Monitor+ vs The Director's Viewfinder
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Live View
- Remote Camera Control
- UVC/Capture Card Support
- Camera Content Access
- Assist Functions (False Color, Zebra, etc.)
- Focus Pulling
- Apple Watch Extension
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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.
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.
- Precise aspect ratio simulation
- Lens focal length simulation
- Camera sensor simulation
- Exposure monitoring tools
- Composition overlays
- Save and load presets
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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
Verdict
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
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.
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.
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.
| Parameter | Monitor+ | The Director's Viewfinder |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $9.99 |
| Rating | 3.2 (281 ratings) | 5.0 (5 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 45.2% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 281 — better | 5 |
| Update frequency | Monthly | Every 4 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases — better | Paid |
| Best chart rank | — | #198 — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — better | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 49 MB | 10 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | HON IN UN | Rickey Mizuno |
Customer experience
Monitor+
The Director's Viewfinder
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
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- 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
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- 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
Monitor+
- Pro Upgrade$18.99
The Director's Viewfinder
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Monitor+ free?
Is The Director's Viewfinder free?
Which has better reviews, Monitor+ or The Director's Viewfinder?
Do Monitor+ or The Director's Viewfinder have ads?
Which is updated more often, Monitor+ or The Director's Viewfinder?
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