Comparison

Monitor+ vs The Director's Viewfinder

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

Head to head
About

Monitor+

Transform your phone into a professional camera monitor with live view and remote control capabilities. Access camera content, utilize advanced assist functions, and even record live feeds. A Pro version unlocks even more powerful features for enhanced filmmaking.

Highlights
  • Live View
  • Remote Camera Control
  • UVC/Capture Card Support
  • Camera Content Access
  • Assist Functions (False Color, Zebra, etc.)
  • Focus Pulling
  • Apple Watch Extension
Features
Read full description

Currently only Sony a7R V, a7R IV, a9 III, a9 II, a7C, a7C II, a7CR, a7S III, a1, FX3, FX30, ZV-1, ZV-E10, ZV-E1, a7 IV and newer models are supported for wireless connection (Wi-Fi). When use wired connection (USB), previous camera models such as A7 III are also supported, detailed compatible table please refer to the website. Monitor+ turns your phone into a professional camera monitor instantly! Key Features: - Live View - Remote Control (Shutter Speed, Iris, ISO, WB...) - UVC/Capture Card support for iPadOS - Camera content access* - OSD image display* - Touch AF and display focus point* - Record and playback live view feeds* - Assist Functions* (False Color, Zebra, Waveform, Histogram, Vectorscope, Guide, Focus Peaking, Desqueeze, LUTs...) - Chroma Keying and Overlay* - Focus Pulling* - Apple Watch Extension* - Screen Lock* * Available on Pro version Disclaimer: Monitor+ is not affiliated with Sony Corporation in any way and is not a Sony product. “SONY”, “Sony” are trademarks of Sony Corporation.

About

The Director's Viewfinder

Visualize your shots with precise aspect ratios, lens simulations, and camera formats. This tool offers exposure monitoring, composition overlays, and real-time data for professional filmmaking and photography.

Highlights
  • Precise aspect ratio simulation
  • Lens focal length simulation
  • Camera sensor simulation
  • Exposure monitoring tools
  • Composition overlays
  • Save and load presets
Features
Read full description

With The Director's Viewfinder you can visualize your shots with the correct aspect ratio, lens, camera format and more. Built for directors, DPs, photographers, camera assistants and anyone who needs to quickly preview shot compositions. The perfect companion for scouting locations, blocking shots, storyboarding and more. PRECISE FRAMING • 10 industry-standard aspect ratios, from 2.76:1 to 9:16 • Lens focal length simulation from 18mm to 200mm • Camera sensor simulation — Large Format 65, Full Frame, Super 35 and Micro Four Thirds • Anamorphic de-squeeze emulation up to 2.0x • Composition overlays: Thirds, 64 Grid, Crosshair, Dot, Box+Cross EXPOSURE & MONITORING TOOLS • Real-time histogram and waveform • False color exposure monitoring • Live ISO, white balance, FPS and aperture readout • Audio level meters with peak indicators • Depth of field calculator with near/far limits and hyperfocal distance • Digital level for perfectly leveled shots • Running TOD timecode LOOKS • Preview Flat/Log, High Contrast, Kodachrome, and Bleach Bypass looks directly in the viewfinder BUILT FOR REAL WORKFLOWS • Save and load presets of all your settings for different projects • Full-screen portrait viewfinder mode for vertical framing and social content • Capture reference photos and video for sharing, storyboarding and shot listing The Director's Viewfinder was built by working broadcast and cinematography professionals who needed a better way to conceptualize shots for their storyboards and shot breakdowns. No account, no subscriptions, no data collection. Everything runs locally on your device. Frame your shots like a pro!

Screenshots

Monitor+4 screens
The Director's Viewfinder4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: The Director's Viewfinder at 100% against Monitor+'s 45%. The Director's Viewfinder also leads on rating (5.0 vs 3.2) and in-app purchases (none vs 1). Monitor+'s advantage is price (Free vs $9.99) and ratings volume (281 vs 5). On ads and iOS requirement 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

Monitor+ is free to download; The Director's Viewfinder costs $9.99 up front. Monitor+ sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. The Director's Viewfinder asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

The Director's Viewfinder holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Monitor+ has 281 ratings behind it against 5, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 45% of Monitor+'s written reviews are positive against 100% of The Director's Viewfinder's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Monitor+ ships an update monthly, The Director's Viewfinder every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard9 real differences · 2 level
Monitor+ versus The Director's Viewfinder: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMonitor+The Director's Viewfinder
PriceFree — better$9.99
Rating3.2 (281 ratings)5.0 (5 ratings) — better
Positive reviews45.2% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings281 — better5
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterPaid
Best chart rank—#198 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS15.015.0
Further details — not scored
Size49 MB10 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHON IN UNRickey Mizuno

Customer experience

Monitor+

All ratings281 ratings
Positive52.7%
Neutral12.5%
Negative34.9%
Written reviews717 reviews
Positive45.2%
Neutral18.5%
Negative36.3%

The Director's Viewfinder

All ratings5 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

Monitor+

Reported bugs

6 issues
  • Incompatible with newer camera firmware updates
  • Inability to delete photos from the app
  • Inconsistent touch focus behavior
  • Incorrect exposure and color representation
  • Zebra levels not matching camera
Show 1 more
  • Inability to set zebra levels below 50%

Requested features

13 requests
  • Support for more Sony camera models (A7III, A6400, A6600, etc.)
  • Wired connection option for iOS
  • Audio level monitoring
  • Customizable frame guides and overlays
  • Onion skin feature
Show 8 more
  • Exposure meter display
  • Ability to apply LUT during playback
  • Vertical mode support for social media
  • Pinch-to-zoom on preview image
  • Half-press shutter button functionality
  • Automatic camera level display
  • Timecode support
  • Ability to record to external storage

The Director's Viewfinder

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Monitor+

One-time1
  • Pro Upgrade$18.99
None

The Director's Viewfinder

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Monitor+ free?
Monitor+ is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is The Director's Viewfinder free?
The Director's Viewfinder costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Monitor+ or The Director's Viewfinder?
The Director's Viewfinder is rated higher. Monitor+ averages 3.2 out of 5 from 281 ratings, while The Director's Viewfinder averages 5.0 from 5 ratings.
Do Monitor+ or The Director's Viewfinder have ads?
Neither Monitor+ nor The Director's Viewfinder shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Monitor+ or The Director's Viewfinder?
Monitor+ ships an update monthly, and The Director's Viewfinder every 4 days. Most recently, Monitor+ was updated on November 3, 2026 and The Director's Viewfinder on October 31, 2026.

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