# IR explorer vs Thermal Vision FX Camera

The clearest difference is rating: Thermal Vision FX Camera at 4.4 against IR explorer's 3.1. Thermal Vision FX Camera also leads on ratings volume (795 vs 49). IR explorer's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and monetization model (free vs ad-supported). On price, review sentiment, update cadence and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Thermal Vision FX Camera holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 3.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Thermal Vision FX Camera has 795 ratings behind it against 49, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 27% of IR explorer's written reviews are positive against 21% of Thermal Vision FX Camera's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

IR explorer ships an update fortnightly, Thermal Vision FX Camera every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 27, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | IR explorer | Thermal Vision FX Camera |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.1 (49 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ir-explorer/id1580206229/reviews) | **[4.4 (795 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/thermal-vision-fx-camera-itvc/id6444025764/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 49 | **795** |
| Positive reviews | **27.4% of reviews** | 21.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Fortnightly** | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | **Free** | Ad-supported |
| Size | 75 MB | 9 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 15.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [InfiRay Technologies Co.,Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1516230719) | [Masaharu Tsukamoto](https://appshunter.io/developer/939316877) |

## What reviewers say

### IR explorer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ir-explorer/id1580206229)

This app transforms your smartphone into an infrared camera, allowing you to see objects emitting heat in dark environments. It offers clear imaging, various filter effects, and real-time temperature detection for outdoor enthusiasts and professionals.

**Highlights:** Infrared camera functionality, Clear night vision imaging, Temperature detection, Multiple filter effects, Hot spot tracking, Laser pointing function

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Thermal Vision FX Camera

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/thermal-vision-fx-camera-itvc/id6444025764)

Apply real-time thermal-style heat vision filters to your camera feed. Enhance your photos and videos with unique visual effects. Supports standard iOS screen recording for video capture.

**Highlights:** Real-time thermal vision filters, Live heat imaging effects, Video recording via iOS screen recording, Photo and video enhancement

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- ⭐ Great app
- 💫 Magic
- 🔍 Detected heat signatures

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🚫 Does not work
- 💤 Only shows light, not heat
- 📺 Too many ads
- 🔍 Not a real thermal camera
- 🤔 Doesn't work in the dark

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes
- Freezes
- Incompatible with some devices

**Requested features**

- Exit full screen mode
- Night vision mode


## Frequently asked questions

### Is IR explorer free?

IR explorer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Thermal Vision FX Camera free?

Thermal Vision FX Camera is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, IR explorer or Thermal Vision FX Camera?

Thermal Vision FX Camera is rated higher. IR explorer averages 3.1 out of 5 from 49 ratings, while Thermal Vision FX Camera averages 4.4 from 795 ratings.

### Do IR explorer or Thermal Vision FX Camera have ads?

Thermal Vision FX Camera shows ads; IR explorer does not.

### Which is updated more often, IR explorer or Thermal Vision FX Camera?

IR explorer ships an update fortnightly, and Thermal Vision FX Camera every 3 weeks. Most recently, IR explorer was updated on October 24, 2026 and Thermal Vision FX Camera on October 27, 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.*