Comparison

Good Light Meter vs LightMeter Express

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

Head to head
About

Good Light Meter

Features
Read full description

Good Light Meter is a simple film light meter app that transforms your smartphone into a professional exposure tool. Using your device's camera, it calculates the Exposure Value (EV) in real time and offers accurate recommendations for aperture, ISO, and shutter speed. Whether you’re shooting on film or working digitally, this app makes it easy to achieve the ideal exposure.

About

LightMeter Express

This tool transforms your iPhone into a professional light meter for photography. It offers accurate exposure readings with real-time calculations for aperture, shutter speed, and ISO, supporting various camera settings and providing exposure compensation.

Highlights
  • Real-time light metering
  • Precise exposure calculations
  • Support for standard camera settings
  • Exposure value (EV) display
  • Spot metering (Pro feature)
  • Live histogram (Pro feature)
Read full description

LightMeter Express - Professional Camera Tool Transform your iPhone into a precision light meter for film and digital photography. Get accurate exposure readings with an intuitive interface designed for photographers who demand professional-grade metering capabilities. CORE FEATURES (FREE): • Real-time light metering using your device's camera • Precise aperture, shutter speed, and ISO calculations • Support for all standard camera settings • Clean, professional interface optimized for quick readings • Exposure value (EV) display with compensation controls • Camera settings reference for popular film and digital cameras • Works in any lighting condition your camera can see • Intuitive haptic feedback with "full-stop" detents for exposure drag gestures PERFECT FOR: • Film photographers seeking accurate meter readings • Digital photographers wanting precise exposure control • Studio and outdoor photography • Learning proper exposure techniques • Backup metering when your camera's meter fails PRO FEATURES (One-time $0.99 purchase): • **Spot Metering** - Professional spot metering with zoomed preview for precise exposure readings from specific areas of your scene. Drag to reposition, tap to meter. Works best on iPhones with telephoto lenses for maximum precision • Custom Step Increments - Choose between 1/3, 1/2, or full stop increments for all exposure parameters to match your camera and shooting style • Live Histogram - Real-time histogram display with RGB channel analysis for precise exposure evaluation and highlight/shadow monitoring • Preview Compensation - See exposure compensation effects directly in the camera preview to visualize over/under exposure before shooting • Custom Limits - Set personalized aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and exposure compensation limits to match your specific camera gear and preferences • Black & White Preview - Turn the camera preview into a grayscale image for helping with B&W photography The free version provides full light metering functionality suitable for most photography needs. Pro features add advanced customization and analysis tools for professional and enthusiast photographers. TECHNICAL NOTES: • Requires camera access to function as a light meter • All processing happens locally on your device • No internet connection required • Compatible with iPhone • Spot metering optimized for devices with multiple camera lenses PRIVACY: Light Meter respects your privacy. Camera data is processed locally and never stored or transmitted. No personal information is collected.

Screenshots

Good Light Meter1 screens
LightMeter Express4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Good Light Meter at none against LightMeter Express's 1. LightMeter Express's advantage is update cadence (daily vs every 2 days). On price, 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

Both are free to download. LightMeter Express sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Good Light Meter asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Good Light Meter ships an update every 2 days, LightMeter Express daily. The most recent releases landed on September 9, 2026 and July 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Good Light Meter versus LightMeter Express: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGood Light MeterLightMeter Express
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (8 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—87.5% of reviews
Number of ratings—8 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 daysDaily — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
Monetization—Free with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS18.117.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size1 MB4 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperIACTA, LLC.Digitaino LLC

In-app purchases

None

Good Light Meter

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

LightMeter Express

One-time1
  • Light Meter Pro$2.99

Questions

Is Good Light Meter free?
Good Light Meter is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is LightMeter Express free?
LightMeter Express is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Good Light Meter or LightMeter Express have ads?
Neither Good Light Meter nor LightMeter Express shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Good Light Meter or LightMeter Express?
Good Light Meter ships an update every 2 days, and LightMeter Express daily. Most recently, Good Light Meter was updated on September 9, 2026 and LightMeter Express on July 4, 2026.

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