Contact Groups vs UniCam
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Contact Groups
Easily create and manage contact groups directly on your device. Organize frequently contacted people for quick access, send group emails, or text multiple recipients at once. Export contacts as VCards for backup or sharing.
- Create and manage contact groups
- Directly edit Apple Contacts database
- Send group emails
- Send group SMS/text messages
- Export contacts as VCard
- Delete multiple contacts
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"Thanks very much. Very happy. A very useful app." AB, Nov 2020 This app creates and manages Groups in the Apple Contacts app database directly on the iDevice. The groups and their members are stored in the Contacts database. If it is in an iCloud account then iOS manages the synchronisation automatically. The app makes it very easy to create groups of frequently-used contacts eg those people you call frequently without having to search for them in Recents or putting them all in Favourites. All on your iDevice without having to resort to laptops or web-based apps to manage the Contacts that are on your device. The app can display and edit a Contact's details using the same interface as the Apple Contacts app. Contact first name, last name and organisation are checked when searching to filter the contacts in a list - those in the current group or those not in the current group. In the Group list, tap and hold or carefully swipe right to left to change the name of a group. The list of Groups can be sorted alphabetically by using the switch in Settings->Contact Groups. Contact Groups can send an email to all members of a group. Contact Groups can create and add qualifying recipients to an SMS/text message for groups that contain Contacts with a mobile number in the following countries: Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Netherlands, South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique and Türkiye. Only numbers prefixed with + and the country code of the above countries and the digits which identify a mobile/cell number for that country are recognised. Canada and the United States of America are not included because there seems to be no way to distinguish a mobile/cell number from a landline phone number. The user can enter the relevant text. The app is not responsible for sending the message nor for any errors that may occur eg if the user does not have the ability to send texts internationally or the mobile number is incorrect etc. Contact Groups can select and delete multiple contacts at the same time - select a group, tap Not In Group, tap Select and then select one or more contacts and tap the trash can that has appeared. A confirmation dialog will appear. A Contact can be added to or removed from Groups: long-press the Contact to show the Groups to which it belongs. Swipe right-to-left to remove it from a Group. Tap Add to Groups to see a list of groups to which the Contact does not belong. Tap a Group to add the Contact to that Group. This can also be achieved by tapping the Contact to display Apple's Contact interface and then scrolling to the bottom to the 'Included in List' section. The Contacts in a Group can be exported via the app as a VCard file for sharing or importing into other machines and devices, or saved to Files or DropBox etc for backup purposes. The app itself does not send any data to any server. Due to Exchange issues, the app is unable to create groups in Exchange/Outlook accounts. SUPPORT If you encounter any issues please use the email link at the bottom of the Help screen or on the Developer Website link on this screen.
UniCam
Transform old phones into smart security cameras with AI-powered alerts. Customize notifications to detect specific events, monitor live streams, and communicate remotely. Supports a wide range of IP cameras and offers a privacy-focused design.
- AI Event Analysis for custom alerts
- Repurpose old phones as cameras
- Universal IP camera support
- 24/7 live streaming
- Two-way audio and siren
- Pan-Tilt-Zoom control
- Apple TV integration
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Turn any spare iPhone or iPad into an AI-powered security camera — and tell it, in your own words, exactly what matters. AI EVENT ANALYSIS Type what you want to know — "alert me if a person enters the backyard", "notify me when the baby climbs out of the crib", "tell me if the dog gets on the couch" — and whenever your mobile camera records motion, UniCam's AI reviews the recording and notifies you only when it matches. No more alert spam. Just the moments you asked for. SIRI AND EVENT SEARCH Ask Siri to open a camera, search your events, turn alerts on or off or set up AI Analysis. Say “Show Front Door in UniCam” or “Search UniCam events.” In Events, type “dog in the garden” and UniCam finds the matching events from the last 7 days. KEY FEATURES: * AI Event Analysis: AI reviews the motion recordings from your mobile cameras and alerts you only about what you asked for * Multi-Purpose Mobile Camera: convert old phones into baby monitors, pet cams, dashcams, or security cameras — no extra hardware needed * Universal IP Camera Support: connect ONVIF, RTSP, MJPEG, and HLS cameras from Hikvision, Dahua, Reolink, and many more * 24/7 Live Streaming: watch from anywhere over WiFi, LTE, or 5G — on iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV * Instant Motion Alerts: get notified the moment movement is detected * Two-Way Audio: talk to family or pets, or deter intruders with the built-in siren * Pan-Tilt-Zoom (PTZ) Control: manage supported IP cameras remotely with full directional and zoom control * Smart Camera Discovery: auto-detect IP cameras on your local network for quick setup * Groups: see your cameras side by side in a mosaic and build custom multi-camera views * Picture-in-Picture: