SMO vs Microscope App
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
SMO
Capture detailed macro and microscopic photos and videos with enhanced magnification and illumination. Features digital zoom, adjustable autofocus, and a timer for stable shots.
- Capture photos and videos
- Digital zoom for magnification
- Adjustable flashlight for illumination
- Manual and autofocus control
- Full-screen observation
- In-app timer for stable shots
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Application with dedicated functions for easy use of the BLIPS lenses; for Macro photos or videos, or for observation at Microscopic scales. FEATURES: - Ability to take pictures and to shoot videos. - Digital Zoom to further increase the magnification and to observe microscopic details on the smartphone screen. - Flashlight can be activated whenever the user wants to increase the illumination on the observed subject, for enhancing the image definition. - Autofocus normally turned off; it can be easily activated and locked, if needed. - Full use of the screen to observe the tiniest details directly on your smartphone. - Timer: for keeping the camera still during the shot
Microscope App
Transform your iPhone into a microscope camera. View, align, and capture high-quality photos and videos through your physical microscope. Offers precise controls for focus, exposure, and color, with advanced customization options in the Pro version.
- Live microscope view
- iPhone camera alignment guidance
- Photo and video capture
- Adjustable focus and exposure
- Customizable center marker
- Pro features via subscription
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Use your iPhone with a compatible microscope eyepiece adapter to view, align, photograph, and record what your microscope sees. Microscope App provides a clean live camera view designed for imaging through a physical microscope. Get clear setup guidance for your iPhone model, align the rear 1× Main camera with the eyepiece, and start viewing. VIEW AND ALIGN • Clean live view through your microscope • Guidance for positioning the iPhone’s 1× Main camera • Minimal center marker for precise alignment • Zoom and tap to focus CAPTURE PHOTOS AND VIDEO • Take native photos and record video through the eyepiece • Save captures to a dedicated Microscope album in Photos • Preview and share using familiar iPhone tools PRECISION CONTROLS WITH PRO • Fine-tune focus and exposure • Adjust color temperature and tint on supported cameras • Customize the center marker’s visibility, color, and opacity • Choose additional supported photo resolutions and video quality profiles PRIVATE BY DESIGN • No ads • No account • No analytics SDK or tracking • Microscope App never uploads camera frames or captures • Saved media follows your Photos and Apple sync settings WHAT YOU NEED A physical microscope and compatible iPhone eyepiece adapter are required. Microscope App uses the iPhone’s built-in rear 1× Main camera. It does not connect to Wi-Fi or USB microscopes. Use Microscope App for specimens, classroom demonstrations, electronics inspection, gems, collectibles, and hobby imaging. Microscope App is an observation and imaging utility. It is not a medical diagnostic or calibrated measurement tool. Free includes live viewing, zoom, tap to focus, photo and video capture, and a fixed center marker. Pro is available as a monthly subscription or a one-time lifetime purchase. Both options unlock the same Pro features. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://sahilsatralkar.com/apps/microscope/privacy
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: SMO at 3.2 against Microscope App's 1.0. SMO also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 2) and ratings volume (16 vs 1). Microscope App's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 4 months). On price and ads 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
Both are free to download. Microscope App sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. SMO asks for nothing beyond the download.
SMO holds the better App Store score, 3.2 against 1.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SMO has 16 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.
SMO ships an update every 4 months, Microscope App weekly. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 10, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | SMO | Microscope App |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.2 (16 ratings) — better | 1.0 (1 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 45.5% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 16 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | Weekly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 8.0 — better | 26.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 2 MB | 18 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | SmartMicroOptics | Priya Satralkar |
In-app purchases
SMO
No in-app purchases
Microscope App
- Monthly Pro$1.991 Month
- Lifetime Pro$9.99







