includes a growing library of downloadable visuals, with new artwork added over time. FEATURES CONTENT & LIBRARY • Import your own videos (.mp4 / H.264) • Browse and download projection visuals directly in the app SETUP & CALIBRATION • Multiple grids for complex projection setups • Four-point corner adjustment for precise alignment • Global offset control for quick positioning • Scale and rotation touch controls CREATIVE TOOLS • Warp Painting – apply localized distortion to match surfaces • Masking – additive and subtractive masking tools (use shapes or import images) • Color Controls – adjust hue, saturation, and brightness (per-grid or global) • Speed Controls – slow down or speed up visuals (per-grid or global) • Transparent Backgrounds – set black to be transparent for layering (per-grid or global) WORKFLOW & CONTROL • Simple two-step process • Timeline scrubbing for video playback (per-grid or global) • Undo support while editing • Grid overlay for alignment PROJECT MANAGEMENT • Multiple save slots — create, rename, duplicate, and delete your setups • Easily switch between saved projects PERFORMANCE & SETTINGS • Edge smoothing toggle for softer or sharper visuals • Video quality control for performance vs resolution INTERFACE • Clean, sci-fi inspired UI designed for creative workflows
HappyMapper
Transform your iPhone and a projector into a dynamic art studio. Map images and videos onto any object in your space, from furniture to walls, bringing them to life with light and motion. No prior design experience or expensive software is required to create stunning visual installations.
- Map images and video onto any surface
- Draw and warp shapes to fit objects
- Layer multiple surfaces for complex designs
- Search millions of free videos and GIFs
- Import your own photos and videos
- Intuitive touch controls for easy manipulation
- Save and reload custom setups
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HappyMapper turns your iPhone and a projector into an art studio without walls. Map images and video onto anything in your space. A couch, a vase, a doorframe, your ceiling. Watch ordinary objects come alive with light, color, and motion. No design experience needed. No expensive software. Just your phone, a projector, and your imagination. CREATE YOUR OWN LIGHT INSTALLATIONS - Draw shapes directly on your screen and warp them to fit any surface - Curve edges to follow arches, round objects, and organic shapes - Layer multiple surfaces for complex, room-filling installations - Blend shapes together for seamless mapped surfaces - Cutout mode allows you to use a shape to block out light in a certain area BRING YOUR SPACE TO LIFE - Search millions of free videos: fire, water, abstract textures, neon, nature - Browse billions of GIFs for looping animations and memes - Import your own photos and videos - Pan and zoom media within each shape for perfect placement MADE FOR CREATORS, NOT ENGINEERS - Intuitive touch controls: drag, warp, and place with your fingers - Built-in quick start guide gets you mapping in minutes - Save your setups and reload them instantly - Last session is always saved so you can resume where you left off INSPIRE YOUR SPACE Whether you're setting the mood for a dinner party, creating a bedroom art installation, filming content for social media, or taking the stage, HappyMapper makes projection art accessible to everyone. One shape is free, with full access to every feature. Upgrade to Premium to add unlimited shapes.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: HappyMapper at 5.0 against ILW Light Mapper's 4.3. HappyMapper also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 5 days vs every 2 weeks). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume 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
Both are free to download. ILW Light Mapper sells 3 one-off in-app purchases and HappyMapper sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
HappyMapper holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 7 and 3 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.
ILW Light Mapper ships an update every 2 weeks, HappyMapper every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on July 2, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | ILW Light Mapper | HappyMapper |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.3 (7 ratings) | 5.0 (3 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 7 — better | 3 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | Every 5 days — better |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Freemium |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 364 MB | 11 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Stuart Griese | Kenny Lu |
Customer experience
ILW Light Mapper
HappyMapper
In-app purchases
ILW Light Mapper
- Support Development$2.99
- Organics$5.99
- Support Development$9.99
HappyMapper
- HappyMapper Pro3 Days trial$2.991 Month
- HappyMapper Pro3 Days trial$24.991 Year
- HappyMapper PRO Lifetime$14.99
Questions
Is ILW Light Mapper free?
Is HappyMapper free?
Which has better reviews, ILW Light Mapper or HappyMapper?
Do ILW Light Mapper or HappyMapper have ads?
Which is updated more often, ILW Light Mapper or HappyMapper?
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