Comparison

Lens Buddy vs Parallel Camera

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

Head to head
About

Lens Buddy

This app allows you to take hands-free photos and videos using a customizable timer. It's ideal for solo photoshoots, group pictures, and content creation, offering features like a photo booth mode and high-quality capture.

Highlights
  • Customizable timer
  • Photo Booth mode
  • High-quality photo capture
  • Video recording
  • Built-in gallery for rating and organizing
  • RAW photo support
  • Burst mode
Features
Read full description

Your ultimate handsfree camera experience is here! You take your own photos. Lens Buddy is a simple yet powerful timer camera app that will take pictures of you and your loved ones without the need to press buttons or even hold the device. Just set your desired time interval between the shots and let the camera roll! Leave your Bluetooth clicker home and do your own photoshoot! Take your social media presence to the next level! Once you finished taking your photos you can easily rate your pictures within the app that will help you to keep or export the best ones. Stop taking screenshots from videos - Lens Buddy offers higher quality photos and and easier way to take them! Want to take a group photo without having someone left out? Is there no one around to take a picture of you? Are you a content creator or a solo traveler? In need of building your Instagram feed? Do you need the best self timer app available? Simply put down your device on a safe place and let Lens Buddy make your perfect shot! FEATURES * [NEW] Photo Booth mode * 48MP capture * Video * Save photos to the app to keep your camera roll clean and use the built-in gallery to view, rate and organize your photos * Camera roll integration: save, sort into albums, view and manage your photos in the camera roll just like with the system camera app (optional, requires paid subscription) * RAW photo support (requires iOS 14.3, and available on Pro devices starting from iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max) * High quality photos * Live photos * Portrait mode * A clean, yet familiar and easy to use interface * Fully customizable timer * Sounds: Numerous sound effects and announcements help your photoshoot * Burst mode for super fast photography * Zoom, focus, exposure control * Aspect ratio: You can now snap your photos in either square or wide dimensions * Tracking focus: even if you move around the focus will follow you * Toggle between auto/on/off flash modes * Framing tools: Grid, level * Dark mode support Comments from you: "I love this app! I use is all the time for work and personal." "Just what I needed!" "Super easy and amazing!" "It’s literally perfect when you’re home alone and still want a cute outfit pic!" "This app is really helpful! Especially for those who are content creators like myself and take our own photos for work." Do you like Lens Buddy? Please don't forget to rate it in the App Store! It helps a lot. EULA https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Parallel Camera

Record videos and take photos simultaneously using your device's front and rear cameras. Choose from various split-screen or picture-in-picture layouts, customize borders, and select resolutions up to 4K.

Highlights
  • Dual camera photo and video recording
  • Split-screen and picture-in-picture views
  • Customizable border colors and shapes
  • Selectable resolutions (720p, 1080p, 4K)
  • Adjustable frame rates (24, 30, 60 fps)
  • Front screen flash and regular flash control
  • Grid overlay for precise framing
Features
Read full description

Parallel Camera – Capture Every Side of the Moment! Parallel Camera allows you to take pictures and shoot videos with both front and rear cameras at the same time! Capture every perspective with a split-screen effect or a picture-in-picture view and gain full control over how you frame your shot. Key Features Include: - Dual Camera Recording: Capture moments using both cameras at the same time in photo or video mode. Use both cameras simultaneously in photo or video mode. - Custom Layouts: For your secondary camera, choose a split-screen or floating window (square or circle). Change the border color and shape to make something unique. - Flexible Quality: Pick a suitable resolution - 720p, 1080p, or 4K. Adjust frame rates to 24, 30, or 60 fps to smoothen up your recording. - Front Screen Flash: Use the on-screen frame light to brighten your selfies; adjust the color to ensure the perfect glow. - Regular Flash Control: Use your flashlight to improve lighting conditions. - Grid Overlay: Add a grid to your viewfinder for more accurate and professional shots. Looking to make the most from every single shot? Let Parallel Camera lead the way! Experiment with your photos and videos like never before. Take charge of every shot; it’s that easy! Unlock exclusive features with the Premium version: Capture Unlimited Videos Frames Collection Updates Save Without Watermarks No Ads, No Limits Subscription Details: Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. Subscription with a free trial period will automatically renew to a paid subscription. Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period at the rate of the selected plan. Subscriptions and auto-renewal may be managed by going to Account Settings after purchase. You can cancel your subscription or free trial in the iTunes settings at least 24-hours before the end of the free trial period. The cancellation will take effect the day after the last day of the current subscription period and you will be downgraded to the free service. Subscription Options: Weekly: $2.99 3 Months: $9.99 For other currencies, the price corresponds to the same tier on the App Store Pricing Matrix. Privacy policy: https://sites.google.com/view/scelcunovairina/Privacy-Policy Terms of use: https://sites.google.com/view/scelcunovairina/terms

