POLYCAM vs Open Brush for Zapbox
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
POLYCAM
Create unique visual effects by combining over 150 built-in filters. This app allows for real-time camera input manipulation, loading existing media, and exporting high-quality videos. Customize parameters with sliders, LFOs, or sensor data for interactive visualizers.
- Combine over 150 built-in filters
- Create and save custom filter chains
- Real-time camera input processing
- Load and export existing images/videos
- Adjustable filter parameters
- Interactive audio visualizers
- Full-screen output with smooth transitions
Read full descriptionHide full description
To create a custom filter, use the built-in basic image filters and combine them. You can also load previously recorded images/videos and record/export. Filter Custom filters are created by connecting filters selected from over 150 collections in series. For instance, you can do the following: Camera input-> [Mirror effect-> Monochrome effect-> Glitch effect]-> Display / Recorder The items inside [] are called chains and can be selected and rearranged as you please. This chain can be saved, and once created and saved, it can be loaded with one tap. There are so many filters that it is hard to find immediately, but you can find them by searching or categorizing. The filters include a built-in iOS filter called Core Image Filter (* 1) and a POLYCAM original filter created with Metal (* 2) shader. The Loop filter has a built-in feedback circuit that allows you to re-read the output of the previous frame, making it ideal for more experimental video generation and circuit bending. Generic filters such as StarShine, SunBeam, Lenticular Halo, and Gradient are also included, so you can create generated images. Output Full screen output without indicators of 4 outputs. HDMI, AirPlay, NDI®, Aether, are possible. Using smooth alpha transitions for almost all transitions, you can create a smooth production when projecting full-screen images using Outputs. Export If the source input is selected from photos or videos in the photo album, it can be asynchronously exported to the photo album. This is different from real-time recording at the time of shooting, and is written in non-real time for each frame. Smooth videos can be saved even at resolutions and settings that lack the power of the CPU or GPU. Parametrics Each filter has several parameters that you can adjust with the sliders to adjust the filter's balance and effect. Parameters can be automated with the LFO oscillator or random generator. You can also assign audio input peaks from microphones, accelerometers, gyro sensors, MIDI inputs, etc. for interactive control and create audio visualizers. Settings Camera select (internal / external, double, triple also available) Aspect ratio (Original, 1: 1, 3: 4, 9:16, 4: 3, 16: 9) Resolution (Original, QD, HD, FHD) Microphone gain NDI® on / off (*3) Aether wireless sender bit rate (*4) Tint color change Rotation lock Saving, sharing, and exporting Chains The created chain can be saved with the save button at the lower right of the chain table view. The saved chains are arranged in the collection view, and the chains can be loaded by tapping or dragging and dropping. You can share the chain by dragging and dropping it on the share mark. You can send it to macOS or save it to the File app. Exporting the settings will share the entire collection in the current chain. You can save all the filters you have created or share them with someone. (*5) Notes: *1 Core Image Filter Reference - Apple Developer https://developer.apple.com/library/archive/documentation/GraphicsImaging/Reference/CoreImageFilterReference/index.html#//apple_ref/doc/filter/ci/CIDiscBlur *2 Metal - Apple Developer https://developer.apple.com/jp/metal/ * 3 NDI® is a low-latency NewTek IP video library. It is built into various devices and applications such as macOS and Windows, and enables high-quality video communication by wireless or wired connection. https://www.ndi.tv/ (Currently, POLYCAM's vertical 9:16 transmission has a bug, but it works normally with other aspect ratios.) * 4 Aether is a low-latency, lightweight original IP video communication framework. It can be sent to Mac via wireless or wired connection and connected to Siphon for use in various applications. https://sites.google.com/view/aetherframework * 5 Chains and chain collections saved in the File app can be opened and read from POLYCAM when selected from the File app. Please send by AirDrop when sharing to other devices.
Open Brush for Zapbox
Read full descriptionHide full description
Art from All Angles. 3D paint with Zapbox! Paint in room-scale 3D with Open Brush on Zapbox. Unleash your creativity with three-dimensional brush strokes, choosing from a wide palette of brushes. Your room is your canvas. Your palette is your imagination. Inspiration is everywhere. Immerse yourself in your own creations, in inspiring virtual backdrops, or your own room with Mixed Reality! Open Brush is still in development for Zapbox, and some features available on other platforms may not be present at this time. Enjoy the release! *Note: Requires Zapbox hardware to function. Visit https://www.zappar.com/zapbox/ to learn more.*
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Open Brush for Zapbox at Free against POLYCAM's $4.99. POLYCAM's advantage is update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 6 months) and chart position (#152 vs unranked). On ads, in-app purchases, device support and iOS requirement 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
Open Brush for Zapbox is free to download; POLYCAM costs $4.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
POLYCAM ships an update every 6 weeks, Open Brush for Zapbox every 6 months. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | POLYCAM | Open Brush for Zapbox |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.0 (6 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 50.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 6 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks — better | Every 6 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | — |
| Best chart rank | #152 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | 12.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 4 MB | 477 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | Narumi Inada | Icosa Foundation |
In-app purchases
POLYCAM
No in-app purchases
Open Brush for Zapbox
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is POLYCAM free?
Is Open Brush for Zapbox free?
Do POLYCAM or Open Brush for Zapbox have ads?
Which is updated more often, POLYCAM or Open Brush for Zapbox?
Other comparisons















