Photone - Grow Light Meter

In-app purchases
10.9K reviews
Content rating
PEGI 3
500K+
Downloads
Content rating
PEGI 3
In-App Purchases
Learn more
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image

About this app

Take the guesswork out of plant lighting with Photone, the most accurate plant light meter app. Measure PAR, PPFD, DLI, lux, foot-candles, and color temperature (kelvin) directly with your phone or tablet.

To measure light with research-grade accuracy, Photone uses the most precise sensor in your device: the camera**. It rivals professional handheld PAR meters, and goes even further by helping you interpret the numbers with in-app guides, tools, and additional features.

MEASUREMENTS

⎷ Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) as PPFD in µmol/m²/s
⎷ Daily Light Integral (DLI) in mol/m²/d
⎷ Illuminance in lux or foot-candles
⎷ Light color temperature in kelvin
⎷ Extended PAR (ePAR) including far-red light (ePPFD, eDLI) *

TOOLBOX

⎷ Heatmaps — Create exportable PAR maps, PPFD maps, DLI maps, lux maps, and more
⎷ Logging — Track measurements over time as an interactive chart, Auto-Log sessions, and export them

FEATURES

⎷ Industry-leading accuracy
⎷ Pre-calibrated for your device model **
⎷ Excellent low light sensitivity to detect light pollution for plants
⎷ No ads
⎷ No Bluetooth and location permission required
⎷ In-app guides
⎷ Light source selection for every type of grow light (LED, HPS, CMH, etc.) *
⎷ Average and peak readings *
⎷ Plant light calculator
⎷ Hands-free “read aloud” function *
⎷ Special underwater measurement mode *
⎷ Custom calibration option
⎷ Premium support for advanced grow questions *

* These features require an in-app purchase to fully unlock

DIFFUSER REQUIRED

Like every real light meter, Photone requires a diffuser to measure accurately**. A diffuser scatters incoming light evenly on the sensor and prevents hotspots. While it may sound complex, the solution is surprisingly easy. You have two options:

1) Easily build a diffuser yourself in less than a minute using standard printer paper. This is accurate enough for most use cases.

2) Get the dedicated Diffuser Accessory (free worldwide shipping) for best accuracy and convenience. More details on https://lightray.io/diffuser/.

** ENHANCED LIGHT MEASUREMENTS WITH THE CAMERA
Accurate light measurements with the camera require a default calibration, which is made available only for selected higher-quality devices. Check the full list of supported devices here: https://lightray.io/diffuser/compatibility/

On devices without default calibration, Photone automatically falls back to the built-in ambient light sensor (ALS). While the ALS works without an external diffuser, it is far less accurate than camera-based measurements. Learn more here: https://growlightmeter.com/guides/different-light-intensity-sensors/

UPGRADE OPTIONS

Photone is free to download and use, with no ads or hidden costs. To unleash its full potential, Photone offers two types of upgrades:
→ Lifetime unlocks — one-time purchase, always restorable via your Google Account
→ Pro subscription — full access for as long as you subscribe, cancel anytime

Photone took 5+ years of R&D to develop. Upgrading unlocks powerful features and keeps the app ad-free for everyone. As a member of 1% for the Planet, we donate at least 1% of all revenue to environmental non-profits — so every purchase helps both your plants and the planet.

ACCURACY

Apps developed by Lightray Innovation are developed according to the ISO/CIE 19476 standard. Thanks to RAW image processing and a default calibration per device model they’re able to match the performance of high quality traditional hardware light meters. To ensure quality we rigorously test our apps regularly on upcoming devices.

DOWNLOAD FOR FREE. TRUSTED BY MILLIONS.

Optimized for plant growers and indoor gardeners – whether you’re growing in a grow tent, greenhouse, hydroponics system, an aquarium, or just want the best quantum meter app for your LED grow lights, Photone has got you covered.

Terms and Conditions: https://growlightmeter.com/terms/
Privacy Policy: https://growlightmeter.com/privacy/
Turn your device into an accurate light meter — for plants (PAR/PPFD/DLI) & more
Updated on
Sep 10, 2026

Data safety

Safety starts with understanding how developers collect and share your data. Data privacy and security practices may vary based on your use, region, and age. The developer provided this information and may update it over time.
  • No data shared with third parties
    Learn more about how developers declare sharing
  • This app may collect these data types
    App activity, App info and performance, and Device or other IDs
  • Data is encrypted in transit
  • You can request that data be deleted

Ratings and reviews

10.8K reviews
Damien Roberts
August 24, 2026
I finally bought an inexpensive grow light. I downloaded this app to see if it could help me ensure that seedlings weren't being starved or fried with light. Outside at 10 am sunlight came in at 1500 par. inside under grow light 900 par at canopy. I dimmed the light to 500. I couldn't have understood what I was dealing with without this app. It is quick and easy to set up and use. It doesn't share info with third parties. everything you need, nothing you don't.
4 people found this review helpful
Did you find this helpful?
Lightray Innovation GmbH
August 25, 2026
Hi Damian, Thank you very much for this review! This is exactly why built Photone for — no starving, no frying 🌱 "everything you need, nothing you don't" may be the best summary of our design goal we have ever read 😃 This keeps us working on the product to make it even better. All the best, Dominik and the Photone team
Lloyd Powell
September 11, 2026
Works great for my needs. How accurate it is for absolute measurements, who knows. It's great for consistent comparisons. The payments that heaps of people are complaining about - it's not that expensive! Why shouldn't the developer make something out of it? I'd rather pay a little and not see annoying ads.
1 person found this review helpful
Did you find this helpful?
Lightray Innovation GmbH
September 11, 2026
Hi Lloyd Thanks for the 5🌟! And thanks for the fair take on the price — that’s exactly the idea: no ads, ever, and the unlocks are what fund the development. On absolute accuracy: with the right light source selected, Photone is validated against LI-COR and Apogee reference meters, so the absolute numbers hold up too Dennis and the Photone team
Silent Camper
July 14, 2026
All features now require payment, I've had this app since the start and even got a new phone to use it on. Now they paywall all the LED features like they did on IPhone. At this point may as well use an old phone and sideload and older version. edit to reply to photone: Pay for something that was already free before? Hell no, I would rather go buy a real ppfd meter at that point. I used to recommend many people get this app but not something I will do anymore. its always a bait n switch.
6 people found this review helpful
Did you find this helpful?
Lightray Innovation GmbH
July 14, 2026
Great that you've been using Photone since ever🤩 Our prices needed a fix (ℹ️: photone.io/pricing/). We never remove features, but as we don't save user data, the information that you were previously using the app is lost when you re-installed. But maybe it's not too much to ask to pay once a few $$ for a product you've been using for years?😇

What’s new

This update ships minor fixes and improvements