POLYCAM vs WigglyPaint
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
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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.
WigglyPaint
Create charming animated pixel art with a fresh, intuitive interface. Enjoy smooth drawing, a vast color palette, and unique animated brushes. Export your creations as GIFs, videos, or Live Photos to share your dancing pixels with the world.
- Animated pixel art creation
- Dozens of colors
- Smooth drawing performance
- 8 cute animated brushes
- Live animation preview
- Export as GIF, Video, Live Photo
- Background layer support
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WigglyPaint – Cute Wiggly Pixel Art is Here! Pixels now dance smoother than ever. We rebuilt the entire experience with a fresh look, tons of new colors, and zero-lag drawing. Big thanks for waiting. This update hits different. What’s Inside: Fresh New Design – Clean, intuitive, and just feels right Dozens of Colors – Way more shades to make your art pop Silky Smooth Performance – Drawing is now buttery and instant 8 Cute Animated Brushes – Each with its own unique bounce Live Animation Preview – Watch pixels come alive as you draw Live Photo Export – Save wiggles as Live Photos for your Lock Screen Background Layer Support – Drop in photos or pick solid colors behind your art HD GIF Export – Perfect loops for sharing everywhere Apple Pencil & Touch – Feels amazing on iPhone and iPad Privacy First – Everything stays local on your device What You Can Create: Dancing Pixel Art – Retro vibes with playful motion Animated Stickers – Bouncy reactions for your group chats Wiggly Memes – Content that actually stands out Social Stories – Eye-catching posts, stories, and reels Grab your finger or Apple Pencil. Start drawing and watch pixels spring to life with every stroke. Every line bounces. Every color pops. Whether you are crafting detailed scenes with background layers or quick doodles on the train, this is pixel art like you have never felt before. Export as GIF、Video、Live Photo with one tap. Share instantly. Show the world your wiggles. WigglyPaint – Where Creativity Meets Dancing Pixels!
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: POLYCAM at 4.0 against WigglyPaint's 2.7. POLYCAM also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 18.2). WigglyPaint's advantage is monetization model (free vs paid) and update cadence (every 9 days vs every 6 weeks). 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
POLYCAM costs $4.99 and WigglyPaint $4.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
POLYCAM holds the better App Store score, 4.0 against 2.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: WigglyPaint has 35 ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 50% of POLYCAM's written reviews are positive against 42% of WigglyPaint's.
POLYCAM ships an update every 6 weeks, WigglyPaint every 9 days. Both last shipped on October 15, 2026.
| Parameter | POLYCAM | WigglyPaint |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4.99 | $4.99 |
| Rating | 4.0 (6 ratings) — better | 2.7 (35 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 50.0% of reviews — better | 42.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 6 | 35 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | Every 9 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Free — better |
| Best chart rank | #156 | #13 — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 18.2 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 4 MB | 15 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Narumi Inada | 骏骁 马 |
Customer experience
POLYCAM
WigglyPaint
In-app purchases
POLYCAM
No in-app purchases
WigglyPaint
No in-app purchases