Screenshots

Lens Buddy4 screens
Parallel Camera4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Lens Buddy at 94% against Parallel Camera's 33%. Lens Buddy also leads on rating (4.9 vs 4.0) and ads (none vs shown). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. Lens Buddy sells 12 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days and Parallel Camera sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Lens Buddy holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Lens Buddy has 34K ratings behind it against 7, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 94% of Lens Buddy's written reviews are positive against 33% of Parallel Camera's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Lens Buddy ships an update every 2 weeks, Parallel Camera fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
Lens Buddy versus Parallel Camera: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLens BuddyParallel Camera
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (34K ratings) — better4.0 (7 ratings)
Positive reviews94.4% of reviews — better33.3% of reviews
Number of ratings34K — better7
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterFortnightly
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#143 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size33 MB66 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLens Buddy Selfie Timer Photo Video Filter Camera LLCIrina Scelcunova

Customer experience

Lens Buddy

All ratings34,046 ratings
Positive97.6%
Neutral1.3%
Negative1.0%
Written reviews994 reviews
Positive94.4%
Neutral1.8%
Negative3.8%

Parallel Camera

All ratings7 ratings
Positive71.4%
Neutral0.0%
Negative28.6%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive33.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative66.7%

Bugs and requests

Lens Buddy

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Photos not saving in order
  • Inconsistent photo count between app and export

Requested features

4 requests
  • Ability to invert camera view
  • Option to only save liked/approved photos
  • Zip/batch photo export
  • Apple Watch integration as a viewfinder

Parallel Camera

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

12 purchases

Lens Buddy

Subscriptions12
  • Weekly PRO3 Days trial$2.997 Days
  • Weekly PRO2 variants$2.997 Days
  • Weekly PRO$4.997 Days
Show 9 more
  • Monthly PRO2 variants$4.991 Month
  • Monthly PRO$9.991 Month
  • Special$14.991 Year
  • Special$19.991 Year
  • Yearly PRO3 Days trial$29.991 Year
  • Yearly PRO$29.991 Year
  • Yearly PRO7 Days trial$29.991 Year
  • Yearly PRO3 Days trial$39.991 Year
  • Yearly PRO7 Days trial$39.991 Year
2 purchases

Parallel Camera

Subscriptions2
  • GoSelfie premium7 Days trial$2.997 Days
  • GoSelfie 3 months premium$9.993 Months

Questions

Is Lens Buddy free?
Lens Buddy is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Parallel Camera free?
Parallel Camera is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Lens Buddy or Parallel Camera?
Lens Buddy is rated higher. Lens Buddy averages 4.9 out of 5 from 34K ratings, while Parallel Camera averages 4.0 from 7 ratings.
Do Lens Buddy or Parallel Camera have ads?
Parallel Camera shows ads; Lens Buddy does not.
Which is updated more often, Lens Buddy or Parallel Camera?
Lens Buddy ships an update every 2 weeks, and Parallel Camera fortnightly. Most recently, Lens Buddy was updated on September 24, 2026 and Parallel Camera on September 21, 2026.

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