Comparison

ARSound3D vs Lightstick Controller

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

Head to head
About

ARSound3D

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【Main Features】 ・Apple Watch support ・Repeat playback ・VoiceOver support ・English support ・Text input / speech ・Camera text scanning ・Barcode / QR code scanning ・In-app purchase to remove ads ―― About This App ―― ARSound3D is a spatial media player that lets you place your own music, video, and photo files in AR or virtual space. With its custom-tuned audio engine, ARSound3D supports spatial audio and 3D sound. Music and videos placed in space feel more immersive than ordinary playback. ARSound3D also supports text input and speech. You can enter text manually or scan text with the camera, then have it read aloud using Apple’s built-in TTS. Speech audio can be played from the front, right, left, or back, creating a spatial speech experience. Use your photos, music, videos, text, and code information to design your own space of sound, visuals, and words. Create your own immersive media space by placing sound, video, images, and speech around you. ARSound3D is useful not only for music playback, but also for background listening, study, creative recording, and social media content creation. You can capture your AR scenes with video recording or screenshots, making it easy to save and share your spatial media experience. ―― Main Features ―― • Custom-tuned high-quality audio playback • Dynamic spatial playback for mono audio sources    Sound moves through space in response to camera movement.    ※ Audio is played in mono. • Spatial stereo playback    Left and right audio can be separated and placed in space.    The sound source is fixed, creating a wider stereo experience.    ※ The sound position is fixed and does not move dynamically. • Text input / speech    Entered text can be read aloud using Apple’s built-in TTS.    Speech can play from the front, right, left, or back. • Camera text scanning    Scan text with the camera and insert it into the text input field.    Scanned text can be copied or read aloud. • Barcode / QR code scanning    Supports JAN / EAN, QR codes, book codes, Code39, Code128,    DataMatrix, PDF417, and some GS1-related codes.    Scanned content can be displayed and copied as text.    ※ Some codes may not be read correctly depending on the device,     print quality, and capture conditions. • Background playback and Apple Watch support    Music can continue playing while using other apps or when the screen is locked.    Playback, pause, next/previous track, and repeat controls are available from iPhone, Lock Screen, and Apple Watch. • Wired earphones recommended, with Bluetooth support    Wired earphones are recommended for the best spatial audio experience.    Bluetooth earphones are also supported. • Freely place photos, videos, and music files in AR / virtual space • Selfie AR support and camera switching • Simple UI with operation guides • Video recording and screenshot features • Earn points by watching ads    Basic features can be used for free.    An in-app purchase is available to remove ads. ―― Notes ―― ※ This app does not support web streaming playback.  Please prepare music, video, and image files stored on your device. ※ The code scanning feature is a general-purpose aid for reading barcodes and QR codes.  Some codes may not be read correctly depending on the device, print quality, and capture conditions. ―― Requirements ―― This app supports devices with an A14 Bionic chip or later, or an M-series chip. Examples: iPhone 12 or later, iPhone SE (3rd generation), iPad Air (4th generation) or later, iPad (10th generation) or later, iPad mini (6th generation) or later, iPad Pro with M1 chip or later. The app may not work properly on unsupported devices.

About

Lightstick Controller

Control BLE lightsticks with your smartphone. Customize colors, create synchronized light shows to music, and manage multiple devices. Features include real-time color selection, various lighting patterns, and advanced score editing for dynamic performances.

