Comparison

Light Meter vs Lux Meter

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • Multi-mode metering system
  • Real-time color temperature capture
  • Photography decision engine
  • Plant cultivation light monitoring
  • Space optimization analysis
  • Data report generation
Features
Read full description

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

About

Lux Meter

This tool transforms your iPhone into a professional light meter, measuring illuminance in lux and foot-candles in real-time. It offers exposure calculations, color temperature estimates, and various presets for different use cases, all while working offline and without ads.

Highlights
  • Real-time lux and foot-candle readout
  • Exposure Value (EV) calculation
  • Color temperature (CCT) estimate
  • Spot or average metering
  • Use-case presets
  • CSV export of readings
  • 100% offline functionality
Features
Read full description

Lux Meter turns your iPhone into a professional light meter. Using the camera and the ISO 2720 photographic standard, it measures illuminance in lux and foot-candles in real time. Whether you're setting up studio lighting, checking your desk for eye comfort, dialing in grow lights for your plants or metering a film scene, Lux Meter gives you the numbers the pros rely on. MEASURE • Real-time lux and foot-candle readout with a one-tap unit switch • Exposure Value (EV) and color temperature (CCT in Kelvin) • Spot metering on a reticle in the middle of the camera view, or average metering of the whole frame • Live histogram, min / max / average and a live chart • A/B compare: pin a reading as the reference and see the difference in EV and percent • Lock a reading, and a low-light path that reads below 1 lux ROOM SURVEY (Premium) • Measure a grid of points across a room and see it as a heat map • Average, minimum, maximum and uniformity (U₀), checked against workplace targets for offices, classrooms, workshops, retail and corridors, or your own target • Share the result as a PDF report EXPOSURE CALCULATOR • Set two of aperture, shutter and ISO — it solves the third • ND filter, exposure compensation and a Sunny 16 helper • Cinema mode with frame rate, shutter angle and the 180° rule, plus a depth-of-field calculator (Premium) GROW LIGHT (Premium) • Turn a reading into PPFD and Daily Light Integral (DLI) for sunlight, LED, HPS, metal-halide or fluorescent light • Photoperiod setting and a light guide for low- to high-light plants TARGETS & FEEDBACK • Presets for reading, office, photography, film, plants and aquariums • Target band with an in-range indicator • Optional haptic and audio meter tick that speeds up as the light gets brighter CALIBRATION • Separate calibration for the front and back cameras, with raw and calibrated values side by side • Manual multiplier, plus multi-point calibration across the whole range (Premium) HISTORY & REPORTS • Save single readings or record the light over time, with notes and an optional location tag • Chart and statistics for every recording • PDF reports and CSV export (Premium) LUX METER PREMIUM A one-time purchase, no subscription. Unlocks Room Survey, PDF reports, unlimited history and recording time, CSV export, multi-point calibration, Grow Light, cinema mode and depth of field. MORE • 11 languages with instant in-app switching • Dark design with a light mode, grid overlay, brightness pin and keep-awake A note on accuracy: iOS does not give apps access to the ambient light sensor, so Lux Meter uses camera-based reflective metering (ISO 2720). For the best results, calibrate once against a reference meter. Measure light like a pro. Download Lux Meter.

Screenshots

Light Meter4 screens
Lux Meter4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Lux Meter at 4.5 against Light Meter's 3.6. Lux Meter also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 6 weeks). Light Meter's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.0). On price, ratings volume, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. Light Meter sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $9.00 per 7 days and Lux Meter sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Lux Meter holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 15 and 6 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Light Meter ships an update every 6 weeks, Lux Meter weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and October 29, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Light Meter versus Lux Meter: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLight MeterLux Meter
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.6 (15 ratings)4.5 (6 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—50.0% of reviews
Number of ratings15 — better6
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksWeekly — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size13 MB9 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer琦 崔Alper Sumer Guc

Customer experience

Light Meter

All ratings4 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

Lux Meter

All ratings6 ratings
Positive83.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative16.7%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Light Meter

Subscriptions1
  • Weekly membership3 Days trial$9.007 Days
One-time2
  • Annual Membership$14.99
  • Lifetime membership$29.99
1 purchases

Lux Meter

One-time1
  • Lux Meter Premium$2.99

Questions

Is Light Meter free?
Light Meter is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Lux Meter free?
Lux Meter is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Light Meter or Lux Meter?
Lux Meter is rated higher. Light Meter averages 3.6 out of 5 from 15 ratings, while Lux Meter averages 4.5 from 6 ratings.
Do Light Meter or Lux Meter have ads?
Lux Meter shows ads; Light Meter does not.
Which is updated more often, Light Meter or Lux Meter?
Light Meter ships an update every 6 weeks, and Lux Meter weekly. Most recently, Light Meter was updated on October 25, 2026 and Lux Meter on October 29, 2026.

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