Comparison

s vs StageTools

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

Head to head
About

s

Features
Read full description

sNIF is a pocket sACN (E1.31) troubleshooter for lighting designers, programmers and technicians. Join the production network and see who's sending what, which sender is winning, and exactly what levels your fixtures are receiving. FIND EVERY SENDER • Lists every console, computer and node that announces itself with sACN Universe Discovery • One row per universe, grouped by sender, with name and IP address • Senders that drop off stay listed as Offline, so a dropout never goes unnoticed • Flags when a sender changes IP address, or when a new device shows up at an old address after a reset or swap CATCH CONFLICTS BEFORE THE SHOW • Yellow warning: two senders share a universe at different priorities (normal for a backup) • Red conflict: two senders share a universe at the same priority, which makes lights flicker or merge • A Conflicts tab gathers every shared universe in one place, with each sender's priority SEE WHAT THE LIGHTS SEE • Universe output: the levels a receiver actually uses, with lower-priority senders ignored • Selected sender: one sender's levels on their own, even at a lower priority • When senders tie, sNIF shows each in turn and flags the channels where they disagree • All 512 channels with 3-digit values, updated live • FLEXI hides runs of empty channels so active ones stand out TROUBLESHOOTING DETAILS • Priority, packet rate, channel count, and lost and out-of-order packets for every sender • Winning, Tied, Ignored and Stale status at a glance • Your iPhone or iPad's IP address, subnet mask and gateway, with a warning when a sender is on a different subnet • Manual universe entry for senders that don't announce themselves, filling in automatically when data arrives EASY TO LEARN • A built-in Glossary explains every term in one plain sentence • Works on iPhone and iPad, in portrait and landscape sNIF only listens. It never sends data, so it's safe to use on a live show network. Requires a Wi-Fi network that passes sACN multicast traffic. Powered by Liberate Lighting.

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

s3 screens
StageTools4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: StageTools at Free against s's $4.99. StageTools also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 20 months). s's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2). On ads, device support and iOS requirement 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

StageTools is free to download; s costs $4.99 up front. StageTools sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. s asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

s ships an update every 20 months, StageTools every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 19, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 6 level
s versus StageTools: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParametersStageTools
Price$4.99Free — better
Rating—5.0 (4 ratings) — better
Number of ratings—4 — better
Update frequencyEvery 20 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
Monetization—Free with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18.217.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size7 MB87 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLawrence Anthony WareX0 Lighting Control Inc.

In-app purchases

None

s

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

StageTools

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

Questions

Is s free?
s costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is StageTools free?
StageTools is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do s or StageTools have ads?
Neither s nor StageTools shows ads.
Which is updated more often, s or StageTools?
s ships an update every 20 months, and StageTools every 2 weeks. Most recently, s was updated on October 19, 2026 and StageTools on October 24, 2026.

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