Comparison

Kelvin vs PhoMeter

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

Head to head
About

Kelvin

This app measures real-time color temperature using your device's camera white balance sensor, eliminating the need for gray cards. It offers features like a gel calculator, color history logging, and white balance lock for accurate light source matching.

Highlights
  • Real-time color temperature measurement
  • Uses camera white balance sensor
  • Gel calculator for CTO/CTB
  • Color history logging
  • White balance lock
  • Accurate light source matching
Features
Read full description

Kelvin reads your camera's white balance sensor to measure color temperature in real time — no gray cards, no guesswork. Unlike apps that sample pixels from a photo, Kelvin taps into your device's auto white balance hardware for fast, accurate CCT readings from 2000K to 10000K. PRO FEATURES - Gel Calculator — instantly find the right CTO/CTB gel to shift between any two color temperatures - Color History — log and compare readings across locations - White Balance Lock — freeze the sensor for consistent measurement BUILT FOR SET Designed for gaffers, DPs, and photographers who need to match light sources without carrying a dedicated meter. Reads the sensor, not the screen. Privacy Policy: https://flutterwithchris.github.io/kelvin-meter-legal/privacy.html Terms of Service: https://flutterwithchris.github.io/kelvin-meter-legal/terms.html

About

PhoMeter

Features
Read full description

PhoMeter is a simple white balance meter for photographers, videographers, and creators. Use your iPhone camera to estimate the color temperature of your lighting in Kelvin and get a practical Tint indication for green/magenta correction. PhoMeter helps you choose a better white balance setting before shooting photos or videos. Point your camera toward a neutral surface or grey card, wait for the reading to stabilize, then lock and save the measurement. Main features: Live color temperature reading in Kelvin Tint indication for green/magenta white balance correction Stability indicator for more reliable readings Lock measurement before saving Add an optional note to each saved reading Measurement history Clean and fast interface for on-set use Useful for: Photo shoots Video productions Interviews Product photography Studio lighting setup LED light comparison Checking mixed lighting environments PhoMeter is designed as a practical white balance reference tool. It is not a professional spectrometer and does not measure CRI, TLCI, SSI, or full light spectrum data. For best results, measure using a neutral grey card or matte white reference under the light you want to evaluate.

Screenshots

Kelvin3 screens
PhoMeter3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: PhoMeter at none against Kelvin's 2. PhoMeter also leads on update cadence (every 4 days vs every 4 months). Kelvin's advantage is iOS requirement (13.0 vs 26.4). On price, ads 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. Kelvin sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $12.99 per year. PhoMeter asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Kelvin ships an update every 4 months, PhoMeter every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Kelvin versus PhoMeter: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterKelvinPhoMeter
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.0 — better26.4
Further details — not scored
Size35 MB7 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperChristian VergaraAndrea Biancat

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Kelvin

Subscriptions1
  • Kelvin Meter Pro7 Days trial$12.991 Year
One-time1
  • Kelvin Meter Pro (Lifetime)$49.99
None

PhoMeter

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Kelvin free?
Kelvin is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is PhoMeter free?
PhoMeter is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Kelvin or PhoMeter have ads?
Neither Kelvin nor PhoMeter shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Kelvin or PhoMeter?
Kelvin ships an update every 4 months, and PhoMeter every 4 days. Most recently, Kelvin was updated on November 6, 2026 and PhoMeter on November 9, 2026.

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