Comparison

Story Maker vs Effects Expert

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Story Maker

Easily create and share captivating slideshows with music. Select photos from your device's library and generate stunning videos in moments. Unlock premium features with a subscription for enhanced video creation.

Highlights
  • Create slideshows with music
  • Select photos from device library
  • Share videos instantly
  • Premium subscription for advanced features
  • Automatic renewal options
Features
Read full description

Story Maker is a popular social video maker app for your iOS device. Create and share stunning slideshows with music using the app. Once you download the app, go to your device’s library and select photos for Story Maker and your slideshow will be ready to go in no time! Enjoy all our premium features with a Story Maker Premium Subscription. Currently Story Maker offers two subscription packages that can be accessed through the Subscription Page inside the app. Monthly Subscription charge is USD $9.99 per month while the Yearly subscription comes at USD 49.99 per year. - Payment will be charged to your iTunes account at confirmation of purchase. - Your account will be charged for renewal 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. - Subscription is renewed automatically unless turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. - Any unused portion of a free trial period will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription to that publication, where applicable. - Your subscription will stay active until the end of the period and Auto-renewal will be disabled when you cancel a subscription. - You can turn off and change your subscription plan any time from the Apple ID settings of your device. Terms of Use: https://www.videoeditorlite.com/terms Privacy Policy: https://www.videoeditorlite.com/privacy

About

Effects Expert

Features
Read full description

Effects Expert provides a simple and efficient way to produce visual effects for your movie project. Major Features are: - a simple user interface that mimics a light-box for lining up and editing the elements that make up your effects shot - use of Visual Programming that allows effects to be configured by dragging and dropping processing nodes into an ImageFlow - automated compositing means you don't need to manual process each frame - an extensive library of processing nodes to handle common image processing and compositing functions - integrated audio mixing - configurable resolution (480, 720, 1080, 4k...) Effects Expert has 2 modes of operation: 1) Basic mode The Basic mode of Effects Expert is suited to simple projects but also allows users to get a feel for the app's workflow before committing to the purchase of the PRO upgrade 2) PRO mode The PRO mode has an expanded ImageFlow node library and expanded capability for sharing work between users. An In App Purchase enables this functionality for users of the Basic mode. Pre-existing MiniCine users are provided with a PRO mode upgrade. New additions in this release, include: - a MEMORY node that provides access to previous frame results from within an ImageFlow

Screenshots

Story Maker4 screens
Effects Expert4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Effects Expert at every 3 months against Story Maker's every 21 months. On price, ads, in-app purchases 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Story Maker sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month and Effects Expert sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Story Maker ships an update every 21 months, Effects Expert every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 27, 2026 and September 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Story Maker versus Effects Expert: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterStory MakerEffects Expert
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (101 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings101 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 21 monthsEvery 3 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.012.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size17 MB30 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAppnap Technologies LimitedLindsay Arnold

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Story Maker

Subscriptions2
  • Slidegram Monthly Subscription$9.991 Month
  • Social Video Maker with Music3 Days trial$49.991 Year
2 purchases

Effects Expert

One-time2
  • Pro Upgrade for MiniCine usersFree
  • Effects Expert Pro Upgrade$2.99

Questions

Is Story Maker free?
Story Maker is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Effects Expert free?
Effects Expert is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Story Maker or Effects Expert have ads?
Neither Story Maker nor Effects Expert shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Story Maker or Effects Expert?
Story Maker ships an update every 21 months, and Effects Expert every 3 months. Most recently, Story Maker was updated on September 27, 2026 and Effects Expert on September 3, 2026.

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