# iLightningCam AI vs Compass Camera

The clearest difference is rating: iLightningCam AI at 3.9 against Compass Camera's 2.5. iLightningCam AI also leads on update cadence (every 4 months vs every 49 months) and review sentiment (67% vs 50%). Compass Camera's advantage is chart position (#186 vs unranked) and price ($2.99 vs $3.99). On ads, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

iLightningCam AI costs $3.99 and Compass Camera $2.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

iLightningCam AI holds the better App Store score, 3.9 against 2.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: iLightningCam AI has 95 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 67% of iLightningCam AI's written reviews are positive against 50% of Compass Camera's.

iLightningCam AI ships an update every 4 months, Compass Camera every 49 months. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 27, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | iLightningCam AI | Compass Camera |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $3.99 | **$2.99** |
| Rating | **[3.9 (95 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ilightningcam-ai/id1016445476/reviews)** | [2.5 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/compass-camera/id1587276403/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **95** | 4 |
| Positive reviews | **67.2% of reviews** | 50.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 4 months** | Every 49 months |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Best chart rank | — | **#186** |
| Size | 51 MB | 5 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **13** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Florian Stiassny](https://appshunter.io/developer/425886734) | [Heng Jia Liang](https://appshunter.io/developer/1532000635) |

## What reviewers say

### iLightningCam AI

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ilightningcam-ai/id1016445476)

Capture stunning lightning strike photos in real-time with your iPhone or iPad. This app automatically detects and photographs lightning, offering both fully automatic and manual ISO controls for expert users. Enjoy high-resolution images without interpolation.

**Highlights:** Real-time lightning detection, Full AUTO mode, Manual ISO adjustment, Original photo resolution, Double-shot blending, Modern design

**Features:** Family Sharing

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 📸 Captures amazing lightning
- 🚀 Works automatically
- 👍 Easy to use
- 🤩 Creates stunning photos
- 💰 Worth the price

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Blurry photos on newer iPhones
- 🐛 White/gray bars on photos
- 🐛 Overexposed photos
- 🐛 Misses many lightning strikes
- 🐛 Outdated UI

**Reported bugs**

- White bar across the top of the image
- Pictures are blurry on newer iPhone models
- App captures nothing or everything is overexposed
- Auto setting not getting lightning, only brightness and out of focus
- Large lightning setting gets nothing

**Requested features**

- Vertical mode
- RAW format output
- More control over aperture and shutter speed
- Higher resolution output (24MP)
- HEIC or RAW format saving


### Compass Camera

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/compass-camera/id1587276403)

**Currently charting:** #186 Top Paid · Photo & Video (US App Store)

Record videos or take photos with embedded directional and environmental data. Features include compass, time, date, level, and pitch angle indicators. Save original photos and access media easily from your library.

**Highlights:** Embed compass, time, date, level, pitch angle, Capture photos with embedded info, Capture videos with embedded info, Show/Hide info overlays, Pinch to zoom, Save original photo option

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is iLightningCam AI free?

iLightningCam AI costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Compass Camera free?

Compass Camera costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, iLightningCam AI or Compass Camera?

iLightningCam AI is rated higher. iLightningCam AI averages 3.9 out of 5 from 95 ratings, while Compass Camera averages 2.5 from 4 ratings.

### Do iLightningCam AI or Compass Camera have ads?

Neither iLightningCam AI nor Compass Camera shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, iLightningCam AI or Compass Camera?

iLightningCam AI ships an update every 4 months, and Compass Camera every 49 months. Most recently, iLightningCam AI was updated on October 29, 2026 and Compass Camera on October 27, 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.*