Light Meter vs Candela
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Light Meter
This tool precisely measures light intensity in Lux and Footcandles, offering data for photography, plant care, and environmental analysis. It provides photography recommendations and generates data reports for various applications.
- Multi-mode metering system
- Real-time color temperature capture
- Photography decision engine
- Plant cultivation light monitoring
- Space optimization analysis
- Data report generation
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This is a high-precision light measurement tool that combines professional metering technology with cross scene adaptation capabilities, providing data support for photography creation, plant research, and environmental optimization. Core functional architecture • Multi mode metering system - Real time capture of color temperature changes and synchronized display of dual unit values of Lux and Fc, supporting dynamic average and peak recording • Photography Decision Engine - Based on ambient light intensity, it intelligently recommends shutter speed, ISO, and aperture combinations, allowing manual adjustment of parameters to achieve personalized exposure control Cross disciplinary analysis tools *Plant cultivation: Monitoring photosynthetically active radiation to ensure optimal growth light conditions *Space optimization: Diagnosing office/home lighting environments and preventing visual fatigue Technical characteristics and value √ Adopting multi-sensor collaborative algorithm, with an error rate lower than industry standards √ Portable use on mobile devices, replacing traditional professional equipment to reduce costs √ Generate data reports and support customized archiving of lighting schemes Redefining the Dimension of Light Control from Lens to Leaves "- Recommended Tool for Photography and Plant Science in 2025 1. Payment: The user deducts the payment through their iTunes account and makes the payment upon confirmation of the purchase 2. Renewal: The user's iTunes account will be charged within 24 hours before expiration, increasing the corresponding subscription period 3. Cancel Renewal: To cancel the renewal, go to "iTunes Store and App Store" ->click on "App ID", enter the "Account Settings" page, click on "Subscription", and select "Cancel Subscription" 4. Privacy Agreement and Service Terms: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1nONXGfXZcKQ6xEDwxsVuXdxZGoxmut4_i64fmeCuWhE 5. Terms of Use: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TpnftZ9iV5KYd_4xqYNkfYs-8Zt9nWXMU_UHLMbype8
Candela
This utility app transforms your iPhone camera into a versatile light meter. It provides real-time readings for illuminance, exposure value, and color temperature, catering to photography, plant care, and room lighting needs. The app prioritizes user privacy with on-device processing and no data collection.
- Live illuminance (lux/foot-candles)
- Exposure Value (EV) and exposure triangle solver
- Color temperature readout
- Plant light conversion (PPFD, DLI)
- Room lighting recommendations
- On-device calibration
- Spot saving and history
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Candela turns the camera into a genuinely useful light meter. Point your iPhone and read the light around you — live illuminance in lux or foot-candles, exposure value (EV), and color temperature in Kelvin — on one beautiful instrument with a camera-iris dial that opens and closes with the light. One meter, three jobs: PHOTO / FILM • Live EV at ISO 100, plus a full exposure-triangle solver — lock any two of ISO, aperture, and shutter and Candela computes the third. • Color temperature readout for white balance. • Perfect for film shooters, manual photographers, and anyone learning exposure. PLANT • Convert measured light into PPFD and a projected Daily Light Integral (DLI) for the hours your plant gets light. • Instantly see whether a windowsill is deep shade, low, medium, bright-indirect, or direct sun — with example plants for each level. • Stop guessing why your monstera is leggy. ROOM / WELLBEING • Compare a spot against recommended light levels for reading, kitchen work, an office desk, and more. • A clear verdict — too dim, comfortable, or bright — plus a color-temperature note for evening, sleep-friendly lighting. Built for trust: • Calibrate to any reference in one tap so your readings match a meter you trust. • Lux or foot-candles, your choice. • Save a "spot" to remember a reading, with a tidy history. • A built-in Guide explains plant light needs, room standards, and a photographer's EV chart. Private by design: • Everything runs on your device. Camera frames are analyzed live and are never saved, photographed, or sent anywhere. • No account. No tracking. No ads. Data Not Collected. A note on accuracy: a phone camera is a reflected/scene light meter, so readings are a well-calibrated estimate rather than a laboratory instrument. For incident-style readings, meter off a neutral gray card. Calibration lets you dial Candela in to a reference.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Light Meter at 3.6 against Candela's 2.0. Light Meter also leads on ratings volume (15 vs 1) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.0). Candela's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3). 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
Both are free to download. Light Meter sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $9.00 per 7 days. Candela asks for nothing beyond the download.
Light Meter holds the better App Store score, 3.6 against 2.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Light Meter has 15 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.
| Parameter | Light Meter | Candela |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.6 (15 ratings) — better | 2.0 (1 ratings) |
| Number of ratings | 15 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | — |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 13 MB | 4 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | 琦 崔 | Snizhana Babytska |
In-app purchases
Light Meter
- Weekly membership3 Days trial$9.007 Days
- Annual Membership$14.99
- Lifetime membership$29.99
Candela
No in-app purchases









