HDRI vs HDRI Studio
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
HDRI
Create photorealistic 3D scenes with this powerful tool. It helps visualize virtual objects in real-world environments by capturing and processing 360 panoramic images for lighting and reflection.
- Photorealistic 3D image creation
- 360 panoramic camera control
- Lighting and reflection source for 3D scenes
- Supports HDR and EXR formats
- Ideal for VFX, AR, and VR applications
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The HDRI Application is a photorealistic 3D image creation helping tool. The HDRI Application works with a 360 panoramic camera (not supplied) and can be used in many fields, including: - cinematography, special effects - virtual reality - augmented reality The quality of display of a virtual object is key. Some situations require rendering virtual objects with a display that is similar to reality (the user must not be able to distinguish real objects from virtual objects, this is called photorealistic rendering). The virtual restitution of the various physical phenomena observed in reality requires a deep understanding of the scene and its environment (e.g. identification of light sources, their intensities, their temperatures, etc.). The HDRI Application allows you to take a number of photos using a 360 panoramic camera which can then be stitched together* to constitute a high-dynamic-range image (in HDR or EXR format). This image can then be used as a source of lighting and reflection for a 3D scene. *WARNING: The present version of the HDRI Application only allows you to control the 360 panoramic camera. The stitching of the photos (creation of a high-dynamic-range image in HDR or EXR format) must be carried out using a third-party application (e.g. Photoshop®, PTGui®...).
HDRI Studio
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Light your 3D scenes with real light. HDRI Studio turns the place you are standing in into a relative scene-linear, 32-bit OpenEXR (.exr) environment map for image-based lighting, realistic reflections, VFX, archviz, and product rendering. HDRI Studio guides your iPhone through 26 positions around a full sphere and automatically captures RAW exposure brackets when you are aimed and steady. Hosted processing merges the brackets, corrects the ultra-wide lens, and stitches a 360° equirectangular panorama. Save the finished .exr to Files or export it for use in any 3D or compositing tool that supports OpenEXR. No chrome ball, dedicated panorama camera, or capture rig is required. OUTPUT YOU CAN USE • RGB, 32-bit floating-point OpenEXR (.exr) • Exact 2:1 equirectangular 360° panorama • PIZ compression with linear Rec.709/D65 color metadata • 4K (4096 × 2048), with 8K (8192 × 4096) where available • Standard float channels for environment and world textures CAPTURE WITH CONFIDENCE • Guided 26-point coverage, including zenith and nadir • Configurable RAW exposure brackets and dynamic range • Automatic capture only when aimed and steady • Locked focus and white balance across the sphere • Lens calibration and measured device pose for stitching PREVIEW, INSPECT, EXPORT • Explore results in a swipe- and gyro-controlled 360° viewer • Adjust preview exposure from −4 to +6 EV without changing the EXR • Inspect dimensions, channels, compression, file size, peak and mean radiance, and contrast EV • Open compatible .exr files from Files and inspect them in your Library • Review every capture position and its brackets in the shot gallery • Reprocess a saved capture at another available resolution • Keep finished EXRs in your private iCloud Drive with iCloud Library (RAW brackets stay on device) • Export the complete original RAW bracket set plus capture metadata with Pro FOR REAL 3D WORKFLOWS Import the .exr as an environment or world texture for: • Image-based lighting and realistic reflections • Look development and rendering • VFX and compositing • Architecture and product visualization Use it in Blender, Unreal Engine, Nuke, Houdini, Cinema 4D, Maya, and other OpenEXR-compatible tools. Your captures remain yours to use in personal or commercial projects. NO ACCOUNT REQUIRED Capture, Library access, previews, and downloaded EXRs do not require a subscription. Two starter render credits are included. Additional hosted renders use one-time render credits or Pro. 4K uses one credit; 8K uses four. Failed or cancelled renders return reserved credits. Processing requires an internet connection. Captures and downloaded EXRs remain on your iPhone until you delete them. If you enable iCloud Library, finished EXRs, thumbnails, and Library metadata are also stored in your private iCloud Drive so they can be restored; original RAW brackets are not uploaded to iCloud. Temporary hosted results are retained privately for up to 7 days so interrupted downloads can resume. REQUIREMENTS • iOS 17 or later • An iPhone with a RAW-capable ultra-wide camera • Internet connection for processing Privacy Policy: https://hdristudio.app/privacy Terms of Use: https://hdristudio.app/terms Apple Standard EULA: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: HDRI Studio at Free against HDRI's $13.99. HDRI Studio also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 8 months). HDRI's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.0). On ads 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
HDRI Studio is free to download; HDRI costs $13.99 up front. HDRI Studio sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $19.99 per month. HDRI asks for nothing beyond the download.
HDRI ships an update every 8 months, HDRI Studio weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | HDRI | HDRI Studio |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $13.99 | Free — better |
| Update frequency | Every 8 months | Weekly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Paid | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 3 MB | 71 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Goldgewicht Consulting | Gianluca Gatto |
In-app purchases
HDRI
No in-app purchases
HDRI Studio
- Pro$19.991 Month
- 4K Render Credit$2.99
- 8K Render Credit$7.99









