Comparison

HDR Max vs HDR Effect Camera

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

Head to head
About

HDR Max

Enhance your photos with powerful HDR effects and a comprehensive suite of editing tools. This app simplifies professional-level edits with real-time previews and a streamlined interface, allowing you to create detailed and unique images.

Highlights
  • Powerful HDR effects
  • Integrated photo gallery
  • Extensive color filters
  • Special effects (mirror, sketch, glitch)
  • Essential editing tools (contrast, brightness)
  • Unlimited undo
Features
Read full description

HDR Max provides you with all the tools you need to bring out the best in your photos. The unique filtering technology enables you to enhance your images with powerful HDR effects without the hassle of multiple exposures. Your images will be full of details like never before. HDR Max is a full-featured pro photo editor with an integrated set of flexible tools. The streamlined design of the app makes it simple to use yet powerful: you can start making professional level edits without spending hours watching tutorials. All filters and effects have fast and accurate real-time previews. High-performance rendering makes experimenting a breeze. Get HDR Max now and experience powerful editing made simple! Features • HDR effects: dynamically adjust global and local contrast levels independently to bring out details and create a unique look for your photos • Integrated photo gallery • Pinch-to-zoom • Adjustable split screen A/B view • Unlimited undo • Extensive set of color filters for one-tap enhancement • Special effects: mirror/reflection, sketch/cartoon, miniature/tilt-shift, glitch effects and many more • The essentials: contrast, brightness, saturation, exposure and color temperature • Color balance • Sharpening • Vignette for retro look • Straighten image, adjust horizon • Cropping • Flip/mirror • Orientation Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

HDR Effect Camera

Effortlessly create stunning HDR photos with this app. It automatically captures and combines multiple exposures into a single, high-dynamic-range image. Save directly to your library or share your creations instantly.

Highlights
  • 4K & XDR support
  • Automatic HDR photo creation
  • Capture from any lens
  • Multiple HDR filters
  • Direct photo saving
  • In-app sharing
Features
Read full description

12MP and XDR support. With one tap, capture 4 photos (with different exposures) and auto combine them into one HDR photo. Photos are directly saved to your photo library. Capture from any supported lens on the device. There are multiple HDR filters. You can also share the HDR photo directly from the app.

Screenshots

HDR Max4 screens
HDR Effect Camera4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: HDR Max at 4.7 against HDR Effect Camera's 2.4. HDR Max also leads on review sentiment (76% vs 40%) and ratings volume (431 vs 5). HDR Effect Camera's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2). On price, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. HDR Max sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. HDR Effect Camera asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

HDR Max holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 2.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: HDR Max has 431 ratings behind it against 5, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 76% of HDR Max's written reviews are positive against 40% of HDR Effect Camera's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

HDR Max ships an update monthly, HDR Effect Camera every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 11, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
HDR Max versus HDR Effect Camera: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHDR MaxHDR Effect Camera
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (431 ratings) — better2.4 (5 ratings)
Positive reviews76.2% of reviews — better40.0% of reviews
Number of ratings431 — better5
Update frequencyMonthly — betterEvery 4 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size7 MB8 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPetri GronlundAnton Heestand

Customer experience

HDR Max

All ratings418 ratings
Positive93.3%
Neutral3.1%
Negative3.6%
Written reviews21 reviews
Positive76.2%
Neutral0.0%
Negative23.8%

HDR Effect Camera

All ratings5 ratings
Positive20.0%
Neutral20.0%
Negative60.0%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive40.0%
Neutral20.0%
Negative40.0%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

HDR Max

Subscriptions2
  • HDR Max Pro$4.991 Month
  • HDR Max Pro7 Days trial$29.991 Year
None

HDR Effect Camera

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is HDR Max free?
HDR Max is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is HDR Effect Camera free?
HDR Effect Camera is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, HDR Max or HDR Effect Camera?
HDR Max is rated higher. HDR Max averages 4.7 out of 5 from 431 ratings, while HDR Effect Camera averages 2.4 from 5 ratings.
Do HDR Max or HDR Effect Camera have ads?
Neither HDR Max nor HDR Effect Camera shows ads.
Which is updated more often, HDR Max or HDR Effect Camera?
HDR Max ships an update monthly, and HDR Effect Camera every 4 months. Most recently, HDR Max was updated on October 26, 2026 and HDR Effect Camera on October 11, 2026.

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