Magnifying Glass vs Google Chrome
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Magnifying Glass
This app transforms your device into a powerful magnifying glass with infinite zoom and enhanced viewing options. It also functions as a zoomable camera with a dimmable flashlight, offering full control over focus and exposure.
- Infinite digital zoom
- Zoomable camera
- Freeze and enhance view
- Dimmable flashlight
- Image filters
- Rotate images
- Stabilization mode
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The original and still the best. The New York Times: Gadgetwise - App of the Week!!! "Of the several [magnification apps] I tried my favorite is Magnifying Glass from I-Beam. The iPhone app is simplicity itself. Turn it on, point the camera at the fine print and then touch the plus button until it is enlarged enough to read... "Two other built-in features I like about Magnifying Glass: the button that instantly resets the image to low magnification and the camera button which lets you take a photo of your close up." - Roy Furchgott, New York Times ************************************************************ Magnifying Glass is a convenient, fun, easy-to-use magnifying glass for your iPhone and iPad. With infinite zoom, the ability to rotate, freeze, filter and enhance the view, and full control over focus and exposure settings, Magnifying Glass is the most powerful app in its class. Magnifying Glass is also a fully functional zoomable camera! On top of that, it includes a built-in flashlight that is dimmable. Try it today to see why this was the New York Times app of the week! Magnifying Glass allows you to set focus, torch, and exposure settings on the iPhone and iPad cameras, giving you full control over what you are seeing. Magnifying Glass features include: - Infinite digital zoom - Fully functional zoomable camera - Ability to freeze the view and further enhance an image - Built-in flashlight - turn the iPhone torch on and off and have the ability to dim the light - Rotate the images coming from the camera - Eight different filters to enhance the live or frozen view*** - Special high contrast image filter to reveal hidden details in low light - Stabilization mode that ensures crisp and sharp images are captured - Support for both the front and back cameras Several interface themes or skins so you can personalize the app to your liking*** *** Feature available with upgrade
Google Chrome
This web browser offers fast and secure internet access, integrating Google Search and Lens for quick information retrieval. It provides robust security features like enhanced protection and password management, and syncs your data across devices for seamless browsing.
- Fast and secure browsing
- Google Search and Lens integration
- Enhanced protection mode
- Password manager
- Cross-device sync
- Tab groups
- Autofill
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Chrome helps you do what’s possible on the web. Download the fast, secure browser by Google. GET THE BEST OF GOOGLE IN CHROME • SEARCH WITH GOOGLE - Search and get answers on Google fast. Use your voice to search hands-free. • GOOGLE LENS - Search what you see on your screen or with your camera. • GOOGLE TRANSLATE - Explore the web in 130+ languages. Translate entire sites in one click. BROWSE WITH BEST-IN-CLASS SECURITY • ENHANCED PROTECTION MODE - Browse confidently with the highest level of Chrome’s security. • SAFETY CHECK - Get peace of mind with proactive safety alerts. • GOOGLE PASSWORD MANAGER - Securely generate and save passwords for fast sign-in, and get alerts if your passwords are at risk. ACCESS YOUR CHROME ACROSS DEVICES • SYNC ACROSS DEVICES - Save your things (like bookmarks, tabs, and passwords) and easily access them when you sign in to Chrome on your phone, computer or tablet. • TAB GROUPS - Create tab groups to stay organized across devices. • AUTOFILL - Save time typing by autofilling your saved payments, addresses and passwords. Feature availability varies by country and language. Compatibility varies. Check responses for accuracy.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Google Chrome at Free against Magnifying Glass's $1.99. Google Chrome also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 8 months) and ratings volume (4M vs 161). Magnifying Glass's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 25) and ads (none vs shown). On review sentiment, monetization model and device support 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
Google Chrome is free to download; Magnifying Glass costs $1.99 up front. Google Chrome sells 16 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Magnifying Glass asks for nothing beyond the download.
Google Chrome holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Google Chrome has 4M ratings behind it against 161, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 54% of Magnifying Glass's written reviews are positive against 61% of Google Chrome's.
Magnifying Glass ships an update every 8 months, Google Chrome weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Magnifying Glass | Google Chrome |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.4 (161 ratings) | 4.7 (4M ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 53.7% of reviews | 61.2% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 161 | 4M — better |
| Update frequency | Every 8 months | Weekly — better |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Freemium | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | — | #2 — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 9.0 — better | 18.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 36 MB | 419 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | I-Beam | |
Customer experience
Magnifying Glass
Google Chrome
Bugs and requests
Magnifying Glass
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
Google Chrome
Reported bugs
4 issues- Keyboard issues and lags
- Inconsistent behavior when closing tabs
- Unreliable bookmark syncing
- Compatibility problems with newer iOS versions
Requested features
4 requests- Customizable UI and layout options
- Improved tab management and session recovery
- Better support for extensions and add-ons
- Enhanced password management and syncing
In-app purchases
Magnifying Glass
No in-app purchases
Google Chrome
- 100 GB2 variants$1.991 Month
- 100 GB1 Month trial2 variants$1.991 Month
- 200 GB1 Month trial2 variants$2.991 Month
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- 200 GB2 variants$2.991 Month
- Google AI Plus (400 GB)$4.991 Month
- Google AI Plus (2 TB)1 Month trial2 variants$9.991 Month
- Google AI Plus (2 TB)$9.991 Month
- 100 GB2 variants$19.991 Year
- 100 GB1 Year trial$19.991 Year
- 100 GB1 Month trial$19.991 Year
- 5 TB$24.991 Month
- 200 GB1 Year trial$29.991 Year
- 2 TB1 Year trial$99.991 Year
- 30 TB2 variants$149.991 Month
- Google AI Ultra (30 TB)2 variants$249.991 Month
- 5 TB$249.991 Year
Questions
Is Magnifying Glass free?
Is Google Chrome free?
Which has better reviews, Magnifying Glass or Google Chrome?
Do Magnifying Glass or Google Chrome have ads?
Which is updated more often, Magnifying Glass or Google Chrome?
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