Comparison

Luminair vs Sidus Link Pro

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

Head to head
About

Luminair

This professional lighting control platform offers advanced DMX and smart light management for designers, filmmakers, musicians, and artists. It supports multiple DMX universes, RDM, and HomeKit integration, allowing for complex scene creation and playback.

Highlights
  • Multi-universe DMX control
  • RDM support
  • Apple HomeKit integration
  • Fixture Cloud library
  • DMX FX Engine
  • Sound Active mode
  • Luminair Remote for Apple Watch
Features
Read full description

Luminair is a professional-grade lighting control platform that gives lighting designers, filmmakers and TV professionals, musicians, artists and other enthusiasts advanced control over DMX-enabled lights, as well as "Smart" lights via Apple HomeKit. Control any light... Luminair's Fixture Cloud library contains over 30,000 fixture profiles. Luminair 4 adds a wide range of user-requested features like multi-universe support, RDM support, user interface improvements, Universal Search, support for Apple HomeKit, and so much more. Move beyond the lighting console! Join us and see why Luminair has been setting the standard for mobile lighting control since 2008! Access all iPadOS, iOS, and macOS versions under a single subscription plan. Try it FREE for 2 weeks, with all features unlocked, and no obligation. See offer details below. Highlights: - 1 to 4 DMX Universes (512-2048 Channels, depending on Subscription level) - 1 Art-Net DMX Input Universe for creating Snapshot scene recordings from another lighting console - RDM Support over Art-Net - Works with any Art-Net or sACN E1.31 compliant DMX interface - Transmits Art-Net, sACN E1.31, and/or and KiNET over built-in Wi-Fi hardware - Supports DMX over Bluetooth with LumenRadio BLE CRMX devices, MoonLite and TimoTwo - Supports wired ethernet with 3rd-party adapters - Advanced document viewer allows you to save projects in iCloud, 3rd-party services like Creative Cloud and Dropbox, plus external disks and flash drives - LTP faders with fully-configurable scene parameters - DMX FX Engine with a Movement generator, Oscillator, Color Looping, Random Color/Intensity and more - Palette/preset based movement system allows you to control and edit movements of multiple moving lights together in unison - Sequences allow you to play back scenes with customized fade and hold times - Sound Active mode allows for music controlled light shows using the built-in microphone, or external sound sources - Innovative tap-to-bump gesture allows you to quickly bump the levels of a scene while holding it's button, releasing those levels when let go - Supports simultaneous control of DMX and HomeKit lights in the same project - Touch ID powered Lockdown mode allows you to lock specific parts of the Luminair user interface - Includes Luminair Remote for Apple Watch (on iPhone devices) - Supports various external control methods as MIDI, MIDI over Bluetooth LE and Wi-Fi, Geofences, OSC Input - Additional support for 4 Universes, Scheduling, DMX Input Triggers, iBeacons, MSC, MTC, and HomeKit Button Triggers available with Luminair Pro Subscription - 64-bit app with a scalable UI that uses the latest Apple technologies like iCloud, Core Animation, Core MIDI and more Please visit us at https://luminair.app for full details. IMPORTANT: Luminair requires external DMX or HomeKit hardware to control lights, but can also be used in an "offline" mode for building projects and as a learning tool. Access Luminair Standard or Luminair Pro with monthly or annual subscriptions. You will be automatically billed through Apple every 30 days for monthly subscriptions or every 365 days for yearly subscriptions until you cancel your subscription. The first billing will occur after the one-time free trial period of 2 weeks. Your subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. Your subscription can be managed and the auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the App Store Account Settings after purchase. No cancellation of the current subscription is allowed during active subscription period. Any unused portion of the free trial period will be forfeited when you purchase a subscription during the free trial period. Privacy Policy: https://luminair.app/privacy Terms of Use: https://luminair.app/terms

About

Sidus Link Pro

This powerful lighting control app transforms your iPad into a professional console. Wirelessly manage DMX and CRMX-enabled lights, automate setup, and design complex lighting sequences with ease. Achieve precise, real-time control for any production.

Highlights
  • Wireless DMX and CRMX control
  • Console-style lighting control on iPad
  • Visual Layout View for fixture arrangement
  • Lightning-fast auto-patching and configuration
  • Real-time cueing for DMX lights
  • Design and manage lighting shows and effects
  • Centralized control for multiple fixture manufacturers
Features
Read full description

