TouchDirector Mini vs Freefly Ember
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
TouchDirector Mini
Control your ATEM switcher with a broadcast panel-style interface. Manage audio, playback, auxiliary outputs, DVEs, and more. Create and animate complex multi-PIP compositions with real-time macro generation for smooth visual effects.
- Broadcast panel-style ATEM control
- Audio and HyperDeck playback control
- Auxiliary output management
- SuperSource/DVEK animation with real-time macros
- Multi-PIP composition saving and loading
- Streaming setup and data rate monitoring
- Macro management and execution
Read full descriptionHide full description
TouchDirector ATEM Panel app to control every ATEM switcher from ATEM Mini to the ATEM Constellation in broadcast panel style. In addition to PVW/PGM, macros and transition area, you can select one of the following sections: • Audio • HyperDeck playback control • Aux control (up to 4 with ATEM Mini Extreme ISO SDI) • M/E 1 Key and DSK sources control in broadcast panel style • ATEM internal media player control • SuperSource/DVEK with box animation, Control of up to 6 PiP boxes* in one composition • WorldTally system • Streaming/recording • All macros Macro driven animation of SuperSource boxes and also up to 2 DVE key boxes* with real-time generated macros. TouchDirector is generating, sending and executing animation macros in real-time. This revolutionary solution makes animation much smoother, for SuperSource and DVEK animation in progressive formats. *with ATEM Mini Extreme, number of PiP boxes depends on ATEM Mini switcher type More features: • Save your Multi PIP compositions to your iCloud or other cloud services or share it with other iOS devices • Load compositions instantly or use Quick Composition buttons to prepare your upcoming Multi PIP events, it's like having multiple SuperSources! • Zoom up and down every single box e.g., to bring a talk guest from a discussion into front and back to the composition. Simply switch on the “single box zoom button”, and every box tapped by your finger will expand or collapse again, with just a touch on the visualized Multi PIP tool in the app! • Send all PIP boxes out of the screen after preparing. Then bring only the background on air and all boxes with a quick composition button animated back to the screen - an amazing effect! • Easy streaming setup for ATEM Mini Pro/ISO/Extreme with TouchDirector App for iPad. Copy and paste your streaming data and start streaming instantly without complicated XML editing. • Monitor your stream quality with the "Streaming data rate monitor", which records the data rates every second. Export streaming protocol e.g. for your client as chart in PNG format. • Select sources for all aux out in a broadcast panel design with customizable buttons. • Select sources for all upstream keys and all DSK keys in a broadcast panel design with customizable buttons. • Macros, Audio control, PVW/PGM row, AUX control, worldwide Tally, Media Player control, HyperDeck control. • PGM/PVW row is visible and switchable all the time, you can also swap PGM/PVW row to switch more comfortably on the iPad. • Manage and start up to 100 ATEM macros arranged in 10 groups and up to Quick macro buttons in definable number of rows between PGM/PVW and key area. • See the audio levels live and adjust them while controlling other part of the ATEM. Audio setup popup for every channel with on/off, tie, volume and balance slider. • See all AUX sources in one view and set them in broadcast panel style. • Send tally to your remote camera people and connect to them with text chat (free: max. 4 participants). • Choose stills and clips in the ATEM integrated Media Player, tie clips with DSK or Transition (Media player 1 - 4). • Connect 1 or 2 HyperDecks (all models) and use it as fully automated integrated media player for pre-produced clips or key-animations (use fill and key output at the HyperDeck Mini for alpha channel clips). • Generate clip lists with mark in and out and set repeat for your clips stored on your HyperDeck and HyperDeck Mini. • Assign your HyperDeck inputs related to their physical inputs in the Deck Assignments, also for Key and Fill. • Control your Key and DSK pre multiplying in one view in the Key Assignment settings. • Assign your DVEK boxes to your desired upstream key in the Key Assignment settings. • Recording functionality, you are able to control the recording functionality of an ATEM Mini/Extreme with up to 2 connected SSDs. • Timecode functionality: TouchDirector can now set ATEM time code type and preset time code in the new recording area.
Freefly Ember
Control your Freefly Ember camera wirelessly from your iOS or iPadOS device. Adjust settings, review footage instantly, and export your best shots with ease. The app mirrors your camera's on-screen interface for a seamless workflow.
- Wireless camera connection
- Live preview
- Remote camera settings adjustment
- Instant video playback
- Export selected video clips
- Synced user interface
Read full descriptionHide full description
Introducing remote wireless control for your Freefly Ember on iOS and iPadOS. Quickly adjust your camera settings, enjoy instant playback, and easily export your favorite shots, all directly from the app. The Ember app replicates all camera controls available on the on-camera UI, providing a cohesive and intuitive experience. Any changes made on your camera are reflected in the app instantly, ensuring you're always in full control. Key Features: Wireless Connection: Connect the app to your Freely Ember camera via the camera’s WiFi network to view live preview and control your camera settings. Instant Playback: Replay your shots instantly, allowing you to check and perfect your videos on the go. Export: Specify in/out points on videos and transfer your shots directly from the camera to your device with a few simple taps. Synced UI: Changes made on your camera are instantly mirrored on the app for a seamless experience. Video playback requires a device that supports ProRes decoding: iPhone 13 and newer iPad Mini 6th generation and newer iPad Pro 12.9” 5th generation and newer iPad Pro 11” 3rd generation and newer iPad Air 5th generation and newer Ensure your device's compatibility for the best experience.
Screenshots
Verdict
TouchDirector Mini and Freefly Ember both sit at 5.0 stars, but that hides the real split: 100% of Freefly Ember's written reviews are positive against 0% of TouchDirector Mini's. Freefly Ember also leads on price (Free vs $30.99) and device support (3 vs 1). TouchDirector Mini's advantage is iOS requirement (14.0 vs 17.0). On rating, ratings volume, update cadence and ads 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
Freefly Ember is free to download; TouchDirector Mini costs $30.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for TouchDirector Mini against 5.0 for Freefly Ember. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 6 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 0% of TouchDirector Mini's written reviews are positive against 100% of Freefly Ember's.
Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 3, 2026 and September 27, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | TouchDirector Mini | Freefly Ember |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $30.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 5.0 (3 ratings) | 5.0 (6 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 3 | 6 — better |
| Update frequency | Monthly | Monthly |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Free — better |
| Devices | iPad | iPhone, iPad, Mac — better |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 72 MB | 9 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | LiveSkills Menssen & Ebelt GbR | FREEFLY SYSTEMS INC. |
Customer experience
TouchDirector Mini
Freefly Ember
In-app purchases
TouchDirector Mini
No in-app purchases
Freefly Ember
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is TouchDirector Mini free?
Is Freefly Ember free?
Which has better reviews, TouchDirector Mini or Freefly Ember?
Do TouchDirector Mini or Freefly Ember have ads?
Which is updated more often, TouchDirector Mini or Freefly Ember?
Other comparisons















