Protake vs Lucent
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Protake
This app offers professional cinema camera features for mobile devices, enabling advanced video recording and monitoring. It includes features like Wi-Fi video transmission, multiple recording modes, and sophisticated color grading tools.
- Wi-Fi Video Transmission
- Multiple Recording Modes (AUTO, PRO, DUAL, PORTRAIT)
- LOG Gamma Curve & Cinematic Looks
- Advanced Monitoring Tools
- Composition & Exposure Assistants
- Frame Rate Normalization
- Standard File Naming & Metadata
Read full descriptionHide full description
Protake brings the filmmaking experience of professional cinema cameras to your mobile devices. No matter you're a daily vlogger, a commercial director, or a well-established filmmaker, you will benefit from Protake's features, including: # [NEW] WI-FI VIDEO TRANSMISSION · In the landscape orientation of AUTO and PRO modes, you can start the brand new Wi-Fi Video Transmission system. · You can transmit the video from 1 "camera" to 4 "monitors" (yes, we're talking about iPhones and iPads). · You can watch up to 4 "cameras" on 1 "monitor". · You can wirelessly start and stop the recording of all "cameras". · You can even monitor HDR and SDR video streams on the same screen. · It's a ground-breaking end-to-end mobile recording and monitoring experience. · It's brought to you by Protake. # MODES · AUTO mode: a mode optimized for vloggers and YouTubers, you can use it single-handedly. · PRO mode: a mode designed for professional filmmakers. All the camera information and control settings are well aligned on the screen. · DUAL mode: recording video with two cameras working at the same time. Recorded in one file as Picture in Picture or two files. · PORTRAIT mode: with iPhone Pro and iPad Pro's LiDAR sensor and the devices' powerful processors, you can record "portrait mode video" with real-time blurred background. # COLOR · LOG: it's not only a genuine LOG gamma curve -- we strictly matched your mobile device's color to the industrial standard - ALEXA Log C. · Cinematic Looks: we provided a dozen of cinematic looks for filmmakers -- the styles are categorized into Neutral Styles, Film Emulation (classic Kodak and Fuji cinema film), Movie Inspired (blockbusters and indie masterpieces), and ALEXA Looks. # ASSISTANTS · Monitoring tools: Waveform, Parade, Histogram, RGB Histogram, Audio Meter. · Composition assistants: Aspect Ratios, Safe Area, Thirds, Crosshairs, and 3-axis Horizon Indicators. · Exposure assistants: Zebra Strips,False Color, Exposure Compensation, Auto Exposure. · Focus assistants: Focus Peaking and Auto Focus. · Recording: Record Beeper, Record Flash, Volume Key Record. · Zooming and Focusing: A-B Point. # DATA · Frame Rate Normalization: Mobile devices don't have perfect frame rate control, therefore, it's easy to get non-standard variable frame rate. Protake solves this problem fundamentally and makes strictly constant FPS of 24, 25, 30, 60, 120, etc. · File-naming: All the video files saved by Protake use the standard naming system: Camera Unit + Reel Number + Clip Count + Date + Suffix. It's something like "A001C00203_200412_IR8J.MOV"... Sounds familiar? · Metadata: Everything including device model, ISO, shutter angel, white balance, lens, connected accessories, location, are all well recorded in the file's metadata. · Time code: We provided both options for you -- Free Run and Record Run. It's compatible with your cinema cameras. # Protake+ · With a Protake+ membership, you can use all the features, including: Pro mode, LOG gamma curve, Protake Cinematic Looks, all the assistant tools, data management, 3rd-party accessories. · Protake+ provides 1-year membership for you to purchase; · Payment will be charged to your iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase; · Your subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period; · Your account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period; · The renewal price for 1-year membership is USD 19.99. · You can manage your subscription and switch off the auto-renewal by accessing your Account Settings after purchase; · All personal data is handled under the terms and conditions of Protake’s privacy policy. More details can be found here: https://terms.alicdn.com/legal-agreement/terms/platform_service/20220621172324148/20220621172324148.html https://terms.alicdn.com/legal-agreement/terms/privacy/20220704104156634/20220704104156634.html
Lucent
Read full descriptionHide full description
