Comparison

Lightstick Controller vs PenlaSync

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

Head to head
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
Read full description

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

About

PenlaSync

Features
Read full description

Your iPhone is about to become the brightest thing at the concert. Right after your favorite artist. PenlaSync turns your phone into a powerful, BPM-synced penlight for concerts, live events, and fan meetups. No forgotten glow sticks. No wrong colors. Just pure, perfectly timed light for the artist you love. --- WHY FANS LOVE PENLASYNC --- BEAT-SYNCED FLASH PATTERNS Set your BPM and choose from 4 light modes: Solid, Flash, Fade, and Strobe. Your light pulses with the music, creating that stadium-wide wave of color that gives everyone chills. 8 QUICK COLORS + CUSTOM PICKER Tap to switch between 8 preset colors instantly. Need your bias's exact member color? The custom color picker lets you match it down to the pixel. SAVE COLOR PRESETS Create and save color profiles for different artists, groups, or songs. When the setlist changes, you're ready in a single tap. BRIGHTNESS CONTROL Dial it down during the MC segment. Crank it up for the encore. You're in full control of your light, your way. --- PERFECT FOR --- - K-pop concerts and fan events - J-pop and idol live shows - Music festivals and arena tours - Fan meetups and viewing parties - Theater, musicals, and stage events - Anyone who forgot their glow stick at home --- THE CONCERT EXPERIENCE YOU DESERVE --- There's nothing like being part of a sea of light, thousands of fans moving together in perfect rhythm for the artist they love. PenlaSync puts that power in your pocket. No batteries to replace. No bulky gear to carry. Just open the app, pick your color, set your BPM, and light up the night. Your light. Their stage. One unforgettable moment.

Screenshots

Lightstick Controller4 screens
PenlaSync4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: PenlaSync at none against Lightstick Controller's 1. Lightstick Controller's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and device support (3 vs 1). On price and update cadence 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. Lightstick Controller sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $0.49 per month. PenlaSync asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Lightstick Controller ships an update weekly, PenlaSync fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 18, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 5 level
Lightstick Controller versus PenlaSync: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLightstick ControllerPenlaSync
PriceFreeFree
Rating1.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyWeekly — betterFortnightly
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.1 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size44 MB6 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developermitsutoshi yonezawaBYNET

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Lightstick Controller

Subscriptions1
  • Single Plan14 Days trial$0.491 Month
None

PenlaSync

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Lightstick Controller free?
Lightstick Controller is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is PenlaSync free?
PenlaSync is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Lightstick Controller or PenlaSync have ads?
PenlaSync shows ads; Lightstick Controller does not.
Which is updated more often, Lightstick Controller or PenlaSync?
Lightstick Controller ships an update weekly, and PenlaSync fortnightly. Most recently, Lightstick Controller was updated on October 20, 2026 and PenlaSync on October 18, 2026.

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