Comparison

Cyclops AR vs FrameUp

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

Head to head
About

Cyclops AR

Visualize digital assets and architectural designs in real-world environments using augmented reality. Professionals can preview CG characters, set extensions, and building proposals directly on location, enhancing pre-production and design workflows.

Highlights
  • AR visualization of digital assets
  • Real-time animation and lighting
  • Google Maps integration with sun path
  • Professional camera and lens matching
  • Import/export with Unreal Engine
  • AI People compositing
  • Lidar for holdout geometry
Read full description

Cyclops is an advanced AR visualization tool for film/TV and architecture, relied on by industry professionals to easily visualize ideas in the real world. See digital creatures, set extensions or designs in context with actual sets, actors and locations. Scout building sites and design proposals aligned to real geography. Whether the content you are creating will be virtual or real, you can use Cyclops anywhere to provide a new perspective on the world. Use Cyclops anywhere to put your virtual ideas into real-world context. For VFX Crew Visualize CG characters, creatures and set extensions on set or on location, with simulcam-like capabilities in real time. Integrate VFX elements with powerful compositing tools. Preview, share and discuss how VFX elements will integrate into shots while scouting and shooting. For Directors, Cinematographers, & Camera Operators Block shots and create photoboards in AR or in Google Maps. “Find” shots by framing up virtual and real storytelling elements. Scout camera coverage, lenses and real locations to help prepare shot lists and shooting plans. Use as a digital viewfinder to properly review VFX shots with proper camera lens matching. For Designers & Architects Visualize architecture projects in AR to see and share how designs fit the real world. Visualize designs in Google Maps to explore and present a proposed build within the actual geography. Create scenarios for lighting or drop in posed humans to capture video with scale reference. Features & Tools: Import your own FBX/OBJ models or export assets and levels from Unreal Real-time animation, lighting and FX adjustment tools Search-and-explore via Google Maps, with correct sun path information Professional cinema camera & lens matching Scene organization tools, including outliner, layers and bookmarks Asset tools to move, rotate, & scale objects in the scene Take photos and record videos with metadata/camera data Export recorded cameras into Unreal Game controller support Range finder and measuring tape tool Robust animation playback controls – scrub, adjust playback speed, set in/out points, & more Built-in Photo and Video Gallery with custom info, metadata and sharing Seamless import/export with Unreal Engine Secure content delivery system AI People compositing Chromakey Scene Lidar for holdout geometry Built-in GPS alignment Point Cloud Anchor tools to correctly save and load CG models in real-world locations Scene-saving tools Create your own complex assets in Unreal with different color, texture, or material options Multiple operation modes, including Asset Mode, Shot Mode, VCAM Mode and Maps Mode Secure platform. All content is stored on your device with no rendering in the cloud. Hundreds of user-driven tools and features Additional Info: Cyclops is a subscription-based app. Multiple subscription levels and time frames are offered to fit user and project needs. Maps - access to Maps Mode only Assets - access to Maps and Asset modes Pro - access to all modes. You can enjoy a 1-week free trial. iOS or iPadOS 16 or newer is required. For the best experience with Cyclops, a 2021 or newer iPad Pro is recommended. Please see our website for more info, tutorials & support. http://cyclops.thethirdfloorinc.com

About

FrameUp

Visualize and craft your shots with a professional director's viewfinder. Simulate lenses, sensors, and aspect ratios, then save frames with metadata for collaboration. Optimized for performance and intuitive use.

Highlights
  • Full-screen viewfinder
  • Stills capture with metadata
  • Stills library
  • Large camera and sensor library
  • Optical adapter simulation
  • LUTs support
  • Customizable overlays
Read full description

