Comparison

Simple HDR vs Cyclops AR

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Simple HDR

Capture bracketed 360° images with this app, designed for Ricoh Theta cameras. Choose between Auto and Pro settings for quick HDR landscape creation or light and reflection map generation.

Highlights
  • Capture bracketed 360° images
  • Create 360° landscapes
  • Generate light maps
  • Generate reflection maps
  • Auto capture setting (3 shots, 5 stops)
  • Pro capture setting (7 shots, 12 stops)
Features
Read full description

NOTE: A Ricoh Theta camera is required to use Simple HDR. We support the Ricoh Theta m15 and Ricoh Theta S models. Simple HDR is the easy way to quickly capture a full set of bracketed 360° images. You can use these images to create beautiful 360° landscapes, or to capture light maps or reflection maps for use in visual effects or video games. Unlike other HDR apps, we remove the complexity from this process and give you just two great options to choose from. We did our research, took hundreds of test images, and found the options that let you get the most out of the Ricoh Theta’s capabilities. Choose our Auto setting to quickly capture three 360° images, covering a range of 5 stops in just 15 seconds. This should be enough light data to capture most indoor or mixed lighting scenes. Or you can choose our Pro setting to take up to 7 shots, covering a range of 12 stops. This setting is ideal for outdoor scenes in bright daylight. When you’re done shooting, you can use Photoshop or your favorite HDR tool to create beautiful landscapes, lighting maps, or reflection maps. Make 360° HDR images quickly and easily with Simple HDR.

About

Cyclops AR

Visualize digital assets and architectural designs in real-world environments using augmented reality. Professionals can preview CG characters, set extensions, and building proposals directly on location, enhancing pre-production and design workflows.

Highlights
  • AR visualization of digital assets
  • Real-time animation and lighting
  • Google Maps integration with sun path
  • Professional camera and lens matching
  • Import/export with Unreal Engine
  • AI People compositing
  • Lidar for holdout geometry
Read full description

Cyclops is an advanced AR visualization tool for film/TV and architecture, relied on by industry professionals to easily visualize ideas in the real world. See digital creatures, set extensions or designs in context with actual sets, actors and locations. Scout building sites and design proposals aligned to real geography. Whether the content you are creating will be virtual or real, you can use Cyclops anywhere to provide a new perspective on the world. Use Cyclops anywhere to put your virtual ideas into real-world context. For VFX Crew Visualize CG characters, creatures and set extensions on set or on location, with simulcam-like capabilities in real time. Integrate VFX elements with powerful compositing tools. Preview, share and discuss how VFX elements will integrate into shots while scouting and shooting. For Directors, Cinematographers, & Camera Operators Block shots and create photoboards in AR or in Google Maps. “Find” shots by framing up virtual and real storytelling elements. Scout camera coverage, lenses and real locations to help prepare shot lists and shooting plans. Use as a digital viewfinder to properly review VFX shots with proper camera lens matching. For Designers & Architects Visualize architecture projects in AR to see and share how designs fit the real world. Visualize designs in Google Maps to explore and present a proposed build within the actual geography. Create scenarios for lighting or drop in posed humans to capture video with scale reference. Features & Tools: Import your own FBX/OBJ models or export assets and levels from Unreal Real-time animation, lighting and FX adjustment tools Search-and-explore via Google Maps, with correct sun path information Professional cinema camera & lens matching Scene organization tools, including outliner, layers and bookmarks Asset tools to move, rotate, & scale objects in the scene Take photos and record videos with metadata/camera data Export recorded cameras into Unreal Game controller support Range finder and measuring tape tool Robust animation playback controls – scrub, adjust playback speed, set in/out points, & more Built-in Photo and Video Gallery with custom info, metadata and sharing Seamless import/export with Unreal Engine Secure content delivery system AI People compositing Chromakey Scene Lidar for holdout geometry Built-in GPS alignment Point Cloud Anchor tools to correctly save and load CG models in real-world locations Scene-saving tools Create your own complex assets in Unreal with different color, texture, or material options Multiple operation modes, including Asset Mode, Shot Mode, VCAM Mode and Maps Mode Secure platform. All content is stored on your device with no rendering in the cloud. Hundreds of user-driven tools and features Additional Info: Cyclops is a subscription-based app. Multiple subscription levels and time frames are offered to fit user and project needs. Maps - access to Maps Mode only Assets - access to Maps and Asset modes Pro - access to all modes. You can enjoy a 1-week free trial. iOS or iPadOS 16 or newer is required. For the best experience with Cyclops, a 2021 or newer iPad Pro is recommended. Please see our website for more info, tutorials & support. http://cyclops.thethirdfloorinc.com

Screenshots

Simple HDR4 screens
Cyclops AR4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Cyclops AR at Free against Simple HDR's $9.99. Cyclops AR also leads on rating (3.7 vs 2.7) and review sentiment (67% vs 56%). Simple HDR's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 10) and chart position (#192 vs unranked). On ratings volume, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Cyclops AR is free to download; Simple HDR costs $9.99 up front. Cyclops AR sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Simple HDR asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Cyclops AR holds the better App Store score, 3.7 against 2.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 7 and 3 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 56% of Simple HDR's written reviews are positive against 67% of Cyclops AR's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Simple HDR ships an update every 2 months, Cyclops AR monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 15, 2026 and July 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
Simple HDR versus Cyclops AR: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSimple HDRCyclops AR
Price$9.99Free — better
Rating2.7 (7 ratings)3.7 (3 ratings) — better
Positive reviews55.6% of reviews66.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings7 — better3
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaid — betterSubscription
Best chart rank#192 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS12.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size2 MB442 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBuilt LightThe Third Floor, Inc

Customer experience

Simple HDR

All ratings7 ratings
Positive42.9%
Neutral0.0%
Negative57.1%
Written reviews9 reviews
Positive55.6%
Neutral0.0%
Negative44.4%

Cyclops AR

All ratings3 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%

In-app purchases

None

Simple HDR

No in-app purchases

10 purchases

Cyclops AR

Subscriptions10
  • Maps Monthly7 Days trial$1.991 Month
  • Assets Weekly7 Days trial$4.997 Days
  • Maps 6 Months7 Days trial$5.996 Months
Show 7 more
  • Pro Weekly7 Days trial$9.997 Days
  • Maps Yearly7 Days trial$9.991 Year
  • Assets Monthly7 Days trial$14.991 Month
  • Pro Monthly7 Days trial$24.991 Month
  • Assets 6 Months7 Days trial$79.996 Months
  • Pro 6 Months7 Days trial$124.996 Months
  • Assets Yearly7 Days trial$150.001 Year

Questions

Is Simple HDR free?
Simple HDR costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Cyclops AR free?
Cyclops AR is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Simple HDR or Cyclops AR?
Cyclops AR is rated higher. Simple HDR averages 2.7 out of 5 from 7 ratings, while Cyclops AR averages 3.7 from 3 ratings.
Do Simple HDR or Cyclops AR have ads?
Neither Simple HDR nor Cyclops AR shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Simple HDR or Cyclops AR?
Simple HDR ships an update every 2 months, and Cyclops AR monthly. Most recently, Simple HDR was updated on September 15, 2026 and Cyclops AR on July 23, 2026.

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