Sidus Link Pro is a powerful lighting control workstation that runs on your iPad and Mac. Control Aputure lights wirelessly with Sidus Bluetooth and cue any DMX or CRMX-enabled light through sACN and Art-Net using the intuitive Sidus Link interface. Console-style lighting control has never been easier. ACTION PANEL Turn your cues and Quickshots into big, simple “Go” buttons for fast, confident execution. With an optional passcode lock, Action Panel makes it easy to hand control to a client, operator, or venue team. MAC SUPPORT Plan, design, and refine your lighting setup on Mac with more screen space and keyboard-and-mouse precision. EASY, POWERFUL CONSOLE-STYLE CONTROL Sidus Link Pro brings the power of a modern lighting console to your iPad and Mac without the complexity, menu diving, or manual reading. Speed is everything on set. Sidus Link Pro is built to be speedy. All of your most used functions are accessible with just a few taps. DESIGN DAZZLING SHOWS AND EFFECTS WITH REAL-TIME CUEING. Send crisp, responsive cues to your DMX-enabled fixtures at the same time, with no Bluetooth delay. Create rich, synchronized lighting changes and organize them into cue stacks with precise timing, transitions, and loops. Drag and drop to reorder with the Cue Sequence Editor. CONTROL ANY CRMX-ENABLED LIGHT Sidus Link Pro speaks DMX and wireless CRMX, the control protocol that all lights use. Centralize control of your lighting network in Sidus Link Pro, no matter the fixture manufacturer. THE CENTER OF YOUR LIGHTING ECOSYSTEM Sidus Link Pro interfaces with hardware to control fixtures with wired DMX or wireless CRMX capability. Use with any transmitter, node, or router, or partner with Sidus Hardware to unlock powerful monitoring and setup functions. Sidus Link Pro transmits lighting control protocols sACN and Art-Net. SAVE DAYS WITH 3D VISUALIZER Plan your setup in a virtual environment. Create spaces, place lights, design looks, and explore ideas before touching physical fixtures. Since 3D Visualizer is built into your control workflow, cues and DMX settings move seamlessly from planning to execution. SAVE HOURS WITH LIGHTNING FAST AUTO-PATCHING AND AUTO-CONFIGURATION Skip the setup grind. Sidus Link Pro detects your Aputure lights and reduces your setup by up to hundreds of steps. Easily update fixture settings and DMX profiles from your iPad and Mac. SAVE MINUTES WITH LAYOUT VIEW Arrange fixtures in a visual grid to match your physical set. Layout View gives you a faster, more intuitive way to organize fixtures, select the right light, and preview lighting changes in real time. STABLE, LONG-RANGE CONTROL With DMX and CRMX workflows, Sidus Link Pro maintains reliable control. When used with Aputure fixtures and Sidus Hardware, gain additional range and real-time health alerts. FREE BLUETOOTH CONTROL AND FILMMAKING TOOLS The Free plan includes Bluetooth control for Aputure and amaran lights, plus access to our full library of Light Modes, FX, Quickshots, Magic Program Pro and Go, Magic Infinity FX, and Diagram Master. OTHER FEATURES • Dial in tone with color selection methods like CCT, HSI, CCT RGB, xy, and HSIC+ • Set DMX parameters like Intensity, +/- Green, Hue, Saturation, and Variable Crossfade • Access DMX profiles, import GDTF profiles, and create your own profiles • Preview changes before taking them live with the Backstage workspace • Streamline Bluetooth control with Sidus BT View • Save and recall presets for Aputure lights with Sidus BT Quickshots • Auto-Configure, monitor, and update Aputure light firmware in the Fixture Manager • Create lighting plots and sync with your team with Diagram Master • Reference Illumination Handbook to compare fixtures and calculate output FREE TRIAL Try Sidus Link Pro with all features unlocked for 7 days with no commitment.

Screenshots

Luminair4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Luminair at 4.6 against Sidus Link Pro's 2.7. Luminair also leads on ratings volume (1.2K vs 30) and review sentiment (36% vs 22%). Sidus Link Pro's advantage is monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs subscription). On price, ads, in-app purchases and iOS requirement 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. Luminair sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month and Sidus Link Pro sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Luminair holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 2.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Luminair has 1.2K ratings behind it against 30, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 36% of Luminair's written reviews are positive against 22% of Sidus Link Pro's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Luminair ships an update fortnightly, Sidus Link Pro monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and July 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Luminair versus Sidus Link Pro: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLuminairSidus Link Pro
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (1.2K ratings) — better2.7 (30 ratings)
Positive reviews36.2% of reviews — better22.2% of reviews
Number of ratings1.2K — better30
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationSubscriptionFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple Watch — betteriPad
Requires iOS14.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size1.7 GB521 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSynthe FX, LLCSidus Link Ltd.

Customer experience

Luminair

All ratings1,172 ratings
Positive90.4%
Neutral2.8%
Negative6.8%
Written reviews196 reviews
Positive36.2%
Neutral9.7%
Negative54.1%

Sidus Link Pro

All ratings30 ratings
Positive40.0%
Neutral6.7%
Negative53.3%
Written reviews27 reviews
Positive22.2%
Neutral11.1%
Negative66.7%

Bugs and requests

Luminair

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Scenes not loading properly
  • Ethernet connectivity problems
  • Unexpected settings changes during use

Requested features

4 requests
  • Allow one-time purchase option
  • Improve fixture profile management
  • Add more advanced effects and animation
  • Enhance multi-device/project workflow

Sidus Link Pro

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

4 purchases

Luminair

Subscriptions4
  • Luminair Standard Monthly14 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • Luminair Pro Monthly14 Days trial$19.991 Month
  • Luminair Standard Yearly14 Days trial$99.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • Luminair Pro Yearly14 Days trial$199.991 Year
4 purchases

Sidus Link Pro

Subscriptions4
  • Pro (Monthly)$9.991 Month
  • Max (Monthly)$19.991 Month
  • Pro (Annual)$99.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • Max (Annual)$199.991 Year

Questions

Is Luminair free?
Luminair is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Sidus Link Pro free?
Sidus Link Pro is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Luminair or Sidus Link Pro?
Luminair is rated higher. Luminair averages 4.6 out of 5 from 1.2K ratings, while Sidus Link Pro averages 2.7 from 30 ratings.
Do Luminair or Sidus Link Pro have ads?
Neither Luminair nor Sidus Link Pro shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Luminair or Sidus Link Pro?
Luminair ships an update fortnightly, and Sidus Link Pro monthly. Most recently, Luminair was updated on September 24, 2026 and Sidus Link Pro on July 31, 2026.

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