Crank vs LightStop
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side β with what reviewers say about each.
Crank
Read full descriptionHide 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 dataβall 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, weβve 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.
LightStop
Read full descriptionHide 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 2β4 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
Verdict
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
Both are free to download. LightStop sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month. Crank asks for nothing beyond the download.
| Parameter | Crank | LightStop |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Update frequency | β | Fortnightly |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No β better | Yes |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod β better |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 14.0.0 β better |
| Further details β not scored | ||
| Size | 32 MB | 40 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | kaat media ltd | Albert Bove Gracia |
In-app purchases
Crank
No in-app purchases
LightStop
- LightStop Pro Monthly7 Days trial$6.991 Month
- LightStop Pro Yearly7 Days trial$49.991 Year








