# Real Camera vs Carat

The clearest difference is rating: Carat at 4.8 against Real Camera's 3.0. Carat also leads on ratings volume (659 vs 2) and update cadence (every 3 days vs every 9 days). Real Camera's advantage is monetization model (ad-supported vs free with in-app purchases). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Real Camera sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Carat sells 16 in-app purchases, starting at $19.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Carat holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Carat has 659 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 73% of Real Camera's written reviews are positive against 84% of Carat's.

Real Camera ships an update every 9 days, Carat every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 18, 2026 and October 21, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Real Camera | Carat |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/real-camera/id1263479702/reviews) | **[4.8 (659 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/carat-create-anything/id1600191019/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 2 | **659** |
| Positive reviews | 72.7% of reviews | **84.1% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 9 days | **Every 3 days** |
| Monetization | **Ad-supported** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 55 MB | 286 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.5** | 15.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 12+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Campus Friends](https://appshunter.io/developer/1745331214) | [Paradot Corp.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1600191021) |

## What reviewers say

### Real Camera

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/real-camera/id1263479702)

This app displays your true reflection by flipping the camera image, allowing you to compare how you see yourself versus how others perceive you. It includes a facial asymmetry test to analyze your face balance in real-time.

**Highlights:** Real-time mirror mode, Normal camera mode, Side-by-side preview, Facial asymmetry test, Face balance analysis, Capture face for analysis

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Remove Ads Forever | $8.99 | one-time |


### Carat

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/carat-create-anything/id1600191019)

This AI-powered app lets you create images and videos simply by chatting with your agent. It handles complex prompts and model selection, making advanced content generation accessible to everyone. Remix, edit, and share your creations with ease.

**Highlights:** AI image generation from text or sketches, AI video generation from images or text, Lip-sync and music video creation, Advanced editing and iteration, Access to multiple AI models, Remix and share content

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

**In-app purchases (16)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Carat Starter | $19.99 | per month |
| Carat Premium | $40.00 | per month |
| 100 Point Lens | $0.99 | one-time |
| 150P | $0.99 | one-time |
| 200 Point Lens | $1.49 | one-time |
| 300P | $2.49 | one-time |
| 300 Point Lens | $2.99 | one-time |
| 440P + Bonus Points | $3.49 | one-time |
| 500P | $3.99 | one-time |
| 600P | $4.99 | one-time |
| 1400P | $12.99 | one-time |
| Usage Plus | $22.99 | one-time |
| 3700P | $29.99 | one-time |
| Usage Boost | $44.99 | one-time |
| 7900P | $59.99 | one-time |
| 11900P | $99.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- ✨ High-quality AI photo generation
- 👍 User-friendly interface and navigation
- 🎨 Diverse and well-made AI templates
- 🤖 Multiple AI engines for better results
- ⚡ Fast and efficient processing

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🎨 Skin tone lightening in generated images
- ⏱️ Long processing times for image generation
- 💰 Point system limits messaging frequency
- 🔄 Recent UI changes confusing to users
- 🌍 Feature availability varies by region

**Reported bugs**

- Image generation fails after processing
- Filters no longer functional
- AI Character Chats unavailable outside Korea
- Non-English text in interface
- Pre-created AI options difficult to locate after recent changes

**Requested features**

- Direct save to iPhone photo library
- Reduced or eliminated point requirements for messaging
- Restore original pre-made AI photo options
- Restore filter functionality
- Restore AI Character Chat feature globally


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Real Camera free?

Real Camera is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Carat free?

Carat is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Real Camera or Carat?

Carat is rated higher. Real Camera averages 3.0 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while Carat averages 4.8 from 659 ratings.

### Do Real Camera or Carat have ads?

Both Real Camera and Carat show ads.

### Which is updated more often, Real Camera or Carat?

Real Camera ships an update every 9 days, and Carat every 3 days. Most recently, Real Camera was updated on October 18, 2026 and Carat on October 21, 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.*