Comparison

SMO vs Microscope App

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read full description

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

About

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.

Highlights
  • Live microscope view
  • iPhone camera alignment guidance
  • Photo and video capture
  • Adjustable focus and exposure
  • Customizable center marker
  • Pro features via subscription
Features
Read full description

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

SMO3 screens
Microscope App4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SMO ships an update every 4 months, Microscope App weekly. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
SMO versus Microscope App: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSMOMicroscope App
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.2 (16 ratings) — better1.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews45.5% of reviews—
Number of ratings16 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS8.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size2 MB18 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSmartMicroOpticsPriya Satralkar

In-app purchases

None

SMO

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Microscope App

Subscriptions1
  • Monthly Pro$1.991 Month
One-time1
  • Lifetime Pro$9.99

Questions

Is SMO free?
SMO is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Microscope App free?
Microscope App is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, SMO or Microscope App?
SMO is rated higher. SMO averages 3.2 out of 5 from 16 ratings, while Microscope App averages 1.0 from 1 ratings.
Do SMO or Microscope App have ads?
Neither SMO nor Microscope App shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SMO or Microscope App?
SMO ships an update every 4 months, and Microscope App weekly. Most recently, SMO was updated on November 2, 2026 and Microscope App on November 10, 2026.

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