# Color Muse vs Datacolor ColorReader

Color Muse and Datacolor ColorReader both sit at 4.8 stars, but that hides the real split: 38% of Color Muse's written reviews are positive against 25% of Datacolor ColorReader's. On price, rating, ratings volume and update cadence there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Color Muse sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and Datacolor ColorReader sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for Color Muse against 4.7 for Datacolor ColorReader. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1.5K and 699 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 38% of Color Muse's written reviews are positive against 25% of Datacolor ColorReader's.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Color Muse | Datacolor ColorReader |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (1.5K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/color-muse/id995252259/reviews)** | [4.7 (699 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/datacolor-colorreader/id1217566816/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **1.5K** | 699 |
| Positive reviews | **38.5% of reviews** | 25.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Freemium | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 96 MB | 34 MB |
| Requires iOS | 13.4 | **13** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Variable Technologies LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/569541572) | [Datacolor Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/432310628) |

## What reviewers say

### Color Muse

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/color-muse/id995252259)

Instantly measure and match colors from any surface with a connected device. Access a vast library of paint colors from leading brands and find coordinating shades. A premium subscription unlocks custom paint formulation and redemption at select stores.

**Highlights:** Wireless color measurement, Match colors from over 100K paint options, Identify paint and product colors, Custom paint formulation (subscription), Sheen and color detection, Save and organize color palettes, Cross-material color scanning

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

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly | $4.99 | per month |
| Plus (Sherwin-Williams) | $4.99 | per month |
| Monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| Plus (Sherwin-Williams) | $47.99 | per year |
| Annual | $49.99 | per year |
| Annual | $99.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast and functional
- 💡 Useful color matching features
- 👍 Helpful for home improvement projects

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Bugs and crashes after recent updates
- 🔒 Requiring account to access full functionality
- 👎 Complicated setup process

**Reported bugs**

- Inability to load catalog colors
- Scanning issues and force closes
- Comparison mode not working as expected

**Requested features**

- Ability to save scanned colors
- Integration with Pantone color system
- Apple Watch app for on-the-go use


### 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 Color Muse free?

Color Muse is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Datacolor ColorReader free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Color Muse or Datacolor ColorReader?

Color Muse is rated higher. Color Muse averages 4.8 out of 5 from 1.5K ratings, while Datacolor ColorReader averages 4.7 from 699 ratings.

### Do Color Muse or Datacolor ColorReader have ads?

Neither Color Muse nor Datacolor ColorReader shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Color Muse or Datacolor ColorReader?

Color Muse ships an update every 2 months, and Datacolor ColorReader every 2 months. Most recently, Color Muse was updated on September 22, 2026 and Datacolor ColorReader on September 23, 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.*