Comparison

DJI Ronin vs Hand Slate

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

Head to head
About

DJI Ronin

Control and customize your DJI gimbal with this app. Features include automated motor tuning, adaptive motion tracking, pre-planned shot creation, and real-time gimbal data. Optimize your filmmaking workflow with advanced settings and diagnostics.

Highlights
  • Automated motor tuning
  • Adaptive SmoothTrack motion
  • CamAnchor and Track mode
  • Live gimbal data feed
  • Gimbal parameter management
Features
Read full description

Personalize your Ronin shooting experience with the latest Ronin app from DJI. You can access and manage gimbal motor parameters, SmoothTrack, remote setup, and Ronin’s unique Axis Modes. 1.Easy, automated motor tuning With Auto Tune, Ronin app can adjust motor parameters automatically based off the payload mounted. With such base line, you can further adjust the Stiffness, Strength, Control and Filter parameters accordingly. 2.Adaptive SmoothTrack When Acceleration is set to be much higher than Speed, the Ronin will handle operator’s movements adaptively. You can achieve a complicated long take with only one group of settings. 3.Create with ease With the newly added CamAnchor and Track mode, you can plan your shot in advance and execute it by a simple click. 4.Live gimbal data feed Access gimbal operation data in real time and diagnose gimbal status.

About

Hand Slate

This app offers a digital clapperboard experience with freehand writing capabilities. Utilize pen and pencil brushes with various colors and easily erase or clear your notes. A lock feature prevents accidental edits, and multiple style modes personalize the interface.

Highlights
  • Digital clapperboard functionality
  • Freehand writing with pen/pencil
  • 10 color options
  • Eraser and clear canvas
  • Undo/redo actions
  • Editing lock feature
  • Nine style modes
Features
Read full description

Hand Slate is a professional digital clapperboard designed for iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch, crafted for seamless handwriting with Apple Pencil. It allows you to quickly capture ideas with freehand writing, using two brush types—pen and pencil—and 10 beautiful color options for a personalized touch. Mistakes can be easily erased, and you can also clear the canvas with a single tap. The app supports undo and redo actions, giving you full control over your notes. A lock feature is also available: when you don’t need to make changes, simply tap the “Lock” button to disable text editing. Unlock it anytime to resume editing. Additionally, nine unique style modes allow you to select the interface that best suits your preferences. With a clean, user-friendly interface, this app provides a practical and professional solution for digital slating.

Screenshots

DJI Ronin4 screens
Hand Slate4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: DJI Ronin at Free against Hand Slate's $4.99. DJI Ronin also leads on update cadence (every 2 months vs every 16 months) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.2). Hand Slate's advantage is review sentiment (50% vs 30%). On ads, in-app purchases 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

DJI Ronin is free to download; Hand Slate costs $4.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

DJI Ronin ships an update every 2 months, Hand Slate every 16 months. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and October 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
DJI Ronin versus Hand Slate: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDJI RoninHand Slate
PriceFree — better$4.99
Rating4.7 (8.2K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews29.8% of reviews50.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings8.2K — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 16 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree — betterPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better17.2
Further details — not scored
Size320 MB4 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDJI庆猛 邓

Customer experience

DJI Ronin

All ratings7,485 ratings
Positive92.9%
Neutral2.1%
Negative5.0%
Written reviews382 reviews
Positive29.8%
Neutral11.3%
Negative58.9%

Hand Slate

Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

Bugs and requests

DJI Ronin

Reported bugs

6 issues
  • Firmware update gets stuck at 80%
  • Ronin SC motor issues after firmware update
  • Raveneye not working with app, no video feed
  • Active track loses subject when they exit and re-enter frame
  • Panorama function broken with additive overlap
Show 1 more
  • Joystick and other controls not working after updates

Requested features

7 requests
  • Add anamorphic de-squeeze options
  • Allow storing manual focus settings with motion presets
  • Implement dual device usage for active track and gimbal configuration
  • Add loop/repeat function for keyframes
  • Enable focus control in keyframe mode
Show 2 more
  • Provide full-screen mode support for iPad
  • Add camera control features like ISO, shutter, aperture

Hand Slate

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

DJI Ronin

No in-app purchases

None

Hand Slate

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is DJI Ronin free?
DJI Ronin is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Hand Slate free?
Hand Slate costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do DJI Ronin or Hand Slate have ads?
Neither DJI Ronin nor Hand Slate shows ads.
Which is updated more often, DJI Ronin or Hand Slate?
DJI Ronin ships an update every 2 months, and Hand Slate every 16 months. Most recently, DJI Ronin was updated on November 1, 2026 and Hand Slate on October 20, 2026.

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