Highlights
  • Real-time color wheel and HEX input
  • Adjustable lighting patterns (blink, fade, pulse)
  • Create and sync light shows to music
  • Control two lightsticks independently
  • Automatic score generation from music
  • Setlists for full concert performances
  • Music reactive color and brightness changes
Features
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Control BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) lightsticks (penlights) from your smartphone. Pick colors, build light shows synced to your songs, and even run two lightsticks on separate lines — all in one app. ■ Real-time color wheel Drag the color wheel to pick a color, and your lightstick changes instantly. HEX input, 12 preset colors and favorites are supported, and brightness goes from 0 to 100%. "Rainbow" keeps the colors flowing without picking one. ■ Lighting patterns Off, Solid, Blink, Fade In, Fade Out, Pulse, Inverse Pulse and clap patterns (PPP / Pa-pan), with adjustable cycle time. Two-Color Mode alternates between two colors. ■ Scores for automatic light shows Build color changes on a timeline as a "score": set the color, brightness, pattern and length of each cue, then play the show with one tap. Work in seconds, or by BPM and note values. Copy and paste cues, repeat groups, pause and jump during playback, and add a start delay with a countdown beep. ■ Two lightsticks on separate lines (Plus) Connect two lightsticks and give each its own show with a score's Line 1 and Line 2. Swap which one is Line 1 on the connection screen; playback shows both colors and timelines side by side. Single-line scores send the same show to every connected lightstick. ■ Play in sync with music (Plus) Link a song from your music library to a score to play music and lights in sync. "Check BPM" analyzes the whole song for its exact tempo, which you can apply to the score. ■ Auto-generate scores from music (Plus) Analyze a song to create a light show that follows its structure. Choose the range to analyze, then edit the result in the editor. ■ Setlists for full shows (Plus) Arrange scores in song order as a "setlist" and play a whole concert automatically, with adjustable gaps between scores. ■ Music Reactive Analyzes music in real time as it plays and changes your lightstick's color and brightness to its frequencies and beats. * Song analysis (Check BPM, auto-generation, Music Reactive) works only with songs that are not DRM-protected, so Apple Music streaming tracks cannot be analyzed. ■ Share scores Export scores as JSON files to share them (export requires Plus). Importing works on the free plan too (up to 30 seconds). Two-line scores require version 1.10 or later. ■ Supported devices - FRUITS ZIPPER OFFICIAL FAN LIGHT - KING BLADE X10 V (Color Tuning Mode) - Other BLE-compatible lightsticks (auto-detection available) Unlisted devices may also work: auto-detection tests command patterns to find one that fits. ■ Free features - Connect and control one lightstick (including Rainbow) - Lighting patterns - Create and edit scores (up to 5, 30 seconds each) - Create and edit BPM-mode scores - Music Reactive ■ Subscription - Plus: ¥100/month in Japan (local pricing elsewhere, shown before purchase), with a 2-week free trial - Unlocks two lightsticks on separate lines, setlists, unlimited scores (no length limit), score export, music-synced playback with Check BPM, and auto-generated scores - The free trial converts to a paid subscription when it ends - Payment is charged to your Apple ID at confirmation of purchase - Renews automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period - Manage or cancel in the Settings app > Apple ID > Subscriptions Note: - This app is not an official app of any lightstick manufacturer - A BLE-compatible lightstick is required separately - Compatibility with all BLE lightsticks is not guaranteed Terms of Use (EULA): https://lscon.pages.dev/en/terms.html Privacy Policy: https://lscon.pages.dev/en/privacy.html

Screenshots

ARSound3D4 screens
Lightstick Controller4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Lightstick Controller at none against ARSound3D's shown. Lightstick Controller also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 3 weeks) and iOS requirement (15.1 vs 18.2). On price, in-app purchases and device support 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. ARSound3D sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Lightstick Controller sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $0.49 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ARSound3D ships an update every 3 weeks, Lightstick Controller weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 6 level
ARSound3D versus Lightstick Controller: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterARSound3DLightstick Controller
PriceFreeFree
Rating—1.0 (1 ratings) — better
Number of ratings—1 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksWeekly — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
Monetization—Freemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple WatchiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS18.215.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size19 MB44 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperKengo Matsumotomitsutoshi yonezawa

In-app purchases

1 purchases

ARSound3D

One-time1
  • Remove Ads$3.99
1 purchases

Lightstick Controller

Subscriptions1
  • Single Plan14 Days trial$0.491 Month

Questions

Is ARSound3D free?
ARSound3D is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Lightstick Controller free?
Lightstick Controller is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do ARSound3D or Lightstick Controller have ads?
ARSound3D shows ads; Lightstick Controller does not.
Which is updated more often, ARSound3D or Lightstick Controller?
ARSound3D ships an update every 3 weeks, and Lightstick Controller weekly. Most recently, ARSound3D was updated on October 30, 2026 and Lightstick Controller on November 5, 2026.

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