# NDI Player vs Elgato Capture

The clearest difference is rating: Elgato Capture at 4.5 against NDI Player's 3.8. Elgato Capture also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 4) and ratings volume (320 vs 18). NDI Player's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 3 months). On price, ads, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. NDI Player sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. Elgato Capture asks for nothing beyond the download.

Elgato Capture holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Elgato Capture has 320 ratings behind it against 18, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 25% of NDI Player's written reviews are positive against 33% of Elgato Capture's.

NDI Player ships an update fortnightly, Elgato Capture every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and November 7, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | NDI Player | Elgato Capture |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.8 (18 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ndi-player/id1644447464/reviews) | **[4.5 (320 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/elgato-capture/id6456798479/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 18 | **320** |
| Positive reviews | 25.0% of reviews | **33.3% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Fortnightly** | Every 3 months |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 33 MB | 26 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.6** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad** | iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [TopDirector Corporation](https://appshunter.io/developer/1581209934) | [Corsair Memory, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/650718405) |

## What reviewers say

### NDI Player

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ndi-player/id1644447464)

This tool transforms your device into a convenient NDI source for live production. Create customized playlists, support multiple NDI formats, and utilize Apple Pencil for annotations. It offers seamless HDMI and AirPlay output with real-time audio monitoring.

**Highlights:** NDI source creation, Customized playlist, Screen mirroring/AirPlay output, Apple Pencil/Finger annotation, Multi-NDI source support, Real-time audio VU meter

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

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Using Apple Pencil or Finger | $4.99 | one-time |
| Movie Playback | $9.99 | one-time |
| HDMI & ScreenMirroring/AirPlay | $9.99 | one-time |
| List Playback | $14.99 | one-time |


### Elgato Capture

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/elgato-capture/id6456798479)

Record and stream high-quality video from your Elgato capture device directly to your iPad. Control video and audio settings, capture footage, and monitor your feed on the go. Perfect for content creators and gamers who need a portable setup.

**Highlights:** Connect Elgato capture cards and cameras to iPad, Customizable video resolution and frame rate, Flexible audio input and output control, Record footage and take screenshots, Store recordings on iPad or external storage, Use iPad as a full-screen monitor

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Turns iPad into PS5 monitor
- 👍 Captures footage to photos
- 👍 Functions as intended for capture
- 👍 Records to external SSD
- 👍 Great footage quality (M1 iPad Air)

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Freezes during calls (Discord)
- 🐛 No sound from Switch unless call ends
- 🐛 App stopped working (Neo)
- 🐛 No signal on new iPad 11th gen
- 🐛 Not working with iPad

**Reported bugs**

- App freezes and is unresponsive during calls
- No sound from console unless call is ended
- App stopped working with Neo
- No signal with new iPad 11th gen
- App crashes with OSStatus error -12743

**Requested features**

- Scale to fit image option
- Record microphone and Elgato simultaneously
- Add Chat Link Pro settings to app
- Record HDR on iPad
- Reset recording destination automatically


## Frequently asked questions

### Is NDI Player free?

NDI Player is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Elgato Capture free?

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

### Which has better reviews, NDI Player or Elgato Capture?

Elgato Capture is rated higher. NDI Player averages 3.8 out of 5 from 18 ratings, while Elgato Capture averages 4.5 from 320 ratings.

### Do NDI Player or Elgato Capture have ads?

Neither NDI Player nor Elgato Capture shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, NDI Player or Elgato Capture?

NDI Player ships an update fortnightly, and Elgato Capture every 3 months. Most recently, NDI Player was updated on November 3, 2026 and Elgato Capture on November 7, 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.*