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Datacolor Spyder

datacolor.com

WindowsmacOS
Visit datacolor.com
Spec score 7.6 #1 of 8 in Paint colour matching apps

What it is

Datacolor Spyder is a paid display-calibration product for professional photographers and advanced photo editing. Its hardware sensor connects through USB-C, with a USB-A adapter included, while software calibrates LCD, mini-LED, OLED and QD-OLED monitors, including Apple XDR and Liquid Retina displays. Room Light Monitoring measures the room’s light and can warn when recalibration is needed or adjust profiles automatically according to the light level. DevicePreview shows how photos may appear on mobile devices while they remain on the calibrated monitor. A full-screen comparison shows the display before and after calibration, with 11 brightness settings. The comparison table lists unlimited supported displays, subject to computer capability. Spyder supports Windows 10 or 11 and macOS 10.14 through macOS 26, and requires internet access for downloading and activating the software. It calibrates monitors only, not phones or tablets. The listed price is $169 as a one-time purchase.

Spec sheet

Purpose
Datacolor Spyder uses a hardware sensor and software to calibrate display color for photo editing.Read 30 Sep 2026 · datacolor.com
Audience
The product is positioned for professional photographers and advanced photo editing for digital sharing or printing.Read 30 Sep 2026 · datacolor.com
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.Read 30 Sep 2026 · datacolor.com
Headquarters
Rotkreuz, SwitzerlandRead 28 Sep 2026 · datacolor.com
Founded
1970Read 28 Sep 2026 · datacolor.com
Maker
Datacolor says it was founded in 1970 in Switzerland and lists its headquarters as Rotkreuz, Switzerland.Read 30 Sep 2026 · ir.datacolor.com
Ambient light
Room Light Monitoring measures room light and can warn users to recalibrate or automatically adjust profiles based on light level.Read 30 Sep 2026 · datacolor.com
Before and after
The product offers a full screen before and after calibration comparison and 11 brightness settings.Read 30 Sep 2026 · datacolor.com
Calibration limitation
Spyder calibrates and adjusts the monitor only; it does not calibrate mobile or tablet devices.Read 30 Sep 2026 · datacolor.com
DevicePreview
DevicePreview lets users preview photos for mobile devices on the calibrated monitor without sending them to a phone.Read 30 Sep 2026 · datacolor.com
Display limit
The comparison table lists unlimited supported displays, subject to computer capability.Read 30 Sep 2026 · datacolor.com
Display support
It calibrates LCD, mini-LED, OLED and QD-OLED monitors, including Apple XDR and Liquid Retina displays.Read 30 Sep 2026 · datacolor.com
Hardware connection
The sensor connects through USB-C and includes a USB-A adapter.Read 30 Sep 2026 · datacolor.com
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.Read 30 Sep 2026 · datacolor.com
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.Read 30 Sep 2026 · datacolor.com

Plans and prices

Datacolor Spyder $169, paid once 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

Every Datacolor Spyder plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Supports LCD, mini-LED, OLED and QD-OLED monitors
  • Measures room light for profile adjustments
  • Previews mobile-device appearance on the calibrated monitor
  • Includes full-screen before-and-after comparison
  • Supports unlimited displays subject to computer capability

Limits

  • Does not calibrate mobile or tablet devices
  • Requires internet for download and activation
  • Printer and camera profiling are not included
  • LightColor Meter syncing is unavailable for Spyder

Who it suits

It suits professional photographers and people doing advanced photo editing for digital sharing or printing. It is intended for users calibrating supported monitors on Windows or macOS.

Verdict

Datacolor Spyder combines sensor-based monitor calibration with room-light monitoring and mobile preview. Its one-time price is 169.00 USD, and it runs on Windows and macOS with the listed system requirements.

Where Specifiction places it

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