Comparison

Macro Mode vs Macro Lens

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

Head to head
About

Macro Mode

Capture detailed close-up photos and videos with advanced manual controls for focus and exposure. This app automatically selects the best lens for macro shots and supports high-resolution video recording with HDR.

Highlights
  • Macro photography and videography
  • Focus peaking and manual controls
  • Adjustable LED flashlight brightness
  • Automatic optimal lens selection
  • 4K 60fps and 1080p 240fps slow-motion video
  • HDR Dolby Vision support
Read full description

Shoot stunning macro photos and videos with your iPhone or iPad using Macro Mode. Focus Peaking & Manual Controls Precisely adjust focus and exposure using a simple slider. You can even control the brightness of the LED flashlight to get just the right amount of light on your subject. Always the Right Lens Macro Mode automatically uses the optimal lens for macro shots, avoiding switching between the ultra-wide and wide lenses. Macro Videos Record videos in up to 4K at 60 fps or 1080p slow motion at 240 fps, with full HDR Dolby Vision support.

About

Macro Lens

This camera app offers a streamlined workflow for macro photography, providing real-time controls for focus, zoom, and flash intensity. It allows for quick switching between photo and video modes, and optionally tags captures with location data for better organization.

Highlights
  • Streamlined interface for fast shooting
  • Manual focus and zoom sliders
  • Adjustable flash intensity
  • Quick photo/video mode switching
  • Location-aware capture tagging
  • Clear permission onboarding
Read full description

Simple yet powerful, Macro Lens is an all-in-one camera app designed for macro photography enthusiasts. Macro Lens gives iPhone creators a focused macro workflow with real-time controls for focus, zoom, flash intensity, and brightness, plus quick switching between photo and video. • Streamlined Interface: Keep your attention on the subject with dedicated adjustment panels and convenient shortcuts. Touch and hold a control to access its options. • Easy Setup: Get started with guided camera and photo library permissions. Location access is optional, and no account is required. • Manual and Auto Focus: Fine-tune focus with a dedicated slider, or enable continuous autofocus to let the camera adjust as you compose your shot. • Zoom and Pinch Control: Frame tiny subjects using the Zoom slider or a familiar pinch gesture directly on the camera preview. • Adjustable Lighting: Control continuous torch intensity to illuminate small subjects and balance light on dark or reflective surfaces. • Brightness Control: Adjust exposure to brighten or darken your image before capturing. • Photo and Video Modes: Switch directly on the camera screen to capture still images or motion. Record video at 60 fps when supported by your iPhone’s camera configuration. • Photo Viewfinder: Enable an optional overview with a framing guide to help you compose shots while zoomed in. Drag it to either upper corner—the app remembers your preferred position. • Camera Control Support: Take photos and start or stop video recording using the physical Camera Control button on compatible iPhones. • Lock Screen and Control Center Access: Add the Macro Lens control to quickly open the camera from your Lock Screen or Control Center. • Keep the Screen Awake: Take your time composing and capturing without interruptions from Auto-Lock while the app is active. • Save to Photos: Captured photos and videos are saved directly to your photo library. • Optional Location Tags: Add location information to your photos and videos to help you remember where each shot was taken. Have an idea for Macro Lens? Submit a feature request directly from Settings or contact us by email for support. Requires iOS 26 or later. Close-focus capability, torch availability, and video frame rates depend on your iPhone’s camera hardware.

Screenshots

Macro Mode4 screens
Macro Lens4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Macro Mode at 4.4 against Macro Lens's 3.6. Macro Mode also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ratings volume (95 vs 5). Macro Lens's advantage is update cadence (monthly vs every 7 months) and review sentiment (73% vs 60%). On ads 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

Macro Mode costs $2.99 and Macro Lens $4.99 up front. Macro Lens sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Macro Mode asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Macro Mode holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 3.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Macro Mode has 95 ratings behind it against 5, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 60% of Macro Mode's written reviews are positive against 73% of Macro Lens's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Macro Mode ships an update every 7 months, Macro Lens monthly. Both last shipped on October 13, 2026.

Scorecard10 real differences · 1 level
Macro Mode versus Macro Lens: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMacro ModeMacro Lens
Price$2.99 — better$4.99
Rating4.4 (95 ratings) — better3.6 (5 ratings)
Positive reviews59.5% of reviews72.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings95 — better5
Update frequencyEvery 7 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
Best chart rank#105 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size3 MB16 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperKenneth KaoEduardo Callado

Customer experience

Macro Mode

All ratings95 ratings
Positive86.3%
Neutral2.1%
Negative11.6%
Written reviews42 reviews
Positive59.5%
Neutral2.4%
Negative38.1%

Macro Lens

All ratings5 ratings
Positive60.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative40.0%
Written reviews11 reviews
Positive72.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative27.3%

In-app purchases

None

Macro Mode

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Macro Lens

One-time1
  • Tip the develop$0.99

Questions

Is Macro Mode free?
Macro Mode costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Macro Lens free?
Macro Lens costs $4.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Macro Mode or Macro Lens?
Macro Mode is rated higher. Macro Mode averages 4.4 out of 5 from 95 ratings, while Macro Lens averages 3.6 from 5 ratings.
Do Macro Mode or Macro Lens have ads?
Neither Macro Mode nor Macro Lens shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Macro Mode or Macro Lens?
Macro Mode ships an update every 7 months, and Macro Lens monthly. Most recently, Macro Mode was updated on October 13, 2026 and Macro Lens on October 13, 2026.

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