Comparison

Crank vs LightStop

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

Head to head
About

Crank

Features
Read full description

The professional technical standard for high-speed cinematography. Crank is the definitive technical utility for camera departments, designed by industry professionals for DITs, ACs, and Cinematographers. Built for high-pressure environments, Crank provides absolute precision for off-speed frame rates, exposure compensation, and technical camera dataβ€”all in a sleek, offline-capable interface. Whether you are matching motion blur between project frame rates or modeling complex ND stacks on a remote location, Crank ensures your technical decisions are made with absolute confidence. KEY FEATURES: 1. ADVANCED OFF-SPEED ANALYTICS Eliminate technical uncertainty when shooting off-speed. Quickly determine the relationship between Sensor FPS and Project FPS. Multiples Mode: Instantly view common speed ratios (2x, 3x, 4x, etc.). Reverse Lookup: Find the exact sensor frame rate needed to hit a specific speed target. 2. PRECISION EXPOSURE ENGINE Master your light with dedicated exposure modeling tailored for cinematography. Exposure Compensation: Determine T-stop adjustments when changing frame rates or shutter angles. ND Filter Stepper: Manage neutral density stacks with ease, converting between Optical Density, ND numbers, and Stop reductions. Visual Shutter Angle: Use the interactive visualizer to understand effective motion blur geometry and shutter speed relationships. 3. PROFESSIONAL CAMERA DATABASE A comprehensive, searchable library of professional camera specifications at your fingertips. Detailed Specs: Access sensor dimensions, base ISOs, mount types, and dynamic range. Format & Frame Rates: Check maximum frame rates across different codecs (ARRIRAW, ProRes) and resolutions. Supported Models: Includes up-to-date data for ARRI (Alexa 35, Mini LF, etc.) and other industry-standard systems. 4. ON-SET UTILITY SUITE Setup Card Export: Generate and share technical camera setup cards with your department via a single tap. Job Presets: Save recurring project settings (Base FPS, ISO, Shutter) for instant recall on different shows. Offline First: No signal? No problem. All core technical features and database tools work entirely offline. WHY CRANK? Crank is a specialized workflow utility. By focusing on the specific needs of the camera department, we’ve removed the clutter found in generic apps to give you the fastest, most reliable path to the technical data you need on set. Built by Emin Atilgan GBCT and Joe Dibble DIT.

About

LightStop

Read full description

LightStop is a professional lighting calculator built for cinematographers, gaffers, electricians and film students. Calculate required illuminance from camera settings, check verified fixture photometrics, apply gels and diffusion, compare fixtures side by side, build your lighting truck and estimate power loads for EU and US sets. Designed for real film work, LightStop helps you understand exposure, output, distance, modifiers and power in one clean, practical tool. FEATURES β€’ Lux / foot-candle exposure calculator Calculate required light levels from ISO, frame rate, shutter angle, T-stop, ND and camera filters. β€’ Verified fixture catalog Browse real fixture photometric data from manufacturer sources and technical documentation. β€’ Fixture detail calculator Adjust distance, output mode, CCT, gels and diffusion to estimate lux, foot-candles, exposure and beam size. β€’ Estimated CCT with gels Apply CTO / CTB filters and see the estimated resulting color temperature using mired shift calculations when data is available. β€’ Compare fixtures Compare 2–4 fixtures at the same distance and modifiers, including output, T-stop, watts, beam diameter and stop difference. β€’ My Truck Create lighting packages, add fixtures, set quantities, favorites and nicknames. β€’ Power View Estimate total load, current, phases and fixture distribution for EU and US power systems, including 230V, 120V, split-phase and three-phase setups. β€’ Metric and imperial workflow Switch between meters / feet and lux / foot-candles. LightStop is made for set planning, pre-production, teaching and fast technical checks on location. NOTES Photometric values may vary depending on fixture condition, lamp age, voltage, optics, modifiers, firmware, beam angle, accessories, calibration and manufacturer measurement conditions. Power View is an estimation tool for planning only. Always confirm electrical loads, distribution and safety with a qualified electrician or gaffer according to local regulations. Terms of Use: https://lightstop.app/#terms Privacy Policy: https://lightstop.app/#privacy

Screenshots

Crank4 screens
LightStop4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Crank at none against LightStop's 2. On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price Β· Rating Β· Positive reviews Β· Number of ratings Β· Update frequency Β· Ads Β· In-app purchases Β· Monetization Β· Best chart rank Β· Devices Β· Requires iOS

CostPrice Β· In-app purchases Β· Ads Β· Monetization

Both are free to download. LightStop sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month. Crank asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard1 real difference Β· 5 level
Crank versus LightStop: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCrankLightStop
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyβ€”Fortnightly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo β€” betterYes
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod β€” better
Requires iOS15.014.0.0 β€” better
Further details β€” not scored
Size32 MB40 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developerkaat media ltdAlbert Bove Gracia

In-app purchases

None

Crank

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

LightStop

Subscriptions2
  • LightStop Pro Monthly7 Days trial$6.991 Month
  • LightStop Pro Yearly7 Days trial$49.991 Year

Questions

Is Crank free?
Crank is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is LightStop free?
LightStop is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Crank or LightStop have ads?
Neither Crank nor LightStop shows ads.

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