# Mosaic Journal vs Lapse

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Mosaic Journal at 87% against Lapse's 42%. Mosaic Journal also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.8). Lapse's advantage is update cadence (daily vs every 2 weeks) and monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

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

Mosaic Journal holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Lapse has 118K ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 87% of Mosaic Journal's written reviews are positive against 42% of Lapse's.

Mosaic Journal ships an update every 2 weeks, Lapse daily. The most recent releases landed on October 19, 2026 and October 23, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Mosaic Journal | Lapse |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[5.0 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mosaic-journal/id1608183862/reviews)** | [4.8 (118K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lapse-disposable-camera/id1636699256/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 3 | **118K** |
| Positive reviews | **87.1% of reviews** | 41.9% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | **Daily** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 208 MB | 69 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.4** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Mosaic Journal LTD](https://appshunter.io/developer/1608183864) | [Lapse](https://appshunter.io/developer/1493084370) |

## What reviewers say

### Mosaic Journal

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mosaic-journal/id1608183862)

This app helps you appreciate your photos by creating a visual daily journal. It automatically sends you prints each month to build a physical album, preserving your memories outside of digital platforms. It encourages mindful reflection on your daily moments.

**Highlights:** Visual daily journaling, Automatic monthly print delivery, Physical album creation, Caption and written entry space, Tagging for people and location, Breaks photos out of social media

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### Lapse

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lapse-disposable-camera/id1636699256)

Transform your phone into a retro disposable camera. Capture moments spontaneously and develop them later, freeing you from the pressure of perfection. Relive your experiences through personalized recap videos.

**Highlights:** Disposable camera simulation, Shoot now, develop later, Uncurated photo capture, Customizable memory recaps, Retro photo effects

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🤍 Vintage aesthetic
- 🤩 Unique disposable camera concept
- 🌟 Captures everyday moments
- 😊 Intimate sharing with friends
- 🎨 Customizable profile

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🤯 Overly complicated sign-up process
- 🙄 Forced invites to use the app
- 🤖 Excessive notifications
- 🤔 Inability to delete or edit photos
- 🙃 Buggy and glitchy performance

**Reported bugs**

- Camera not working for some users
- Photos not saving properly
- Inability to log back into account
- Persistent issues with deleting account

**Requested features**

- Add option to save raw photos without watermark
- Implement a self-timer for photos
- Allow uploading existing photos to the app
- Add ability to reply to comments
- Improve photo sharing and messaging features


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Mosaic Journal free?

Mosaic Journal is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Lapse free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Mosaic Journal or Lapse?

Mosaic Journal is rated higher. Mosaic Journal averages 5.0 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while Lapse averages 4.8 from 118K ratings.

### Do Mosaic Journal or Lapse have ads?

Neither Mosaic Journal nor Lapse shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Mosaic Journal or Lapse?

Mosaic Journal ships an update every 2 weeks, and Lapse daily. Most recently, Mosaic Journal was updated on October 19, 2026 and Lapse on October 23, 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.*