Comparison

HDReye vs ThingLink AR Viewer

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

Head to head
About

HDReye

Create custom 360° HDRi images for realistic 3D lighting and compositing directly from your phone. Capture bracketed panoramas and generate 32-bit EXR files for seamless integration with 3D software and AR development.

Highlights
  • Create 360° HDRi images
  • Shoot bracketed multi-exposure panoramas
  • Generate 32-bit .EXR files
  • Realistic 3D lighting and compositing
  • Image-based lighting solution
  • Access to crowdsourced HDRi collection
Features
Read full description

Finally, an app to shoot 360° HDRis with your phone. HDReye is the first and only iOS app for creating custom 360° HDRi images for realistic 3D lighting and compositing. Just select your desired dynamic range, follow the prompts to shoot a bracketed multi-exposure panorama of your location, and HDReye will stitch and generate a 32-bit (.EXR format) HDRi of your location. HDReye is an essential app for combining 3D animation realistically with footage or capturing lightmaps of any location. What used to require an expensive 360° camera or chrome ball light probe, now can be done conveniently on your phone with HDReye. Whether you are an independent 3D artist, VFX studio, AR developer, NFT artist, content creator, or just a hobbyist - HDReye is here to make your workflow simpler and renders more realistic. HDReye is your image-based lighting solution. Compatible with all 3D packages and render engines including Cinema 4D, Blender, Houdini, Maya, 3D Studio Max, Adobe After Effects, Element 3D, OTOY Octane Render, Redshift, V-ray, Arnold, Unreal Engine, Unity, Spark AR, and more. HDReye users also have access to the largest crowdsourced collection of HDRi images in the world. HDReye also works well for capturing 360° panoramas similar to the Google Street View app. Terms of Use: http://hdreye.app/terms/ Privacy Policy: http://hdreye.app/privacy/

About

ThingLink AR Viewer

Features
Read full description

ThingLink offers the easiest and fastest way to create interactive learning experiences in 2D, VR and AR. This can be viewed with the new ThingLink AR Viewer App. Now, a smartphone or tablet can be a portal to a vibrant world brimming with multimedia information, offering interactive experiences like never before. Transform Your Environment Using advanced AR technology, ThingLink allows you to create immersive hotspots on any object or image. Add multimedia tags to paintings, statues, buildings, business operations or even work place objects, unlocking layers of information and insights in an instant. View with the ThingLink AR Viewer App and discover the extraordinary in the ordinary. Impactful Training with Mixed Reality Change the way your learners engage with your training with ThingLink through the ThingLink AR Viewer App. From educational institutions to corporate training, the app provides an opportunity for experiential learning. Make complex topics, physical processes or even machinery easier to understand and more engaging through interactive, hands-on experiences. Increase Accessibility Accessible content is paramount. ThingLink is designed to break down barriers and open up new opportunities for exploration for everyone. We've built an app that's not just easy to use but also makes learning fun and inclusive. No matter your age or tech skill level, you can dive right into this augmented world with the ThingLink Viewer App. Efficiency & Effectiveness ThingLink is designed to help you to be as efficient and effective as possible. No more dealing with cluttered information signs or panels on each object. With the ThingLink AR Viewer App your viewers simply point their device at the image, tap on the hotspot, and access information seamlessly. A whole catalog of objects or artifacts can be accessed with one short code. Retain the original aesthetic integrity of your location, no need for ‘out of context’ information panels disrupting the experience. Drive Engagement Engagement is the key to a memorable experience,ThingLink and the ThingLink AR Viewer App excels in this area. By adding interactivity to images, you're not just looking at artifacts - you're truly experiencing them. Dive deep into historical contexts, gain artistic insights, or even share personal stories attached to objects - the possibilities are endless. FEATURES In ThingLink create and Share Hotspots: Create hotspots on any object or image, enriching them with multimedia tags. Share these with friends, family, or the world. View with the ThingLink AR Viewer App. Augmented Learning: Unleash the full potential of learning by bringing AR into classrooms or your daily learning routines. Enhance knowledge absorption and retention in a fun, interactive way. Easy Navigation: Our intuitive interface ensures that everyone can use the app with ease. No technical know-how is required. Safe and Secure: Your privacy matters to us. The ThingLink AR App is designed with robust security measures to ensure your content is protected. Embrace the future with ThingLink and the ThingLink AR Viewer App - where reality meets imagination. Download it today and begin your journey in augmented reality.

Screenshots

HDReye4 screens
ThingLink AR Viewer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: ThingLink AR Viewer at none against HDReye's 4. On price, update cadence, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. HDReye sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month. ThingLink AR Viewer asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

HDReye ships an update monthly, ThingLink AR Viewer every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 19, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
HDReye versus ThingLink AR Viewer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHDReyeThingLink AR Viewer
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (770 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews29.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings770 — better—
Update frequencyMonthly — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.015.0
Further details — not scored
Size90 MB5 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHDReye Technologies Inc.Thinglink

Bugs and requests

HDReye

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Account deletion issues
  • Stuck on processing/uploading
  • Disappearing credits

Requested features

4 requests
  • Free trial or preview option
  • Ability to stitch locally on device
  • One-time purchase option
  • Improved stitching algorithm

ThingLink AR Viewer

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

4 purchases

HDReye

Subscriptions3
  • HDReye Pro$6.991 Month
  • HDReye Pro3 Days trial$6.991 Month
  • HDReye Pro$39.991 Year
One-time1
  • Asset unlock$2.99
None

ThingLink AR Viewer

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is HDReye free?
HDReye is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is ThingLink AR Viewer free?
ThingLink AR Viewer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do HDReye or ThingLink AR Viewer have ads?
Neither HDReye nor ThingLink AR Viewer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, HDReye or ThingLink AR Viewer?
HDReye ships an update monthly, and ThingLink AR Viewer every 2 months. Most recently, HDReye was updated on September 22, 2026 and ThingLink AR Viewer on September 19, 2026.

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