Comparison

Slow Shutter Cam vs SWRLY

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

Head to head
About

Slow Shutter Cam

Capture stunning long exposure photographs with three distinct modes: Motion Blur for dynamic effects, Light Trail for light painting, and Low Light for enhanced detail. Achieve DSLR-quality results with manual controls and real-time previews.

Highlights
  • Motion Blur capture mode
  • Light Trail capture mode
  • Low Light capture mode
  • Unlimited shutter speed
  • Manual ISO control
  • Real-time live preview
  • Multiple exposure photos
Features
Read full description

Slow Shutter Cam brings new life into your device's photo toolbox by letting you capture a variety of amazing slow shutter speed effects that you only thought you could get with a DSLR. Continue reading to learn more about this unique app! ----------------------- • Featured numerous times by Apple: - App Store Essentials: Camera & Photography - Photography for Professionals - Total Control - Extraordinary Photo Apps - Best New App ----------------------- "It’s one of those rare photography apps that creates effects that few others are capable of, and it does it easily and with better results." — Marty Yawnick, Life In LoFi ----------------------- How many times have you tried to capture artful images with your iPhone camera but were left wishing you had more features to work with? Slow Shutter Cam puts an end to mere snapshots and gives you some of the most powerful features of a DSLR camera. All this, in a package that fits in your pocket. Slow Shutter Cam offers three capture modes to capture unique images: MOTION BLUR: Equivalent to the shutter priority mode on a DSLR, the Motion Blur mode is perfect for creating ghost images, waterfall effects or suggesting movement in your photographs by adding a blur. LIGHT TRAIL: The Light Trail mode allows you to 'paint' with light, show car light trails and fireworks or capture any other moving light in a unique way. Unlike shooting with a DSLR and being tied to specific rigid settings to obtain good results, the Light Trail mode takes care of the essentials, letting your creativity soar! LOW LIGHT: In low light conditions, this capture mode allows the camera to accumulate every photon of light hitting the sensor. The longer the shutter speed, the more light it will accumulate. You can even fine-tune the result using the exposure compensation slider to achieve the exact effect you want! Highlights: • Unlimited Shutter Speed and manual ISO • Option to resume capture and create multiple exposure photos • Real time live preview - See the result in real time • Innovative 'Freeze' and ‘Blur Strength’ controls • Tap to adjust focus/exposure • Time-lapse Intervalometer • Apple Watch support and handy Self-Timer • Full resolution support on every devices • Camera Control support (iPhone 16) With Slow Shutter Cam on your iPhone you get the features of a DSLR camera with the convenience of a device that you can drop in your pocket and take with you wherever you go. Download it now and put an end to mere snapshots! Search #slowshuttercam on Instagram or visit the "Slow Shutter Cam - iPhone" group on flickr for amazing samples!

About

SWRLY

Recreate the unique swirly bokeh effect of the 1840 Petzval lens. This app is ideal for portraits, offering a sharp center with artistic background blur. Explore antique film presets for a vintage photographic feel.

Highlights
  • Authentic swirly bokeh effect
  • Ideal for portraits
  • Depth and TrueDepth support
  • Antique film presets
  • Easy to use
Features
Read full description

SWRLY is a modern take on the original swirly lens, the Petzval, created in 1840 by Josef Petzval. This lens design was one of the first portrait lenses and is characterized by a unique swirly bokeh effect. Many of the earliest photos (daguerreotypes, tintypes, etc.) were captured with Petzval lenses. The Petzval lens has a sharp center region surrounded by swirly bokeh, making it fantastic for portraits. SWRLY is the first app to faithfully recreate this effect. FEATURES - Unique swirly bokeh authentic to the original lens - Great for portraits with Depth and TrueDepth support - Simple to use with great results - Presets like antique film types such as daguerreotype, tintype, etc. Get SWRLY now!

Screenshots

Slow Shutter Cam4 screens
SWRLY4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Slow Shutter Cam at every 2 weeks against SWRLY's every 4 months. Slow Shutter Cam also leads on ratings volume (2.8K vs 88) and review sentiment (71% vs 55%). SWRLY's advantage is iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.0). On rating, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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

Slow Shutter Cam costs $2.99 and SWRLY $4.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for Slow Shutter Cam against 4.5 for SWRLY. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Slow Shutter Cam has 2.8K ratings behind it against 88, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 71% of Slow Shutter Cam's written reviews are positive against 55% of SWRLY's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Slow Shutter Cam ships an update every 2 weeks, SWRLY every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and October 29, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
Slow Shutter Cam versus SWRLY: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSlow Shutter CamSWRLY
Price$2.99 — better$4.99
Rating4.6 (2.8K ratings) — better4.5 (88 ratings)
Positive reviews71.5% of reviews — better54.8% of reviews
Number of ratings2.8K — better88
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterEvery 4 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
Best chart rank#20 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple WatchiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS16.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size5 MB45 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperCogitap SoftwareJames Grote

Customer experience

Slow Shutter Cam

All ratings2,812 ratings
Positive91.5%
Neutral3.0%
Negative5.6%
Written reviews1,249 reviews
Positive71.5%
Neutral6.9%
Negative21.6%

SWRLY

All ratings88 ratings
Positive88.6%
Neutral3.4%
Negative8.0%
Written reviews31 reviews
Positive54.8%
Neutral3.2%
Negative41.9%

Bugs and requests

Slow Shutter Cam

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Lens flare or distortion issues on some devices
  • Inconsistent performance on iPhone 11 Pro Max
  • Saved photos not showing up in camera roll

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add support for RAW image format
  • Implement a hands-free bulb mode with remote activation
  • Include a countdown timer for stabilizing the camera
  • Integrate with Apple Watch for easier shutter control
  • Provide more detailed tutorials and guidance for beginners

SWRLY

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Slow Shutter Cam

No in-app purchases

None

SWRLY

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Slow Shutter Cam free?
Slow Shutter Cam costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is SWRLY free?
SWRLY costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Slow Shutter Cam or SWRLY?
Slow Shutter Cam is rated higher. Slow Shutter Cam averages 4.6 out of 5 from 2.8K ratings, while SWRLY averages 4.5 from 88 ratings.
Do Slow Shutter Cam or SWRLY have ads?
Neither Slow Shutter Cam nor SWRLY shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Slow Shutter Cam or SWRLY?
Slow Shutter Cam ships an update every 2 weeks, and SWRLY every 4 months. Most recently, Slow Shutter Cam was updated on November 2, 2026 and SWRLY on October 29, 2026.

Other comparisons