keep watching your camera while you use other apps * Event timeline: see a thumbnail of every event and play back its recording * Privacy-Focused Design: your data remains secure and private PERFECT FOR: * Baby Monitor: watch your little one with live video and smart, AI-filtered alerts * Pet Camera: check in on your pets and talk to them while you're away * Home Security: turn any device into a WiFi security camera for enhanced protection * Nanny Cam and Dashcam: flexible monitoring wherever you need it APPLE TV INTEGRATION: Stream your mobile and IP cameras directly to your Apple TV for a larger viewing experience. Perfect for comprehensive home monitoring — your baby, pets, and home security on the big screen. QUICK AND EASY SETUP: Create your home security system in minutes with guided onboarding and in-app tutorials — no technical skills required. ECO-FRIENDLY SOLUTION: Repurpose old devices as WiFi cameras or monitors with no hidden costs. Compatible with iOS, iPadOS, and Apple TV. UNICAM PRO FEATURES: * Unlimited Device Connections * Multiple Simultaneous Streams * Enhanced Audio with Walkie-Talkie and Siren * HD Video Quality UNICAM MAX FEATURES: * Everything in PRO, plus AI Event Analysis with custom prompts SUBSCRIPTION DETAILS: Upgrade to UniCam PRO for premium features like HD viewing and unlimited devices, or UniCam MAX to add AI Event Analysis. Subscription auto-renews unless canceled 24 hours before the period ends. Manage subscriptions in Account Settings. ONVIF AND IP CAMERA SUPPORT: UniCam is compatible with a wide range of IP cameras, including those following the ONVIF (Open Network Video Interface Forum) standard, ensuring seamless integration with cameras from various manufacturers. WHY CHOOSE UNICAM? UniCam is the only camera app you need: AI-filtered alerts that tell you what actually matters, ONVIF and RTSP support for your existing cameras, and the power to turn spare phones into smart cameras. Download now and let AI keep watch for you. Privacy Policy: https://unicam.app/privacy-policy/ Terms of Use: https://unicam.app/terms-of-service/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: UniCam at Free against Contact Groups's $0.99. UniCam also leads on rating (4.5 vs 3.5) and ratings volume (53 vs 2). Contact Groups's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 10) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). On review sentiment, 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
UniCam is free to download; Contact Groups costs $0.99 up front. UniCam sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Contact Groups asks for nothing beyond the download.
UniCam holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: UniCam has 53 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 40% of Contact Groups's written reviews are positive against 33% of UniCam's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
Contact Groups ships an update fortnightly, UniCam every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and November 11, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Contact Groups | UniCam |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $0.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 3.5 (2 ratings) | 4.5 (53 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 40.0% of reviews — better | 33.3% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 2 | 53 — better |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly — better | Every 3 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Paid | Freemium — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV — better |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 1 MB | 98 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Godfrey Raftesath | nittbit |
Customer experience
Contact Groups
UniCam
Bugs and requests
Contact Groups
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
UniCam
Reported bugs
39 issues- Pan/Tilt not straight on iOS
- Last update erased account and purchases
- Login issues after payment
- Premium locked cameras
- No PTZ options after subscription
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- Camera not working (Hikvision DS-2CD2083-I)
- No manual IP entry
- App crashes with >4 cameras
- No sound, poor settings
- Cameras not working locally after update
- No default resolution setting
- Dahua NVR not supported
- HTTPS connection error
- Crashes when purchasing
- PTZ fault in ONVIF
- Subscription/account required
- No remote access without port forwarding
- App unusable after last update
- New account system terrible
- Purchased version limited to 4 cameras
- Video stream freezes
- Constant subscription popup
- Original purchase cancelled, forced to subscribe
- Hack attempt after installing
- New version cut features, introduced subscription
- Forgets DVR settings
- Sender not authorized error
- Half screen green
- Video stream freezes often
- Crashes frequently
- Pro version lost after update
- Cannot PTZ
- SDP stream not working
- 1/4 screen visible, rest green
- Freezes on Apple TV/iPad
- No cameras detected
- Hikvision not supported (port issues)
- No ONVIF detection
- No widgets
Requested features
8 requests- Option to zoom on Apple TV
- Picture-in-picture support on tvOS
- Support for JPEG streams
- Add PTZ support for cameras
- Default view setting for Apple TV
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- iCloud sync for cameras
- Launch directly into multi-cam screen
- Add PTZ controls
In-app purchases
Contact Groups
No in-app purchases
UniCam
- PRO - 1 Month$3.991 Month
- MAX - 1 Month$9.991 Month
- PRO - 6 months$19.996 Months
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- PRO - 1 Year7 Days trial$29.991 Year
- Starter Version2 variants$1.99
- Standard Version2 variants$3.99
- Advanced Version$7.99
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- PRO version$9.99









