- Home
- Paint colour matching apps
- Datacolor Spyder
Datacolor Spyder
Rotkreuz, Switzerland
What it is
Datacolor Spyder pairs a hardware sensor with software to calibrate monitor color for photo editing. It supports LCD, mini-LED, OLED, and QD-OLED displays, including Apple XDR and Liquid Retina screens. Room Light Monitoring measures ambient light and can warn users to recalibrate or adjust profiles automatically based on the light level. DevicePreview lets users see how photos may look on mobile devices using the calibrated monitor, without sending images to a phone. A full-screen view compares the display before and after calibration, and the product offers 11 brightness settings. The comparison table lists unlimited supported displays, subject to computer capability. The sensor connects by USB-C and includes a USB-A adapter. Spyder runs on Windows 10 or 11 and macOS 10.14 through macOS 26; an internet connection is required for software download and activation. It calibrates monitors, not mobile phones or tablets. The listed price is $169 once. Datacolor positions the product for professional photographers and advanced photo editing for digital sharing or printing.
For and against
For
- Supports LCD, mini-LED, OLED, and QD-OLED displays
- Room-light monitoring can prompt profile adjustments
- DevicePreview previews mobile appearance on the monitor
- Includes a full-screen before-and-after comparison
- Unlimited displays, subject to computer capability
Against
- Calibrates monitors only, not phones or tablets
- Requires internet for download and activation
- Requires Windows 10 or 11, or listed macOS versions
- Listed one-time price is $169
The verdict
Datacolor Spyder combines monitor calibration with ambient-light monitoring and a mobile preview feature. It does not calibrate mobile devices, and software download and activation require internet access.
Who it suits
Spyder is aimed at professional photographers and people doing advanced photo editing for sharing or print. It suits users calibrating supported monitors rather than phones or tablets.
Plans and prices
Datacolor Spyder
Up to 3,000 cd/m² · unlimited displays per computer capability · Windows 10/11 and macOS 10.14–26
Read 30 Sep 2026 · datacolor.com
On the record
- Ambient light
- Room Light Monitoring measures room light and can warn users to recalibrate or automatically adjust profiles based on light level.datacolor.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Audience
- The product is positioned for professional photographers and advanced photo editing for digital sharing or printing.datacolor.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Before and after
- The product offers a full screen before and after calibration comparison and 11 brightness settings.datacolor.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Calibration limitation
- Spyder calibrates and adjusts the monitor only; it does not calibrate mobile or tablet devices.datacolor.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- DevicePreview
- DevicePreview lets users preview photos for mobile devices on the calibrated monitor without sending them to a phone.datacolor.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Display limit
- The comparison table lists unlimited supported displays, subject to computer capability.datacolor.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Display support
- It calibrates LCD, mini-LED, OLED and QD-OLED monitors, including Apple XDR and Liquid Retina displays.datacolor.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Hardware connection
- The sensor connects through USB-C and includes a USB-A adapter.datacolor.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Integration
- The comparison table says SpyderPro supports syncing with Datacolor LightColor Meter and other meters that measure Lux values; this feature is marked unavailable for Spyder.datacolor.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Maker
- Datacolor says it was founded in 1970 in Switzerland and lists its headquarters as Rotkreuz, Switzerland.ir.datacolor.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Privacy
- Datacolor says it protects personal data in accordance with applicable law, including GDPR and CCPA, and says it does not sell personal data to third parties.datacolor.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Purpose
- Datacolor Spyder uses a hardware sensor and software to calibrate display color for photo editing.datacolor.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Software requirements
- The listed system requirements are Windows 10 or 11, or macOS 10.14 through macOS 26, and an internet connection for software download and activation.datacolor.com · read 30 Sep 2026