Comparison

Aurora vs Clay

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

Head to head
About

Aurora

Easily create aesthetic social media stories and posts in minutes. Offers instant template creation, photo and video editing with film emulations, and a vast library of design elements like stickers, backgrounds, and fonts.

Highlights
  • Instant story creation with one-tap templates
  • Photo and video editing with film emulations
  • Diverse design library with stickers and backgrounds
  • Handcrafted templates for social media
  • Customizable text with various fonts
  • Realistic overlays for enhanced designs
Features
Read full description

We created Aurora to make it really simple to create stories with soul. Aurora is the simplest design tool that allows anyone to create aesthetic social media stories and posts - what used to take an hour on your laptop will now just take a few minutes anywhere you are. We believe the joy of design should never be only for those who can afford to pay. That is why half of Aurora will always be free. > Freely design layouts Create any design or layout that you can imagine in Aurora, you can even save them for later. > Aurora Instant Create stories in one-tap - Simply select your photos and Aurora will automatically insert them into all possible templates, all you have to do is choose your favorite and share! > Aurora Studio Edit Photo and Video with handcrafted film emulations, allowing you to age your content for a nostalgic vibe. Just some of the design possibilities with Aurora: - Moodboards - Collages - Social Media Stories - Social Media Posts - Wallpapers - And so much more Aurora is a celebration of your memories. Frame the memory, join the club. We publish only the best designs that we come up with. And yes, half of the app will always be free as we know that not everyone can afford to pay for premium features. We want all of you to be able to express your most authentic selves through design, regardless of money or if you’re a paying or free user. Feel good about your stories! A diverse design library filled with realistic textures • Stickers: Pins and tape, text backgrounds, paper tears, abstract art, butterflies, silhouettes, flowers, basic shapes, darkroom doodles and much more. • Backgrounds: Walls, Paper, Marble, Water, Retro Gradients, Abstract Art and more. • Text: A collection of handpicked fonts because typography matters. From Serif, Sans Serif, Handwritten, Typewriters, Monospaced and more. • Overlays: Elevate your designs with realistic overlays that include Shadows, Light, Dust & Grain. Templates: Easily create beautiful content for social with over 300+ handcrafted templates. Start with an editable template in Canvas when you’re feeling creative or get a beautiful looking design quickly with our Gallery templates. "Sharing stories should be stress-free." We are the stories we tell. No one is you, that’s your power. The stories we share are uniquely beautiful because only we were a part of it. So tell your stories, because no one else can, Let your memories unfold into beautiful designs with Aurora. Love, Two Fellow Humans from Aurora Join us on our journey at @theauroraclub on Instagram, or dm us about anything. “Being our messy, imperfect, authentic selves helps create a space where others feel safe to be themselves too. Your vulnerability can be a gift to others.” @b.oakman ------------------------------ We love hearing your ideas, thoughts & feedback. Email us at hello@theauroraclub.com or DM us on Instagram at @theauroraclub. ------------------------------ About The Aurora Club Show some love by joining The Aurora Club. Being a member gives you access to the entire app. It goes a long way towards the development of Aurora. · Simplest way to create stories with soul · Access to all new design library updates · Cancel anytime After the one month free trial, this subscription will automatically auto-renew each year. Or if you choose a monthly subscription, your billing will start immediately and auto-renew each month. Subscriptions will automatically renew unless cancelled within 24 hours before the end of the current period. Payment will be charged to your Apple ID account at the confirmation of purchase. If you subscribe before a free trial ends, the remainder of the trial period will be forfeited. You can manage and cancel your subscription by going to your account settings in the App Store. Privacy Policy: https://theauroraclub.com/privacy Terms of Use: https://theauroraclub.com/terms

About

Clay

Easily create professional social media content in seconds with customizable templates. Add your photos, text, and graphics to design engaging posts, stories, and ads for any platform.

Highlights
  • Hundreds of ready-to-use templates
  • Import photos and videos
  • Add text, filters, and stickers
  • Background removal tool
  • Export for multiple social platforms
  • Create brand marketing posts
Features
Read full description

