# Pixel Photo Effect vs Lightleap by Lightricks

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Lightleap by Lightricks at 40% against Pixel Photo Effect's 0%. Lightleap by Lightricks also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (monthly vs every 17 months). Pixel Photo Effect's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.7) and iOS requirement (14.0 vs 17.0). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Pixel Photo Effect sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per 7 days and Lightleap by Lightricks sells 16 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Pixel Photo Effect holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Lightleap by Lightricks has 99K ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 0% of Pixel Photo Effect's written reviews are positive against 40% of Lightleap by Lightricks's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Pixel Photo Effect ships an update every 17 months, Lightleap by Lightricks monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 18, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Pixel Photo Effect | Lightleap by Lightricks |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pixel-photo-effect/id1196247082/reviews)** | [4.7 (99K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lightleap-by-lightricks/id1254875992/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 2 | **99K** |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | **40.4% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 17 months | **Monthly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 31 MB | 287 MB |
| Requires iOS | **14.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Neeraj .](https://appshunter.io/developer/1146795384) | [Lightricks Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/606310584) |

## What reviewers say

### Pixel Photo Effect

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pixel-photo-effect/id1196247082)

Transform your photos with unique pixel effects and artistic filters. Easily select images from your gallery or camera, crop them to perfection, and apply over 15 distinct pixel styles. Enhance your pictures further with color adjustments and stickers before saving or sharing.

**Highlights:** Apply pixel effects, Choose photos from gallery/camera, Crop images, Over 15 pixel effect styles, Background color adjustment, Add stickers, Save and share photos

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly Subscription | $0.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly Subscription | $2.99 | per month |
| Yearly Subscription | $5.99 | per year |
| One Time Purchase | $7.99 | one-time |


### Lightleap by Lightricks

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lightleap-by-lightricks/id1254875992)

Transform your photos with powerful editing tools. Easily enhance lighting, replace backgrounds, and remove unwanted elements to create professional-looking images without complex software. Achieve stunning results with pre-set filters and effects.

**Highlights:** AI-powered photo editing, Sky replacement, Object removal (Heal tool), Diverse filters and looks, Special effects, Adjustable intensity

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (16)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Unlimited access | $3.99 | per month |
| Lightleap unlimited access | $3.99 | per month |
| Lightleap unlimited access | $3.99 | per month |
| Lightleap unlimited access | $4.99 | per month |
| Lightleap unlimited access | $5.99 | per month |
| Lightleap unlimited access | $9.99 | per month |
| Lightleap unlimited access | $19.99 | per year |
| Lightleap unlimited access | $19.99 | per year |
| Lightleap unlimited access | $19.99 | per year |
| Lightleap unlimited access | $23.99 | per year |
| Lightleap unlimited access | $23.99 | per year |
| Lightleap unlimited access | $26.99 | per year |
| Lightleap unlimited access | $49.99 | per year |
| Lightleap unlimited access | $77.99 | per year |
| Quickshot unlimited access | $199.99 | one-time |
| Lightleap unlimited access | $199.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Consistently good app
- 🎨 Great photo editing
- 👍 Worth to buy
- 🌟 Amazing app

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Crashes frequently
- 🔒 Locked behind paywall
- 💰 Expensive subscription
- 🤖 Misleading advertising
- 🔍 Limited free features

**Reported bugs**

- Inability to access photos after update
- Freezing and crashing during editing
- Distortion and artifacts when removing objects

**Requested features**

- Ability to save edited photos without subscription
- More free editing tools and features
- Improved object removal/healing tool
- Ability to add text to photos
- Preset saving and applying


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Pixel Photo Effect free?

Pixel Photo Effect is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Lightleap by Lightricks free?

Lightleap by Lightricks is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Pixel Photo Effect or Lightleap by Lightricks?

Pixel Photo Effect is rated higher. Pixel Photo Effect averages 5.0 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while Lightleap by Lightricks averages 4.7 from 99K ratings.

### Do Pixel Photo Effect or Lightleap by Lightricks have ads?

Pixel Photo Effect shows ads; Lightleap by Lightricks does not.

### Which is updated more often, Pixel Photo Effect or Lightleap by Lightricks?

Pixel Photo Effect ships an update every 17 months, and Lightleap by Lightricks monthly. Most recently, Pixel Photo Effect was updated on October 12, 2026 and Lightleap by Lightricks on October 18, 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.*