Difference Between Dark Mode and Light Mode

The two most majorly used themes in interfaces are the Dark theme and the Light theme. They both have their upsides and downsides. In this article, we will discuss what is Dark Mode and Light Mode. What are their benefits? What are their differences?

Dark Mode vs Light Mode

Dark Mode

Dark Mode is a theme to which users can switch their interfaces. These interfaces usually have dark colors like black or darker shades of grey. It’s also called night mode or dark theme on some interfaces regardless it is the same thing. Showing creativity is harder on dark interfaces as different colors and textures don’t go very well with dark colored themes. Not every interface has its default design in a dark theme. Dark Mode is gaining popularity now and different brands are designing their interfaces in dark themes. Dark Mode has become a trend with brands now. Dark Mode gives off a mysterious and aesthetic vibe to the viewers which helps brands in marketing their products better.

Benefits of Dark Mode:

• It causes less eye strain due to the low brightness of the screen.
• It is more suitable for low-light conditions which people usually prefer aesthetically.
• It consumes less power in OLED displays which helps in saving battery.

Light Mode

Light Mode is the default view mode on most of the interfaces. These interfaces usually have a white background and are very bright. Most of the interfaces are designed for light mode and the designers can get creative with them. Showing different visual elements like colors, textures, shapes, etc is easier than that in dark mode. Light Mode provides better readability as the text becomes more readable due to the presence of contrast. Light Mode gives off a light and positive mood to the viewers and is better for people with normal vision in normal lighting conditions.

Benefits of Light Mode:

• It is more suitable for bright light conditions which is widely used in offices and other institutions.
• Showing color contrast and other visual elements is easier which makes the interface look good.
• Readability is better in Light Mode as showing text with different contrast and hierarchy is easier.

Difference Between Dark Mode and Light Mode

	Light Mode	Dark Mode
Power Consumption	Light Mode consumes more power than Dark Mode in OLED displays	Dark Mode consumes less power than Light Mode in OLED displays
Eye Strain	Since Light Mode is brighter than Dark Mode it causes higher eye strain	Dark Mode causes less eye strain due to the lower Brightness
Blue Light Emission	Causes problems in sleeping due to higher emission Blue Light	Better than Light Mode due to less emission of Blue Light
Light Conditions	Light Mode is suitable for bright light conditions	Dark Mode is suitable for low light conditions
Color Contrast	Showing color contrast is easy so the design can become more creative	Showing color contrast is harder as compared to Light Mode

Conclusion

Dark Mode vs Light Mode debate is never ending. People usually choose their theme based on their surroundings and preference. Knowing which one in better for you is very important. Knowing pros and cons of each mode, knowing what is can affect you, knowing what is better for your own brand interface, etc is necessary. Take all these factors into consideration and design what is best for your interface.