Comparison

Light Meter vs Luxilux Light Meter

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

Head to head
About

Light Meter

Measure ambient light levels using your smartphone's camera. Get quick and precise lux readings for personal use, saving you the cost of professional equipment. Simply open the app and point your camera to see real-time measurements.

Highlights
  • Easy lux measurement
  • High precision readings
  • Real-time updates
  • Unique and attractive design
  • Simple and convenient to use
Features
Read full description

Light Meter – Professional Exposure & Lux Meter Turn your iPhone into a powerful light meter for photography, filmmaking, video, studio lighting, and everyday light measurement. Measure light levels in lux, foot-candles, and EV, then instantly calculate the ideal camera exposure using ISO, aperture, and shutter speed. Use precise spot metering, average metering, exposure compensation, histogram, waveform, false color, and zebra tools to better understand every lighting situation. Professional Light Metering Live lux and foot-candle measurement EV and EV100 calculations Spot, average, center-weighted, and multi-zone metering Exposure lock and compensation Custom calibration profiles Measurement stability and confidence indicators Photography & Video Tools ISO, aperture, and shutter calculator Exposure triangle Histogram Waveform monitor False color Zebra exposure display Zone System Lighting ratio calculator Color temperature estimation ND & Long Exposure ND filter calculator Long exposure calculator Shutter speed conversion Optical density calculations Reciprocity calculator for film photography Lighting Analysis Measure key, fill, rim, and background lighting Calculate lighting ratios Create lighting measurement maps Analyze lighting uniformity Save measurements with notes and photos Professional Workflow Measurement history Project-based measurement sessions Photo and EXIF analysis Custom reference profiles CSV, JSON, PDF, and image export iCloud synchronization Apple Watch companion Home Screen widgets Apple Shortcuts support Designed with a clean, modern iOS interface, Light Meter gives photographers, cinematographers, filmmakers, lighting technicians, students, and creators a powerful set of tools for understanding light and making better exposure decisions. Note: Camera-based lux measurements are estimates and can vary by device, scene, and calibration. For professional or compliance-critical measurements, use a calibrated external light sensor. The App offers two subscription options: -$3.99 Monthly -$34.99 Yearly Prices may vary by location. Privacy Policy: https://privacy.vanlangapps.com Terms of Use: https://tos.vanlangapps.com Should you choose to upgrade to a Pro subscription, payment will be charged to your iTunes account at confirmation of purchase. Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. Account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period. You may cancel automatic renewal and manage your subscription by selecting Manage App Subscriptions in your iTunes Account settings and selecting the subscription you want to modify. Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when you purchase a Pro subscription, where applicable.

About

Luxilux Light Meter

This app functions as a portable light meter for photographers, especially those using film cameras without built-in meters. It allows for precise exposure readings, offers various shooting modes, and lets you save your settings with preview images.

Highlights
  • Average and spot metering
  • Aperture priority mode
  • Shutter priority mode
  • Manual exposure mode
  • Save exposure settings with photos
  • Customizable camera profiles
Read full description

You like using your old film camera but it doesn't have a built-in light meter? The built-in meter is broken or requires special batteries? With Luxilux you always have a light meter in your pocket. --- METERING --- Luxilux will take an average reading of the image you see in the preview. Specify the area for the meter reading even more accurately by zooming in or out. If your device has two or three back cameras, you can switch between them. You can also tap on points of interest to expose correctly for them. --- MODES --- Use Luxilux in aperture priority mode (Av) by choosing the ISO and aperture, and Luxilux will calculate the right shutter speed to get a proper exposure. Use it in shutter priority mode (Tv) by choosing the ISO and the shutter speed, and Luxilux will calculate the right aperture to get a proper exposure. Manual mode (M) lets you change all values and shows you how much they differ from the calculated optimal exposure. --- SAVE EXPOSURES --- Tap "Save" and the currently selected settings are saved alongside a preview image into your photo library. If you give location permission you can also save where the measurement was taken. You can view your saved photos in Luxilux or in the Photos app. --- PROFILES --- You can choose between full stops, half stops or third stops for ISO, aperture and shutter speed. Specify the minimum and maximum values that your combination of camera, lens and film supports. Save these settings in profiles so you can quickly recall them.

Screenshots

Light Meter4 screens
Luxilux Light Meter4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Luxilux Light Meter at 78% against Light Meter's 30%. Luxilux Light Meter also leads on rating (4.9 vs 2.5) and in-app purchases (none vs 3). Light Meter's advantage is price (Free vs $5.99). On ratings volume, ads, monetization model 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

Light Meter is free to download; Luxilux Light Meter costs $5.99 up front. Light Meter sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Luxilux Light Meter asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Luxilux Light Meter holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 2.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 31 and 75 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 30% of Light Meter's written reviews are positive against 78% of Luxilux Light Meter's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Light Meter ships an update every 71 months, Luxilux Light Meter every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Light Meter versus Luxilux Light Meter: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLight MeterLuxilux Light Meter
PriceFree — better$5.99
Rating2.5 (31 ratings)4.9 (75 ratings) — better
Positive reviews29.5% of reviews77.8% of reviews — better
Number of ratings3175 — better
Update frequencyEvery 71 monthsEvery 6 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18.016.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size2 MB4 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTu Anh DoChristian Lobach

Customer experience

Light Meter

All ratings31 ratings
Positive38.7%
Neutral6.5%
Negative54.8%
Written reviews61 reviews
Positive29.5%
Neutral8.2%
Negative62.3%

Luxilux Light Meter

All ratings75 ratings
Positive96.0%
Neutral2.7%
Negative1.3%
Written reviews36 reviews
Positive77.8%
Neutral5.6%
Negative16.7%

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Light Meter

Subscriptions2
  • Light Meter Pro Monthly$3.991 Month
  • Light Meter Pro Yearly$34.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lighte Meter Pro Lifetime$79.99
None

Luxilux Light Meter

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Light Meter free?
Light Meter is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Luxilux Light Meter free?
Luxilux Light Meter costs $5.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Light Meter or Luxilux Light Meter?
Luxilux Light Meter is rated higher. Light Meter averages 2.5 out of 5 from 31 ratings, while Luxilux Light Meter averages 4.9 from 75 ratings.
Do Light Meter or Luxilux Light Meter have ads?
Neither Light Meter nor Luxilux Light Meter shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Light Meter or Luxilux Light Meter?
Light Meter ships an update every 71 months, and Luxilux Light Meter every 6 weeks. Most recently, Light Meter was updated on November 1, 2026 and Luxilux Light Meter on November 7, 2026.

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