Comparison

Gear Code vs StageTools

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

Head to head
About

Gear Code

This app helps lighting, sound, and video professionals quickly troubleshoot and manage event equipment. It streamlines workflows to minimize downtime and maximize performance for smoother events. Designed with over 25 years of industry experience, it offers tools for efficient equipment management.

Highlights
  • Streamline troubleshooting
  • Minimize downtime
  • Maximize performance
  • Mobile-accessible platform
  • Unlimited users
  • Unlimited events
Read full description

Gear Code revolutionizes the way lighting, sound, video professionals troubleshoot and manage equipment. Our mobile-accessible platform ensures your technicians can resolve issues quickly, keeping your events running smoothly. With over 25 years of industry experience behind us, Gear Code offers tools that simplify your workflows, reduce downtime, and enhance efficiency. Streamline Troubleshooting. Minimize Downtime. Maximize Performance. Flexible Pricing plans Unlimited # Users Unlimited # of Events

About

StageTools

A comprehensive lighting toolkit for professionals, offering network scanning, DMX inspection, fixture testing, and plot creation. Manage fixture data, files, and notes without needing a laptop, with many tools available offline.

Highlights
  • Network device scanning
  • DMX viewer for sACN/ArtNet
  • Micro console for fixture testing
  • Protocol detector
  • LTC timecode generation/reception
  • Curve builder
  • Quick plot creation
  • Scout notes with multimedia
Features
Read full description

StageTools is a lighting toolkit for iPhone and iPad, built for the work that happens before, during, and after the rig is in the air. Scout the job. Plot the rig. Troubleshoot the network. Check DMX. Keep fixture data, files, notes, and utility tools close without opening a laptop. TOOLBOX Network Devices scans your show network and helps you keep track of nodes, switches, consoles, and other devices. DMX Viewer listens to sACN and ArtNet so you can inspect live universe data and catch channel changes. Micro Console gives you a pocket-sized lighting console for fixture testing, quick looks, and controlled sACN or ArtNet output when you need it. Protocol Detector passively listens for common show-network traffic so you can see what is talking before you change anything. LTC Timecode can generate, receive, or jam timecode from your device. Curve Builder helps build fixture correction references from meter readings and export them for real show workflows. DIP Switch and CCT Converter cover the small calculations that still come up on set and in the shop. QUICK PLOTS Build fast lighting plots, network layouts, and power notes on one canvas. Add symbols, labels, cables, layers, backgrounds, custom symbols, and exports to PDF or PNG. SCOUT NOTES Create location scouts with photos, videos, marked-up images, note tabs, voice memos, transcripts, files, and PDF export. Make Scout Notes can turn a voice transcript into structured notes you can review and insert. FIXTURES Search, download, favorite, and reference fixtures from the GDTF Share Library. Downloaded fixtures can be used across StageTools workflows. FILES Save links, PDFs, manuals, plots, patch sheets, network diagrams, and local files. Organize by folder, category, and favorites, then share folder bundles when another StageTools user needs the same packet. BUILT FOR LIGHTING WORK StageTools is focused on lighting professionals: set lighting crews, theatrical electricians, lighting designers, programmers, gaffers, and touring techs. Many tools work offline. Live network tools require access to the show network. Core data stays on your device, with optional iCloud Sync for your own devices. StageTools is free to try. A subscription unlocks the full lighting workflow after the trial. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Gear Code4 screens
StageTools4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Gear Code at none against StageTools's 2. Gear Code also leads on iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.6). StageTools's advantage is update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 2 months). On price, rating, ratings volume and ads 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. StageTools sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Gear Code asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Gear Code against 5.0 for StageTools. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 3 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Gear Code ships an update every 2 months, StageTools every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and October 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Gear Code versus StageTools: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGear CodeStageTools
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (3 ratings)5.0 (3 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings33
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size17 MB87 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGear Code, LLCX0 Lighting Control Inc.

In-app purchases

None

Gear Code

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

StageTools

Subscriptions2
  • StageTools Monthly7 Days trial$3.991 Month
  • StageTools Annual7 Days trial$39.991 Year

Questions

Is Gear Code free?
Gear Code is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is StageTools free?
StageTools is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Gear Code or StageTools?
Gear Code and StageTools are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 3 and 3 ratings respectively.
Do Gear Code or StageTools have ads?
Neither Gear Code nor StageTools shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Gear Code or StageTools?
Gear Code ships an update every 2 months, and StageTools every 2 weeks. Most recently, Gear Code was updated on October 6, 2026 and StageTools on October 3, 2026.

Other comparisons