# PhenakistoScope vs RhythmReel

The clearest difference is price: RhythmReel at Free against PhenakistoScope's $4.99. RhythmReel also leads on ratings volume (8 vs 1). PhenakistoScope's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and update cadence (daily vs every 3 weeks). On rating, review sentiment and ads there is nothing between them.

RhythmReel is free to download; PhenakistoScope costs $4.99 up front. RhythmReel sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. PhenakistoScope asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for PhenakistoScope against 5.0 for RhythmReel. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: RhythmReel has 8 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.

PhenakistoScope ships an update daily, RhythmReel every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 7, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | PhenakistoScope | RhythmReel |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $4.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/phenakistoscope/id1537762973/reviews) | [5.0 (8 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rhythmreel/id6761639624/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 1 | **8** |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Daily** | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Size | 17 MB | 35 MB |
| Requires iOS | **11.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Masayuki INOUE](https://appshunter.io/developer/1260603637) | [Evan Andrew Roth](https://appshunter.io/developer/1890592053) |

## What reviewers say

### PhenakistoScope

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/phenakistoscope/id1537762973)

Create captivating animations by rotating disk images. Capture new images or import from your library, then fine-tune frame count and playback speed before exporting your creations as movies.

**Highlights:** Rotate disk-shaped animations, Shoot new disk images, Select images from photo albums, Adjust frame count, Adjust animation speed, Export animations to movie format

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### RhythmReel

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rhythmreel/id6761639624)

This app synchronizes your videos and Live Photos with music, making them react dynamically to the beat. You can use existing clips or record new ones, and import audio files or let the microphone capture sound. It offers creative overlays and multi-clip functionality for engaging video creation.

**Highlights:** Real-time audio-reactive video playback, Works with any video or Live Photo, Record new clips, Microphone input or import audio, Live waveform visualizer, Text overlay reacting to audio, Multi-clip playlist mode

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Remove Watermark & High-Res Export | $2.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is PhenakistoScope free?

PhenakistoScope costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is RhythmReel free?

RhythmReel is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, PhenakistoScope or RhythmReel?

PhenakistoScope and RhythmReel are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 1 and 8 ratings respectively.

### Do PhenakistoScope or RhythmReel have ads?

Neither PhenakistoScope nor RhythmReel shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, PhenakistoScope or RhythmReel?

PhenakistoScope ships an update daily, and RhythmReel every 3 weeks. Most recently, PhenakistoScope was updated on November 7, 2026 and RhythmReel on October 31, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*