# Polaroid vs INSTAX Pal

The clearest difference is ratings volume: Polaroid at 19K against INSTAX Pal's 746. Polaroid also leads on monetization model (free vs ad-supported) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months). On price, rating, review sentiment and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for Polaroid against 4.8 for INSTAX Pal. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Polaroid has 19K ratings behind it against 746, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 61% of Polaroid's written reviews are positive against 55% of INSTAX Pal's.

Polaroid ships an update every 3 weeks, INSTAX Pal every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Polaroid | INSTAX Pal |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.9 (19K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/polaroid/id1421833880/reviews)** | [4.8 (746 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/instax-pal/id6447023690/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **19K** | 746 |
| Positive reviews | **61.0% of reviews** | 55.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | **Free** | Ad-supported |
| Size | 215 MB | 1.1 GB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **16.0** |
| Devices | iPhone | **iPhone, iPad** |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Polaroid](https://appshunter.io/developer/1672986472) | [FUJIFILM Corporation](https://appshunter.io/developer/412362805) |

## What reviewers say

### Polaroid

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/polaroid/id1421833880)

This app enhances the analog Polaroid experience by connecting to compatible cameras for advanced features. It also includes a high-resolution scanner for digitizing physical prints and allows users to print photos from their phone.

**Highlights:** Connect compatible Polaroid cameras, Advanced camera modes (Portrait, Double Exposure), High-resolution Polaroid scanner, Print phone photos as Polaroid pictures, Create photo grids and collages, Digital scrapbook for memories

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Great app features
- 👍 User-friendly and intuitive
- 💡 Useful scanning and sharing capabilities
- 🎨 Enhances analog Polaroid experience
- 📷 Seamless integration with Polaroid cameras

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional bugs and crashes
- 🔋 Issues with photo printing and exposure
- 💰 Expensive film and accessories
- 🤔 Limited editing and customization options

**Reported bugs**

- Compatibility issues with newer iPhone models
- Printing problems with Polaroid Lab device
- Unreliable Bluetooth connection with cameras
- Scanning feature not working consistently

**Requested features**

- Self-timer option in manual mode
- Ability to customize AR photo display
- Quicker access to frequently used settings
- Improved photo library organization


### INSTAX Pal

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/instax-pal/id6447023690)

Connect your INSTAX Pal device via Bluetooth to unlock enhanced shooting modes and creative possibilities. This application expands the functionality of your instant camera, offering new ways to capture and share your memories.

**Highlights:** Bluetooth connectivity, Enhanced shooting modes, Expanded camera functionality, Creative shooting options

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 💖 Best investment
- 🤩 Súper cool camera
- 👍 Easy to use
- 📸 Fun camera to use
- 💡 Remote shooting option

**What reviewers complain about**

- 😠 Setup issues with serial number
- 🔒 Unnecessary photo permissions
- 🐛 Animation sharing broken
- 🐛 QR code errors
- 🐛 App crashes during editing

**Reported bugs**

- Serial number not accepted during setup
- App requires full photo access
- Animated photo sharing broken
- QR code leads to error page
- App crashes during photo editing

**Requested features**

- Add support for Evo Wide
- Improve photo resolution transfer
- Add basic settings to main page
- Allow text box repositioning on frame
- Add swipe selection for photos


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Polaroid free?

Polaroid is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is INSTAX Pal free?

INSTAX Pal is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Polaroid or INSTAX Pal?

Polaroid is rated higher. Polaroid averages 4.9 out of 5 from 19K ratings, while INSTAX Pal averages 4.8 from 746 ratings.

### Do Polaroid or INSTAX Pal have ads?

Neither Polaroid nor INSTAX Pal shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Polaroid or INSTAX Pal?

Polaroid ships an update every 3 weeks, and INSTAX Pal every 2 months. Most recently, Polaroid was updated on November 6, 2026 and INSTAX Pal on November 5, 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.*