Lucent is a manual cinema camera for iPhone and iPad. It pairs a reliable capture core with the controls, live scopes, and looks serious shooters expect, and your photos and videos never leave your device. No account. No tracking. LIVE LOOKS & LUTS • See your grade live in the viewfinder while Lucent records a clean, untouched master • Nine built-in cinematic looks plus Neutral, including Teal & Orange, Bleach Bypass, Silver Mono, Faded Film, and Golden Hour • Import your own .cube 3D LUTs and switch between them in one tap • Adjustable intensity, saved with every capture, rendered on export when you share MANUAL CONTROL • Real ISO, shutter speed and shutter angle, white balance with tint, manual focus, and exposure compensation • Variable aperture control on supported iPhone models • Tap to focus and expose, long-press to lock, smooth cinematic zoom ramps • 24, 25, 30, 50, and 60 fps, with lens switching across ultra-wide, wide, telephoto, and front cameras LIVE MONITORING • Histogram, luma waveform, zebras, focus peaking, and false color • Real-time dBFS audio meters • Frame lines for 2.39:1, 2:1, 1.85:1, 4:3, 1:1, 4:5, and 9:16 vertical video • Anamorphic desqueeze preview from 1.33x to 2x PRO FORMATS • ProRes, HEVC (10-bit), and H.264 video in 4K up to 60 fps with codec-aware bitrates • Apple Log with Log View Assist: monitor in Rec.709 while you record Log • HDR HLG capture with native 10-bit color • HEIF, RAW (DNG), and Apple ProRAW photos where supported FASTER ON SET • Save your own camera presets: lens, format, codec, color, look, and manual settings in one tap • Capture with Camera Control or the volume buttons • Open Lucent in photo or video mode from Control Center, the Lock Screen, or Shortcuts • The Lucent Assistant watches clipping, focus, audio, storage, battery, and heat, and suggests fixes as you shoot BUILT-IN MEDIA LIBRARY • App-local library with filters, sorting, and metadata inspection • Import from Files, Quick Look, batch sharing, and Save to Photos • Crash and interruption recovery for finished recordings PRIVATE BY DESIGN • Capture, processing, and your media stay on your device • No account and no analytics SDK. The only network traffic is App Store purchase validation LUCENT PRO Lucent Pro unlocks Live Looks and LUT import, false color and advanced monitoring, ProRes, RAW, Apple Log, anamorphic desqueeze, saved presets, and the full Lucent Assistant. Choose a monthly subscription or a one-time lifetime purchase. Subscriptions renew automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Manage or cancel anytime in your Apple Account settings. Lucent requires a physical iPhone or iPad camera. Privacy Policy: https://fluff-mice-37a.notion.site/Privacy-Policy-39e94ad0981280ec9756f9a2fdaa04ec?pvs=73 Terms of Use (EULA): https://fluff-mice-37a.notion.site/Terms-of-Use-39e94ad09812808d8c9be72cb11ab7df?pvs=73
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Lucent at none against Protake's 4. Protake's advantage is iOS requirement (14.1 vs 18.0). On price, update cadence, 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
Both are free to download. Protake sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $19.99 per year. Lucent asks for nothing beyond the download.
Protake ships an update every 2 months, Lucent monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 4, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Protake | Lucent |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.5 (1.3K ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 40.7% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 1.3K — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Monthly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Freemium | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 14.1 — better | 18.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 75 MB | 14 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Beijing Lingguang Zaixian Information Technology Limited | Firat Onurcan Polat |
Bugs and requests
Protake
Reported bugs
4 issues- Videos not saving properly
- Subscription not working as expected
- Stabilization issues in 4K Pro mode
- Unexpected errors and crashes
Requested features
5 requests- Add 4K 60fps video recording
- Implement remote camera monitoring and control
- Allow manual microphone selection
- Provide more flexible stabilization options
- Add support for more gimbal and accessory integrations
Lucent
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Protake
- Protake+ (1 Year)1 Year trial$19.991 Year
- Protake Cloud: 60 Minutes$4.99
- Protake Cloud: 180 Minutes$9.99
- Protake Cloud: 480 Minutes$19.99
Lucent
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Protake free?
Is Lucent free?
Do Protake or Lucent have ads?
Which is updated more often, Protake or Lucent?
Other comparisons















