# PinGuy vs Datacolor ColorReader

The clearest difference is review sentiment: PinGuy at 84% against Datacolor ColorReader's 25%. PinGuy also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 4). Datacolor ColorReader's advantage is rating (4.7 vs 4.1) and ratings volume (699 vs 25). On price, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Datacolor ColorReader sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. PinGuy asks for nothing beyond the download.

Datacolor ColorReader holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Datacolor ColorReader has 699 ratings behind it against 25, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 84% of PinGuy's written reviews are positive against 25% of Datacolor ColorReader's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | PinGuy | Datacolor ColorReader |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.1 (25 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pinguy/id782973821/reviews) | **[4.7 (699 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/datacolor-colorreader/id1217566816/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 25 | **699** |
| Positive reviews | **84.0% of reviews** | 25.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 2 MB | 34 MB |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | 13 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Nadine Weishaeupl](https://appshunter.io/developer/782973824) | [Datacolor Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/432310628) |

## What reviewers say

### PinGuy

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pinguy/id782973821)

Achieve perfect pinball machine leveling with this app. Calibrate your device, place it on the playfield to align legs using visual markers, and ensure optimal play. It also supports leveling on the glass pane after setup.

**Highlights:** iPhone calibration for zero point, Playfield leg alignment markers, Visual guide for leg adjustment, Glass leveling mode, Real-time alignment check

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Datacolor ColorReader

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/datacolor-colorreader/id1217566816)

This app helps professionals and DIYers accurately match paint colors from walls or objects to popular paint brands. It provides color values and recommendations, saving time and ensuring job quality.

**Highlights:** Accurate paint color matching (>90%), Matches to uploaded fan decks, Build, save, and share color palettes, Color measurement history, Color scheme recommendations, Get paint brand color name and number, Provides RGB, Hex, CIELab values

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| NCS Colour (monthly) | $9.99 | per month |
| British Standards (monthly) | $14.99 | per month |
| NCS Colour (yearly) | $89.99 | per year |
| British Standards (yearly) | $149.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🎨 Accurate color matching on ceiling colors
- 📚 Comprehensive paint brand library
- ⚡ Quick and efficient scanning process
- 🎯 Useful complementary color schemes
- 👍 Minimal app permissions required

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent connection failures between device and app
- ❌ Poor color accuracy on walls and samples
- 📵 App requires device connection to view saved colors
- 🔄 Outdated and missing paint colors in library
- 🎨 Inconsistent results across different lighting conditions

**Reported bugs**

- Blank page on device registration
- White screen during app startup
- Calibration failed error messages
- Device won't connect to smartphone
- Bluetooth connectivity issues requiring multiple attempts

**Requested features**

- Store scanned colors on phone without device connection
- Cloud sync for color history across devices
- Tutorial or guided walkthrough for app navigation
- Ability to delete individual colors from history
- Reorder colors within custom palettes


## Frequently asked questions

### Is PinGuy free?

PinGuy is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Datacolor ColorReader free?

Datacolor ColorReader is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, PinGuy or Datacolor ColorReader?

Datacolor ColorReader is rated higher. PinGuy averages 4.1 out of 5 from 25 ratings, while Datacolor ColorReader averages 4.7 from 699 ratings.

### Do PinGuy or Datacolor ColorReader have ads?

Neither PinGuy nor Datacolor ColorReader shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, PinGuy or Datacolor ColorReader?

PinGuy ships an update every 2 months, and Datacolor ColorReader every 2 months. Most recently, PinGuy was updated on October 8, 2026 and Datacolor ColorReader on October 14, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*