HDRI Prep vs prefx
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
HDRI Prep
This utility helps visual effects professionals create HDRI bracketing sets for RICOH THETA 360 cameras. It allows for quick definition, organization, and reuse of bracket settings, streamlining on-set workflows for HDR photography.
- Define custom bracket sets (3-19 photos, 1-3 stops apart)
- Set Aperture, ISO, and Color Temperature for all photos at once
- Define Center Shutter Speed to extend exposures
- Name, organize, and reorder brackets by show
- Duplicate and move bracket sets between shows
- View photos read directly from the camera
- Quickly adjust camera speaker volume and auto-sleep time
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Build a library of HDRI exposure brackets for your RICOH THETA V, Z1 or X, and fire them off on set in seconds. The THETA can shoot multi-exposure brackets, but setting them up in the official app is slow, and you can't save them to reuse later. HDRI Prep fixes that. Set up a bracket once, name it, file it under your show, and call it up whenever the lighting calls for it. BUILD BRACKETS THE WAY YOU THINK • Choose 3 to 19 photos, 1 to 3 stops apart. No need to set each exposure by hand. • Pick a center shutter speed, and the bracket spreads evenly above and below it. • Set aperture, ISO and color temperature for the whole bracket at once. Choices are limited to what your camera can actually do. ORGANIZED FOR PRODUCTION • Name brackets, group them by show, drag to reorder, and copy or move them between shows. • Each bracket is tinted by its color temperature, so tungsten and daylight setups stand out at a glance. ON SET • Live View, flat or as a 360° view you can drag around, to check the frame before you shoot. • A shot counter and timer while the bracket runs, and Cancel if you need to stop. • View the photos from that bracket the moment it finishes. • Browse the camera's photos, inspect them full screen or in 360°, share them to Photos, Files or AirDrop, or delete them from the camera. • Find nearby THETAs and join their Wi-Fi from the app. Cameras you've used are remembered. • Adjust the camera's shutter volume and sleep delay. TRY IT WITHOUT A CAMERA Demo Mode loads sample 360° brackets so you can explore every feature before you plug in a THETA. Works on iPhone, iPad and iPhone Duo, and includes a built-in Manual. GOOD TO KNOW • HDRI Prep connects over the camera's own Wi-Fi (the camera's access-point mode). • Shutter volume and sleep delay are saved to the camera itself, so they stay set even when HDRI Prep isn't running. • HDRI Prep focuses on bracketing. It isn't a replacement for the official THETA app, which works well alongside it. Built by a VFX artist for VFX artists. If "HDRI" and "THETA" mean something to you, this was made for you. HDRI Prep is not affiliated with or endorsed by RICOH. RICOH THETA is a trademark of Ricoh Company, Ltd. Site and Privacy Policy: https://squirrelfx.llc/hdri-prep.html
prefx
Transform your device into an interactive digital prop for film and video production. Customize on-screen content, simulate social media feeds, and utilize professional VFX tools for seamless on-set integration and post-production.
- Interactive prop themes
- Customizable UI and social media simulation
- Professional VFX tools (Chroma Key, Markers)
- On-set utility (Emissive Lighting, Status Bar Control)
- Privacy-focused, offline ready
- Global language support
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Turn your iPhone, iPad or connected display into an interactive screen prop for film and TV. Script a conversation, stage a call, scroll a social feed or put navigation on screen for a scene. prefx gives filmmakers controllable interfaces that actors can use during a take. TRY EVERY TOOL FREE Explore the entire app with a watermark, with no time limit. Set up your scenes and test the tools before you buy. One in-app purchase removes the watermark. New purchases are one-time, not subscriptions. SCREEN PROPS FOR YOUR SCENE - Operator: a simulated phone with a lock screen, home screen, calls, Messages and Contacts. - Messenger: scripted conversations, typing and multiple chat styles, including Glass, Classic, Encrypted and AI Chat with a voice mode. - Maps: simulated turn-by-turn navigation with City, Suburb and Countryside maps. Script 3 to 8 directions and set the destination, traffic and accent colour. Maps is a screen prop, not a navigation service. - Social: a scrolling feed and Activity tab. - Streamer: a streaming-style interface with Top 10, Continue Watching, New & Hot and My List. - News: a news interface with a new Modern edition. - Scrambler: Scramble any photo or video like a signal from something not of this world. (Output to External Screen) SET UP. LAUNCH. REPEAT. Save setups and return to them for another take. Hold two fingers on any prop or screen to open the Director menu, where you can restart, change settings or exit. Control the fake status bar, including an optional carrier name, and edit the photos you add with the built-in Photo Editor. VFX BACKGROUNDS AND SCREEN LIGHTING Prepare green, blue or grey chroma backgrounds and tracking markers for screen replacement in post-production. Use RGB and colour-temperature controls for screen-based practical lighting. PHONE, IPAD AND EXTERNAL DISPLAYS Use props on iPhone and iPad, with full-screen props on iPad during a take. Send supported props and screens to a compatible external display connected through USB-C/HDMI. REDESIGNED FOR THE WAY YOU WORK Find props in Apps and VFX tools in Screens. Choose Light, Dark or Match iPhone appearance. The on-screen apps have been rebuilt with iOS 26-style interfaces, and prefx is available in 11 languages. Try your next scene free. When you're ready to film without the watermark, remove it with one purchase. Use Restore Purchases to restore an existing purchase. Developed by baffe, LLC. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://www.baffefilms.com/privacy
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: prefx at Free against HDRI Prep's $9.99. prefx also leads on update cadence (every 9 days vs every 9 months). HDRI Prep's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4). On ads, device support 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
prefx is free to download; HDRI Prep costs $9.99 up front. prefx sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. HDRI Prep asks for nothing beyond the download.
HDRI Prep ships an update every 9 months, prefx every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 26, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | HDRI Prep | prefx |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $9.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | — | 5.0 (3 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | — | 3 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 9 months | Every 9 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Paid | Freemium — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 11 MB | 33 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | Squirrel FX LLC | baffe, LLC |
Customer experience
HDRI Prep
prefx
In-app purchases
HDRI Prep
No in-app purchases
prefx
- prefx Monthly$9.991 Month
- prefx Annual$59.991 Year
- prefx Pro$29.99
- prefx Lifetime$99.99









