Comparison

ShiftCal® for Seattle Fire vs Strobe Light

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

Head to head
About

ShiftCal® for Seattle Fire

This specialized calendar app helps Seattle Fire Department members track their work shifts. It highlights debit days in a distinct color and can optionally display paydays. It is designed exclusively for shift scheduling, not general event planning.

Highlights
  • Shift calendar for fire department
  • Debit day highlighting
  • Optional payday display
  • Shift scheduling focus
  • iPhone and iPad support
Features
Read full description

ShiftCal for Seattle Fire Department is a shift calendar with full support for debit days, which are displayed in an alternate color. ShiftCal also optionally displays paydays. Note: ShiftCal is a shift calendar; it is not an event/appointment calendar.

About

Strobe Light

This application transforms your smartphone into a digital tachometer using its flashlight. It measures the rotational speed (RPM) of objects by flashing light at them, making them appear stationary when the flash rate matches their speed. Save readings and use it for mechanics, education, or industrial checks.

Highlights
  • Measures RPM of rotating objects
  • Adjustable strobe speed (1-10,000 RPM)
  • Quick adjustment buttons (+/- increments)
  • Flash sync for accuracy
  • Save and review RPM data
  • Works in low light conditions
Features
Read full description

Strobe Light - RPM turns your phone into a powerful tool for measuring the speed of rotating objects. The app works like a digital tachometer and offers two measurement modes: Strobe Light and Camera. You can measure the RPM of fans, motors, wheels, and other rotating devices without touching them. In both modes, the same stroboscopic principle is used. When the flash rate or camera frame rate matches the speed of the object, it creates the illusion that the object is standing still. This helps you visually determine the exact rotational speed of the object with high accuracy. Strobe Light Mode Using your phone's flashlight, this mode flashes light at the object in a specific pattern. It works best in a dark or low-light environment and is ideal when you want a quick RPM reading with the built-in flashlight. How to Use (Strobe Light): Mark the rotating object with something visible (a sticker or tape works well). Point your phone's flashlight toward the object. Turn on the strobe using the power button. Adjust the strobe speed using the + and - buttons until the object looks still. The RPM shown on the screen is the object's rotation speed. You can save the reading for later reference. Camera Mode Camera mode uses your phone's camera to show a live preview at a set frame rate (FPM — Frames Per Minute). When the frame rate matches the object's RPM, the rotating object appears frozen on screen. This mode is useful in well-lit conditions when you want to see the object clearly while tuning the speed. How to Use (Camera): Open Camera mode from the home screen and allow camera permission. Point the camera at the rotating object. Adjust the frame rate using the + and - buttons until the object looks still. The value shown on the screen is the object's RPM. Use the flash button if you need extra light in darker areas. Save or reset your reading anytime from the bottom buttons. Where It's Useful: Mechanics: Test fans, engines, or motors by measuring RPM. Education: Ideal for physics experiments that require RPM measurements. Industrial Use: Check the condition of rotating machinery. Calibration: Ensure rotating devices are running at the correct speed. Maintenance: Compare readings over time using saved history. Key Features: Two Measurement Modes: Choose Strobe Light or Camera from the home screen based on your environment and preference. Adjustable Strobe Speed: Set the strobe from 1 to 10,000 RPM for accurate measurements. Camera Frame Rate Control: Set camera preview from 30 to 14,400 FPM for precise visual tuning. Quick Adjustment Buttons: Easily change the speed with buttons for +1, +10, +50, or +100 RPM increments in both modes. Flash Sync (Strobe Light): Ensures the light flashes at the correct frequency for accurate RPM readings. Built-in Camera Flash (Camera Mode): Toggle the flash on or off for better visibility in low light. Save and Reset: Save current RPM readings with a custom title or reset to default anytime. History Tracking: Save and review your RPM data anytime for easy access from the menu. Works in Different Lighting: Strobe Light works best in the dark; Camera mode works well in normal and low-light conditions. Simple and Energy-Efficient: The app's interface is easy to use and designed to be practical for everyday measurements. Visual Tachometer: Acts just like a real tachometer using visual strobe techniques with your phone's flashlight or camera. Strobe Light - RPM makes it simple to measure RPM without any special tools or equipment. Whether you prefer the classic flashlight strobe method or the new live camera preview, this app gives you flexible and accurate RPM measurement in one place. Perfect for mechanics, hobbyists, students, and professionals alike. Contact us at: zsmapps2024@gmail.com Terms of use: Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

ShiftCal® for Seattle Fire4 screens
Strobe Light3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: ShiftCal® for Seattle Fire at 50% against Strobe Light's 0%. ShiftCal® for Seattle Fire also leads on rating (4.0 vs 2.0) and in-app purchases (none vs 2). Strobe Light's advantage is price (Free vs $6.99). On ratings volume, update cadence and device support 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

Strobe Light is free to download; ShiftCal® for Seattle Fire costs $6.99 up front. Strobe Light sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. ShiftCal® for Seattle Fire asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

ShiftCal® for Seattle Fire holds the better App Store score, 4.0 against 2.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 1 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 50% of ShiftCal® for Seattle Fire's written reviews are positive against 0% of Strobe Light's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ShiftCal® for Seattle Fire ships an update every 8 months, Strobe Light every 7 months. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
ShiftCal® for Seattle Fire versus Strobe Light: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterShiftCal® for Seattle FireStrobe Light
Price$6.99Free — better
Rating4.0 (2 ratings) — better2.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings2 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 8 monthsEvery 7 months — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidAd-supported — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS11.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size23 MB25 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperThomas Wesley EricksonZain Saeed Mughal

Customer experience

ShiftCal® for Seattle Fire

All ratings1 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral100.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral50.0%
Negative0.0%

Strobe Light

All ratings1 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

In-app purchases

None

ShiftCal® for Seattle Fire

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Strobe Light

Subscriptions1
  • Remove Ads$5.991 Month
One-time1
  • Remove Ads$4.99

Questions

Is ShiftCal® for Seattle Fire free?
ShiftCal® for Seattle Fire costs $6.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Strobe Light free?
Strobe Light is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, ShiftCal® for Seattle Fire or Strobe Light?
ShiftCal® for Seattle Fire is rated higher. ShiftCal® for Seattle Fire averages 4.0 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while Strobe Light averages 2.0 from 1 ratings.
Do ShiftCal® for Seattle Fire or Strobe Light have ads?
Strobe Light shows ads; ShiftCal® for Seattle Fire does not.
Which is updated more often, ShiftCal® for Seattle Fire or Strobe Light?
ShiftCal® for Seattle Fire ships an update every 8 months, and Strobe Light every 7 months. Most recently, ShiftCal® for Seattle Fire was updated on November 1, 2026 and Strobe Light on October 31, 2026.

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