Comparison

m vs StageTools

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

Head to head
About

m

Transform your device into a professional sACN lighting fixture for stage, film, and art installations. Control screen brightness, intensity, and vibration using standard lighting protocols.

Highlights
  • sACN control for Universe and DMX Address
  • Real-time backlight brightness adjustment
  • IRGB 8-Bit fixture compatibility
  • 6 Channel Mode with flashlight intensity
  • Device vibration control
  • Intuitive interface
Features
Read full description

Turn any screen into a stage light. m-BER makes your iPhone, iPad or Apple TV a lighting fixture you can patch straight into your console. Send it sACN, and the screen answers with colour and intensity in real time, just like every other fixture in your rig. No dongles. No gateway. Just join the show network and go. PATCH IT LIKE A FIXTURE • Patch as a Generic IRGB 8-bit fixture on any universe • Set the start address, and m-BER tells you exactly which channels it uses • Intensity, red, green and blue on four channels per region SPLIT THE SCREEN Run the whole display as one light, or divide it into independently addressed cells: • Single: one full-screen fixture • Half: two cells, side by side or stacked • Quad: four cells as a grid, in rows or in columns Every cell gets its own four channels, so one device can be four fixtures. MORE THAN A SCREEN On iPhone, two extra channels put the flashlight and the vibration motor on the desk. Flash, pulse and buzz on cue, straight from your console. BUILT FOR THE SHOW • Orientation locks the moment the fixture goes live, so a bumped phone never flips the look • Clean, full-bleed output with nothing on screen but light • Works across iPhone, iPad and Apple TV. Buy once, use it on all of them PERFECT FOR • Props that need to glow on cue • Phones and tablets written into the action • TVs and monitors used as set dressing • Quick practicals when you're one fixture short WHAT YOU NEED • A lighting console or software that outputs sACN (ANSI E1.31) • Your device and console on the same network TRY IT FREE The annual plan starts with a 3-day free trial. Prefer to own it outright? A one-time purchase unlocks m-BER for good. Powered by Liberate Lighting. SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION • m-BER Annual: 1-year subscription, with a 3-day free trial for new subscribers • Payment is charged to your Apple Account at the end of the free trial, or at confirmation of purchase if no trial applies • The subscription renews automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period • Manage or cancel any time in your Apple Account settings • Any unused portion of a free trial is forfeited when you purchase a subscription Privacy Policy: https://liberatelighting.com/privacy-policy/ Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

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

m4 screens
StageTools4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: StageTools at free with in-app purchases against m's subscription. StageTools also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 2 months) and ratings volume (3 vs 1). On price, rating, ads 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. m sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per year and StageTools sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for m against 5.0 for StageTools. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 3 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

m ships an update every 2 months, StageTools every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 19, 2026 and October 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 6 level
m versus StageTools: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParametermStageTools
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings)5.0 (3 ratings)
Number of ratings13 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationSubscriptionFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple TV — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size6 MB87 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLawrence Anthony WareX0 Lighting Control Inc.

In-app purchases

2 purchases

m

Subscriptions1
  • 365 Days Access to m-BER app3 Days trial$4.991 Year
One-time1
  • Access m-BER app Lifetime$9.99
2 purchases

StageTools

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

Questions

Is m free?
m is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is StageTools free?
StageTools is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, m or StageTools?
m and StageTools are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 1 and 3 ratings respectively.
Do m or StageTools have ads?
Neither m nor StageTools shows ads.
Which is updated more often, m or StageTools?
m ships an update every 2 months, and StageTools every 2 weeks. Most recently, m was updated on October 19, 2026 and StageTools on October 3, 2026.

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