StreamCam vs Obscura
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
StreamCam
Transform your iOS device into a high-quality webcam for your Mac. Easily stream or record video directly to your computer for professional-looking content. Enhance your video calls and streaming setup with this versatile tool.
- Use iOS device as Mac webcam
- Record directly to Mac
- Stream with OBS/Ecamm Live
- Virtual camera for Zoom/Skype
- Second camera for screen sharing
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StreamCam provides a simple, uncluttered camera viewer that lets you use your iOS camera with your Mac. Record to your Mac: Connect your device to your Mac via lightening cable and select it as a source in Quicktime. Stream: Connect your device to your Mac via lightning cable and select it as a source in a streaming app such as OBS or Ecamm Live. Webcam: Use OBS or Ecamm Live plugins to create a virtual camera device which you can select as a source in Zoom, Skype, etc. Visualiser: Use the "iPhone/iPad via cable" option in Zoom screen sharing to use your device as a second camera. Don’t forget: Turn off your notifications or turn on airplane mode to avoid any embarassing notifications while streaming!
Obscura
This camera app offers advanced manual controls for photography and videography. It provides a range of capture formats, live filters, and viewing aids to enhance your creative process. An optional subscription unlocks premium features.
- Manual exposure, focus, and white balance controls
- RAW, ProRAW, HEIC, and JPEG capture formats
- Live filters and custom preset creation
- Grid, histogram, and focus peaking view aids
- Video and Live Photo recording
- Integrated photo library browsing and editing
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Obscura V is a camera app packed full of features to help you take incredible photos. Obscura pairs a stunning design with intuitive controls that make taking photos a delight. — Over its 10+ years on the App Store, Obscura has been featured numerous times around the world, including as Editors’ Choice and App of the Day. — Design Obscura squeezes a bunch of powerful features into simple controls anyone can master. The interface balances aesthetics, ergonomics, and intuitiveness. You won’t want to use anything else. Controls can be reached with one thumb, and gestures and haptics combine to create a tactile experience that lets you stay focused on your subject. — Capture Modes & Formats Obscura captures photos, videos, Live Photos, and portraits. Photos can be captured in RAW, ProRAW, HEIC, and JPEG (on supported devices, see http://obscura.camera/compatibility). Capture images in multiple different aspect ratios, or apply filters live in camera for a wide variety of styles. — Camera Settings Obscura gives you control over exposure, focus, white balance, ISO, shutter speed, and flash, with intuitive controls that make you feel in control of your device’s camera. — Live Filters Obscura includes a bunch of great filters to give your photos instant style but you can also create your own and use them live in-camera. It’s very cool and very powerful. — View Options Obscura lets you display a grid, a spirit level, a histogram, focus peaking, a focus loupe, and exposure clipping highlights to help you understand every detail of what you’re shooting. — Photo Library Obscura has its own interface for browsing, rating, editing, and sharing images, but it’s fully integrated with your system photo library, so images captured with Obscura are available everywhere. — Obscura Ultra Obscura is free to use, with an annual subscription for premium features. See http://obscura.camera/ultra for full details. — I hope you love using Obscura as much as I’ve loved designing and building it. If you do, please consider subscribing to Ultra, leaving a review, or just sharing with a friend. All the best, Ben ———— Privacy Policy: http://obscura.camera/privacy Terms of use: http://obscura.camera/terms
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: StreamCam at 100% against Obscura's 52%. StreamCam also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 5) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 18). Obscura's advantage is price (Free vs $1.99) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 24 months). On 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
Obscura is free to download; StreamCam costs $1.99 up front. Obscura sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $1.49 per 7 days. StreamCam asks for nothing beyond the download.
StreamCam ships an update every 24 months, Obscura every 2 weeks. Both last shipped on November 3, 2026.
| Parameter | StreamCam | Obscura |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | — | 4.1 (277 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better | 52.4% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | — | 277 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 24 months | Every 2 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Paid | Freemium — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 18 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 1 MB | 174 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Ben Frearson | Ben McCarthy |
Customer experience
StreamCam
Obscura
Bugs and requests
StreamCam
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
Obscura
Reported bugs
5 issues- Crashes when trying to use Pro Raw mode
- Inconsistent behavior when switching between lenses
- Manual settings randomly resetting
- Photos not saving properly
- Freezing and black screen issues
Requested features
5 requests- Ability to save custom camera settings
- Variable zoom function in pro mode
- Separate manual control for exposure and ISO
- Dedicated selfie button
- Live audio capture for Live Photos
In-app purchases
StreamCam
No in-app purchases
Obscura
- Obscura Ultra - Weekly$1.497 Days
- Obscura Ultra - Monthly7 Days trial$3.991 Month
- Obscura Ultra7 Days trial$24.991 Year
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- Obscura Ultra Upgrade1 Year trial$24.991 Year
- Obscura Ultra - One Time$74.99
Questions
Is StreamCam free?
Is Obscura free?
Do StreamCam or Obscura have ads?
Which is updated more often, StreamCam or Obscura?
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