Light'J vs DMXcat®
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Light'J
This app provides intuitive control over lighting effects and fog machines, mimicking a classic light console with modern app features. It allows for detailed manipulation of colors, brightness, and movement, with options to save and share scenes.
- Control colors, strobe effects, and brightness
- Manage moving head movements and effects
- Integrate fog and other effect machines
- Generate and save cues for scenes
- Program chasers by combining cues
- Control multiple devices simultaneously
- Export and share chases and cues
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With Light’J, you control your spots as intuitively as never before. Light’J offers you the feeling of a modern app and the various control options of a classic light console. The communication with your light effects is realized via the Eurolite freeDMX interface, which is obligatory. Control colors, strobe effects or the brightness of your spots with Light’J – you can even control the movement of moving heads. Gobos, prisms and other moving head effects can easily be used with virtual faders. Fog and other effect machines can also be integrated. Generate cues to save scenes and to call them up again at any time. You can combine several cues to quickly and easily program chasers. A well-thought-out group feature allows you to control multiple devices simultaneously. Save multiple shows for different setups and stay as flexible as you want. In-app-purchases give you the possibility to also export your chases and cues and to share them with others or use them with other devices. You can also have an unlimited amount of chases or cues and add a master dimmer and a multiplay function. Even though Light’J has been optimized for Eurolite products, you can run all spots of popular manufacturers with it. Only requirement: the spots must be able to be controlled with DMX. You can assign spots, which have not already been added to the database (300 spots by now, June 2017), very easily within a few minutes.
DMXcat®
Control, analyze, and test DMX lighting fixtures wirelessly from your smartphone. This system uses a hardware dongle and free mobile apps to simplify lighting control without complex consoles. It supports various functions like DMX and RDM control, fixture management, and DIP switch calculations.
- Wireless DMX and RDM control
- Fixture control with built-in database
- DMX analysis and testing
- DIP switch calculator
- Multi-language support
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DMXcat® makes it easy for anyone to control, analyze, or test any DMX lighting fixture, whether it’s a simple LED PAR or a complex moving light. The system consists of a small hardware dongle (purchased separately) and a suite of free mobile applications. Together, they combine to bring wireless DMX and RDM control plus other useful lighting functions to the user’s smartphone. The DMXcat solves the problem faced by all users of modern lighting equipment: How to turn on and test DMX lighting gear without using a complicated lighting console. DMXcat app is now available in seven languages: Spanish, French, German, Italian, Korean, Japanese, and English. Software Applications There are currently five apps available for use with the DMXcat system: •DMX Controller: A single universe (512) DMX channel controller with two user interfaces (sliders or keypad). •Fixture Controller: Controls multi-attribute fixtures from a built in database. •RDM Controller: For bi-directional communication and control of RDM enabled devices. •DMX Tester: Analyze and adjust settings for transmitting or receiving DMX. •DIP switch calculator: Simplifies the configuring of DIP switches used for setting DMX addresses. Hardware The DMXcat’s hardware interface is a compact battery powered device which fits easily in a pocket or tool pouch or may be worn on a belt. It uses Bluetooth LE technology for communication with the smartphone applications (up to 50’ range). Without the limitations of being physically connected, the user can move about the workspace as needed with their smartphone and run the various apps while still using the phone for on-the-job communication. The device’s five pin XLRF connector/cable assembly allows it to be connected to a point in a DMX data chain to test or control of the various DMX/RDM functions. It is charged using a standard USB to Micro-USB cable and charger. Other features include a built-in LED flashlight, an audible alarm for locating a misplaced unit, XLR5M to XLR5M Turnaround, LED status indicator, and a removable belt clip with a split ring safety point. Optional accessories include XLR5M to RJ45 Adapter, XLR5M to XLR3F Adapter, XLR5M to XLR3M Turnaround, and a Belt Pouch.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: DMXcat® at 3.9 against Light'J's 3.0. DMXcat® also leads on review sentiment (68% vs 33%) and in-app purchases (none vs 5). Light'J's advantage is iOS requirement (12 vs 17.0). On price, update cadence, ads 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
Both are free to download. Light'J sells 5 one-off in-app purchases. DMXcat® asks for nothing beyond the download.
DMXcat® holds the better App Store score, 3.9 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: DMXcat® has 26 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 33% of Light'J's written reviews are positive against 68% of DMXcat®'s.
Light'J ships an update every 2 months, DMXcat® monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 28, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Light'J | DMXcat® |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.0 (1 ratings) | 3.9 (26 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 33.3% of reviews | 68.4% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 1 | 26 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Monthly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 12 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 12 MB | 43 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Steinigke Showtechnic GmbH | City Theatrical, Inc |
Customer experience
Light'J
DMXcat®
In-app purchases
Light'J
- J`MasterDim$1.99
- J`Expand$2.99
- J`Multiplayer$3.99
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- J`Transfer$4.99
- J`Bundle$7.99
DMXcat®
No in-app purchases