Clay lets anyone design engaging social media content in seconds. It is the perfect companion for business owners and influencers who do not have hours to spend in front of editing software because they are busy getting stuff done. HOW TO USE CLAY 1) Select a template We created hundreds of gorgeous designs to help you sell your products, advertise your services, or grow your following. You just gotta pick the one that matches your creative style! 2) Import your pictures or video Pic collage, video collage, wallpapers, polaroid frames, borders for pictures, photo maker, animated story maker, highlights, we got them all. Just choose your content and we will make it engaging. 3) (Optional) Add some text, visual filters, stickers, remove background, or move things around Clay is your creative canvas, your Story lab, your post and story maker. Opacity controls, font colors, and background removal at your fingertips. 4) Save or share! Our export formats and aspect ratios support Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, WeChat, WhatsApp, Pinterest, TikTok, and any other platform of your choice, so you can also create your content for all platforms in one go. STUNNING, READY-TO-POST TEMPLATES • Over 200 unique templates for you to use • Dozens of fresh fonts to make your story stand out • Tell your story just how you imagined it • Categories: Collage, Story, Post, Advertising, Logo, Wallpaper, Inspirational Quotes, Advertising, Highlights for Instagram, Business EASY FOR EVERYONE • Spend less time learning graphic design tools and more time creating • Add your photos, change colors, add text: make something amazing! • Remove the photo background in just one click • No account required. Download the app and start creating right away • Save your creations to your Photo library and share them on social media CREATE YOUR BRAND • Create attractive marketing posts. No need to hire a graphic designer or marketing agency! • Impress your audience and enhance your stories • Promote your business with professional-quality designs AN IN-APP MAGAZINE DEDICATED TO YOU • Tutorials for beginners and life-long learners • Tips and listicles on how to design beautiful content fast and easy • Interactive blog posts explaining how to use features in the app • Articles focused on marketing, beauty, and fashion GO PREMIUM TO BE YOUR ABSOLUTE BEST •Unlock all unique template designs •Create and save your own templates •Gain access to special effects, like removing the photo background Subscriptions will automatically renew unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. The account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours before the end of the current period. Payment will be charged to your App Store account at confirmation of purchase. You can manage or turn off auto-renew in your Apple ID account settings any time after purchase. Privacy Policy and Terms of Use: https://clayeditor.com/terms-conditions

Screenshots

Aurora4 screens
Clay4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ratings volume: Clay at 15K against Aurora's 133. Clay also leads on chart position (#111 vs unranked) and device support (4 vs 2). On price, rating, review sentiment and update cadence 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. Aurora sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days and Clay sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Aurora against 4.7 for Clay. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Clay has 15K ratings behind it against 133, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 55% of Aurora's written reviews are positive against 53% of Clay's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Aurora ships an update every 3 weeks, Clay every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 8 level
Aurora versus Clay: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAuroraClay
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (133 ratings)4.7 (15K ratings)
Positive reviews55.0% of reviews — better53.1% of reviews
Number of ratings13315K — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFreemium
Best chart rank#111 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better
Requires iOS15.014.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size281 MB161 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperFeels Like Aurora Pte. Ltd.Plexagon s.r.l.

Customer experience

Aurora

All ratings133 ratings
Positive94.0%
Neutral1.5%
Negative4.5%
Written reviews80 reviews
Positive55.0%
Neutral12.5%
Negative32.5%

Clay

All ratings15,353 ratings
Positive91.0%
Neutral3.3%
Negative5.7%
Written reviews497 reviews
Positive53.1%
Neutral8.5%
Negative38.4%

Bugs and requests

Aurora

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Clay

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Templates not loading properly
  • Inability to upload own images
  • Text formatting issues when exporting
  • Glitches when switching between templates

Requested features

4 requests
  • More free templates and customization options
  • Ability to save and edit projects
  • Improved text editing and positioning tools
  • Compatibility with older devices

In-app purchases

10 purchases

Aurora

Subscriptions3
  • Weekly Access3 Days trial$3.997 Days
  • Aurora Club Monthly Membership$9.991 Month
  • Aurora Club Yearly Membership3 Days trial$59.991 Year
One-time7
  • Field Notes Series One$1.99
  • Analog Series One$1.99
  • Editorial Series One$1.99
Show 4 more
  • Film Series Two$1.99
  • Field Notes Series Two$1.99
  • Instant Series Two$1.99
  • Paper Series One$1.99
10 purchases

Clay

Subscriptions10
  • Highlight Premium II7 Days trial$4.997 Days
  • Clay Pro Weekly7 Days trial$4.997 Days
  • Clay Weekly$4.997 Days
Show 7 more
  • Clay Weekly7 Days trial$4.997 Days
  • Clay Plus Weekly$4.997 Days
  • Clay Plus Weekly Trial7 Days trial$4.997 Days
  • Clay Pro Weekly$9.997 Days
  • Clay Pro Weekly Trial7 Days trial$9.997 Days
  • Yearly Subscription$69.991 Year
  • Clay Pro Yearly7 Days trial$69.991 Year

Questions

Is Aurora free?
Aurora is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Clay free?
Clay is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Aurora or Clay?
Aurora and Clay are both rated 4.7 out of 5 on the App Store, from 133 and 15K ratings respectively.
Do Aurora or Clay have ads?
Neither Aurora nor Clay shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Aurora or Clay?
Aurora ships an update every 3 weeks, and Clay every 2 weeks. Most recently, Aurora was updated on September 22, 2026 and Clay on September 24, 2026.

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