Comparison

Cyclops AR vs Simulon

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

Simulon

Create studio-quality visual effects by integrating photorealistic 3D elements into live-action footage. This tool offers an end-to-end VFX workflow on iPhone, from capture to render, adapting to all skill levels. Preview 3D assets in-camera as you film and reconstruct environments in 3D for precise compositing.

Highlights
  • End-to-end VFX workflow on iPhone
  • In-camera CG preview while filming
  • Instant 32-bit HDR lighting
  • Reconstruct reality in 3D
  • Camera-accurate realism
  • Import industry-standard 3D files
  • Cloud render farm integration
Read full description

Simulon is a high-fidelity visual effects tool designed for creators and studios who demand uncompromising quality. Whether you’re new to 3D or an experienced artist, Simulon makes it effortless to integrate photorealistic 3D elements into live-action footage with precision and ease. • End-to-end VFX workflow on iPhone – From capture to final render, the entire pipeline is unified into one app. • Adapts to every skill level – Accessible for beginners, powerful for pros. Capabilities scale with your expertise. • In-Camera CG as you film – Preview and frame 3D assets directly in the iPhone viewfinder while recording, so shots are composed right the first time. • Instant 32-bit HDR lighting - Simulon generates a full 360° HDRI in seconds. No special gear or software required. • Reconstruct reality in 3D – Reconstruct your environment as a scale-accurate 3D mesh with world anchors, ready for occlusion, shadows, and set extensions. • Camera-accurate realism – Emulates iPhone sensor data to match light, color, depth, and motion frame-by-frame. • Fast asset pipeline – Import industry-standard 3D files in minutes. • Desktop integration – Remote authoring and non-destructive sync with Blender via • Cloud render farm. On demand - Distributed path-traced renders up to 4K. Multi-layer EXRs when you need them. Copyright Policy, Privacy Policy, Terms & Conditions - https://simulon.com/legal

Screenshots

Cyclops AR4 screens
Simulon4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Simulon at 4.4 against Cyclops AR's 3.7. Simulon also leads on monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs subscription) and update cadence (every 5 days vs monthly). Cyclops AR's advantage is iOS requirement (16.0 vs 18.6). On price, review sentiment, 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 Simulon sells 16 in-app purchases, starting at $15.00 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Simulon holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 3.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Simulon has 29 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 67% of Cyclops AR's written reviews are positive against 64% of Simulon's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Cyclops AR ships an update monthly, Simulon every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on July 23, 2026 and August 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Cyclops AR versus Simulon: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCyclops ARSimulon
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.7 (3 ratings)4.4 (29 ratings) — better
Positive reviews66.7% of reviews — better64.3% of reviews
Number of ratings329 — better
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 5 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationSubscriptionFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS16.0 — better18.6
Further details — not scored
Size442 MB877 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperThe Third Floor, IncSimulon

Customer experience

Cyclops AR

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

Simulon

All ratings29 ratings
Positive86.2%
Neutral0.0%
Negative13.8%
Written reviews14 reviews
Positive64.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative35.7%

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
16 purchases

Simulon

Subscriptions8
  • Lite7 Days trial$15.001 Month
  • Plus7 Days trial$24.991 Month
  • Core$29.001 Month
Show 5 more
  • Pro7 Days trial$55.001 Month
  • Lite7 Days trial$143.991 Year
  • Studio$200.001 Month
  • Plus7 Days trial$239.001 Year
  • Pro7 Days trial$529.001 Year
One-time8
  • 10,000 Credits$5.00
  • 20,000 Credits$10.00
  • 30,000 Credits$15.00
Show 5 more
  • 50,000 Credits$25.00
  • 80,000 Credits$40.00
  • 90,000 Credits$45.00
  • 180,000 Credits$90.00
  • 200,000 Credits$100.00

Questions

Is Cyclops AR free?
Cyclops AR is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Simulon free?
Simulon is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Cyclops AR or Simulon?
Simulon is rated higher. Cyclops AR averages 3.7 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while Simulon averages 4.4 from 29 ratings.
Do Cyclops AR or Simulon have ads?
Neither Cyclops AR nor Simulon shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Cyclops AR or Simulon?
Cyclops AR ships an update monthly, and Simulon every 5 days. Most recently, Cyclops AR was updated on July 23, 2026 and Simulon on August 1, 2026.

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