# Chromatic Vision Simulator vs phyphox

The clearest difference is update cadence: phyphox at every 3 months against Chromatic Vision Simulator's every 11 months. phyphox also leads on ratings volume (272 vs 58) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 14.0). On price, rating, review sentiment and ads there is nothing between them.

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

phyphox holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 58 and 272 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 85% of Chromatic Vision Simulator's written reviews are positive against 79% of phyphox's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Chromatic Vision Simulator ships an update every 11 months, phyphox every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 15, 2026 and September 26, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Chromatic Vision Simulator | phyphox |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.4 (58 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chromatic-vision-simulator/id389310222/reviews) | **[4.6 (272 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/phyphox/id1127319693/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 58 | **272** |
| Positive reviews | **84.9% of reviews** | 78.9% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 11 months | **Every 3 months** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 6 MB | 19 MB |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 | **12.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Kazunori Asada](https://appshunter.io/developer/388924061) | [RWTH Aachen University](https://appshunter.io/developer/371466796) |

## What reviewers say

### Chromatic Vision Simulator

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chromatic-vision-simulator/id389310222)

Simulate various types of color vision deficiencies in real-time using your device's camera or photos. Understand how individuals with protanopia, deuteranopia, or tritanopia perceive the world by visualizing color differences.

**Highlights:** Simulates color vision deficiencies, Real-time camera simulation, Photo simulation, Supports protanope/protanomal, Supports deuteranope/deuteranomal, Supports tritanope/tritanomal

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### phyphox

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/phyphox/id1127319693)

Unlock your phone's sensors for scientific exploration. Conduct pre-built experiments or create your own using accelerometers, magnetometers, and more. Analyze and export data in various formats for further study.

**Highlights:** Pre-defined experiments, Data export (CSV, TSV, Excel), Web-based remote control, Custom experiment editor, Access to phone sensors, Advanced analysis functions

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 💡 Access to phone sensors
- 🔬 Useful for physics experiments
- 📊 Data logging and export
- 🆓 Free and no ads
- 🤔 Sparks curiosity

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Bugs and crashes
- 📉 Inconsistent performance
- 🔒 App locks/minimizes recording
- ❓ Units not always clear
- ⚠️ Potential for device damage

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes on older devices
- Barometer not working on iOS 17.4
- Network error: Generic error
- Sound measurement curve disappears
- App crashes frequently

**Requested features**

- Add infrasound detector
- More units of measurement (G-force, PSI, feet)
- NFC/RFID support
- In-app bug report feature
- Allow other sensors via USB-C


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Chromatic Vision Simulator free?

Chromatic Vision Simulator is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is phyphox free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Chromatic Vision Simulator or phyphox?

phyphox is rated higher. Chromatic Vision Simulator averages 4.4 out of 5 from 58 ratings, while phyphox averages 4.6 from 272 ratings.

### Do Chromatic Vision Simulator or phyphox have ads?

Neither Chromatic Vision Simulator nor phyphox shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Chromatic Vision Simulator or phyphox?

Chromatic Vision Simulator ships an update every 11 months, and phyphox every 3 months. Most recently, Chromatic Vision Simulator was updated on September 15, 2026 and phyphox on September 26, 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.*