FrameUp is the essential director’s viewfinder for professional filmmakers. It combines an uncompromised viewfinder with highly customizable and intuitive controls to help you visualize and create your best shots. Using your phone, you can simulate any combination of lenses and sensors, while aspect ratio overlays allow you to monitor exactly what will appear in the final image. When you find the frame you like, just double-tap to save an image with metadata burned in to share with collaborators. Features: Full-Screen Viewfinder by Default – FrameUp focuses on the viewfinder. As soon as you launch the app, you are greeted with a large viewfinder without distractions. This lets you immediately start lining up your shots. Stills Capture – Double tap on the viewfinder or use iPhone 16’s Camera Control to capture a still of your frame. These stills include information about the lens, sensor, and aspect ratio used; ideal for sharing location scout previsualizations with your team. Stills Library – FrameUp Pro's built-in stills library allows you to quickly reference your frames on set. Location information, heading, and configuration information are saved for easy access. (FrameUp's base version saves stills to your phone camera roll.) Large Library of Included Cameras – FrameUp is updated regularly with camera support. It’s easy to file a request for your specific camera. Sensor Formats – Specify which mode your sensor is in. For example, Super 35, Anamorphic, DCI 4k, etc... Support for more cameras is prioritized by popular request. Fully Featured Base Version – The base version of FrameUp has all the features needed to craft shots; a great option for students and budget filmmakers. The optional pro upgrade brings more customizable features, professional workflows, and removes the minimal FrameUp branding on the viewfinder. Navigable With Muscle Memory – Use swipes and gestures to control FrameUp without having to search for buttons. Intuitive Quick Settings – One tap brings up a customizable quick settings screen, which allows you to configure FrameUp without leaving the viewfinder. Optical Adapters – Accurately simulate teleconverters and speed boosters within FrameUp. LUTs Support – Import and monitor show LUTs right in your viewfinder. .cube LUTs are supported in REC.709 and ACES CCT colorspaces, allowing you to use the LUTs you already have. Overlays – Use and customize professional overlays to help you frame your image. Includes support for the golden ratio, a secondary aspect ratio, customizable grids, and more. You can optionally export your images with overlays burned in. Designed for Performance – FrameUp’s image pipeline is optimized for Metal and your iPhone’s GPU, resulting in a smooth and responsive experience. Broad Lens Set and Camera Support – Choose from a large library of sensors and lens sets to quickly configure FrameUp to match your setup. Refined for Professional Workflows – FrameUp has been designed for use on fast-moving film sets. You can lock in your sensors, focal lengths, and aspect ratios for your project ahead of time to reduce cognitive load during production. Lock Screen Launch – Access FrameUp quickly straight from an iOS 18 Lock Screen control. Camera Control – Use the iPhone 16 series Camera Control to easily change essential viewfinder settings and capture stills. Privacy and security are core to FrameUp; personal information is not collected, and there are no ads. Promotional stills from the music video Two Kinds of Sadness by Box of Matches

Screenshots

Cyclops AR4 screens
FrameUp4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: FrameUp at 4.9 against Cyclops AR's 3.7. FrameUp also leads on monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs subscription) and review sentiment (93% vs 67%). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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. Cyclops AR sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month and FrameUp sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

FrameUp holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 3.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: FrameUp has 17 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 67% of Cyclops AR's written reviews are positive against 93% of FrameUp's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Cyclops AR ships an update monthly, FrameUp every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Cyclops AR versus FrameUp: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCyclops ARFrameUp
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.7 (3 ratings)4.9 (17 ratings) — better
Positive reviews66.7% of reviews93.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings317 — better
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationSubscriptionFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.0 — better17.4
Further details — not scored
Size442 MB26 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperThe Third Floor, IncRonan Furuta

Customer experience

Cyclops AR

All ratings3 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%

FrameUp

All ratings17 ratings
Positive94.1%
Neutral5.9%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews15 reviews
Positive93.3%
Neutral6.7%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

10 purchases

Cyclops AR

Subscriptions10
  • Maps Monthly7 Days trial$1.991 Month
  • Assets Weekly7 Days trial$4.997 Days
  • Maps 6 Months7 Days trial$5.996 Months
Show 7 more
  • Pro Weekly7 Days trial$9.997 Days
  • Maps Yearly7 Days trial$9.991 Year
  • Assets Monthly7 Days trial$14.991 Month
  • Pro Monthly7 Days trial$24.991 Month
  • Assets 6 Months7 Days trial$79.996 Months
  • Pro 6 Months7 Days trial$124.996 Months
  • Assets Yearly7 Days trial$150.001 Year
1 purchases

FrameUp

One-time1
  • FrameUp PRO$14.99

Questions

Is Cyclops AR free?
Cyclops AR is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is FrameUp free?
FrameUp is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Cyclops AR or FrameUp?
FrameUp is rated higher. Cyclops AR averages 3.7 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while FrameUp averages 4.9 from 17 ratings.
Do Cyclops AR or FrameUp have ads?
Neither Cyclops AR nor FrameUp shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Cyclops AR or FrameUp?
Cyclops AR ships an update monthly, and FrameUp every 3 weeks. Most recently, Cyclops AR was updated on October 24, 2026 and FrameUp on October 24, 2026.

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