Comparison

Timecode vs Helios Sun, Moon, Star Pre

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

Head to head
About

Timecode

Perform fast, ultra-precise timecode calculations and film unit conversions. View multiple units simultaneously on any frame rate, including film rolls and frame results. Save and share your calculations in an elegant log.

Highlights
  • Timecode calculations
  • Film unit conversions
  • Multiple unit display
  • Preset formats and frame rates
  • Comprehensive calculation log
  • Elegant user interface
Features
Read full description

Timecode by Panoptik is the most attractive Timecode calculator on the market (if we do say so ourselves). It is the only professional choice for performing fast, ultra-precise timecode calculations and film unit conversions. Using Timecode, you can calculate and convert any timecode into any other timecode or unit at the touch of a button. Timecode displays four user-definable units at once, allowing you to view conversions on any frame rate like 29.97 fps, 25 fps, rolls of film and frame results at the same time. Do you need to know more? OK, OK not only can you do all those fancy frame and film rate calculations but it also gathers them together in an elegant little log that can be forwarded on to anyone who needs to know. Packed under the hood of its deceptively simple interface is one of the most robust timecode math engines on the planet, designed by a team of filmmakers, editors, designers, technicians and developers. Thanks to Timecode’s peerless combination of precision software engineering and clear, contemporary design, complicated timecode calculations are more simple than they have ever been. Honestly, you need this in your life. FEATURES: - Over 10 different preset formats - Over 10 preset frame rates and units - Unique, elegant user interface makes calculating timecode and footage a pleasure - Mix any units you desire. From feet to frames to HD to PAL to NTSC to IMAX and beyond! - Simply tap on the settings button to reveal format and framerate options - View your previous calculations in the comprehensive log Requirements: Timecode works with any iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch running iOS version 14.0 or later

About

Helios Sun, Moon, Star Pre

Plan your photo and video shoots with precision by predicting the exact position of the sun, moon, and stars. Visualize light and shadow in various environments, from urban landscapes to underwater scenes, ensuring you capture the perfect shot at the ideal moment.

Highlights
  • Live View camera overlay
  • Street View sun mapping
  • 360º image integration
  • 3D landscape visualization
  • 3D building shadow prediction
  • Underwater light reaction analysis
Features
Read full description

The greatest challenge faced ny photographers and cinematographers when shooting on location is predicting where the sun, moon or stars might be at any given moment, to create the best visual effect. It's a time critical process, to be in exactly the right place, at exactly the right time. It might be predicting where the sun will set behind a wide shot of Manhattan on a particular day... It might be planning when to shoot the moon so it perfectly backlights the ocean... It might be to schedule where the Milky Way might be at its brightest at the edge of the Sahara Desert... Helios is the one tool you need to plan in any of these situations. Included in Helios are a number of tools suitable for different situations: Live View This allows you to see a camera overlay showing where the sun might appear through a window. Just frame up the shot you want to do, and observe where the sun might be at any time, on any day in the future. Street View The position of the sun on any future day is mapped over the 360º images in Google Street View. Virtual Stand-Ins of people, animals & vehicles can be placed to view how the sun or moon might light them. MapView This is graphic representation of the position and height of the sun on a top-down map. Great when planning multiple shots in a specific location throughout a shooting day. 3D Landscape View Using modeled 3D landscapes, the path and character of the sun can be visualized during the course of a day. Again, Virtual -Stand-Ins can be used to help visualize how light might make subject look different at various times during the day. 3D Building View Using the same tools as 3D Landscape view, this is for use in urban settings, where building throw shadows, depending on where the sun might be at any given time. Underwater View Helps predict the way light reacts when shooting beneath the waves. From our users.... Craig Wrobleski CSC Cinematographer FUBAR, A Man in Full, Matlock,The Umbrella Academy, Fargo, Legion, In the Tall Grass, X-Files “Both Artemis Pro and Helios Pro have become indispensable tools for me. Artemis is the most effective way to find common compositional ground with directors and camera operators, and is especially great for large format cameras like the Alexa 65 and the LF. Helios Pro is invaluable for scouting and scheduling the day to chase the light and capture it. The new features in Helios Pro mean you can be in a meeting and show everyone how the light will travel in a 3D rendering of an exterior location on the exact day we plan to shoot. I can’t imagine working without these tools.” Robert McLachlan ASC, CSC Cinematographer/Director American Gigolo, 1923, Yellowstone, Landman,Ray Donovan, The Affair, Game of Thrones, Westworld “On Game of Thrones we often scouted locations months in advance...it was critical in the down to the minute schedule planning we made for the Dance of Dragons sequence...with Helios you’re way ahead of the game in both prep and on set.” Oliver Curtis BSC Cinematographer Urban Myths, Hamlet Within, A Little Life, ,The Wedding Date, Death at a Funeral, Owning Mahowny, Vanity Fair "Helios has become an indispensable tool in my work... With the addition of AR in Helios Pro the level of preparedness for all departments is that much higher. With today’s budgets and schedules this level of information accuracy is invaluable.” Gary Varney Gaffer Eternals, The King's Man, Wicked,The Deep Blue Sea, Sexy Beast / Gaffer 2nd Unit Jack Ryan, Kick Ass, American Assassin “Helios just blows you away. To have the ability to overlay 3D models of people, buildings or vehicles to see just how the light falls on them throughout the day is incredible. I highly recommend Helios." Mairzee Almas Director Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, Jessica Jones, Y: The Last Man, The Sandman,iZombie, Guilt, 12 Monkeys, The Last Ship, Smallville "I use both Artemis and Helios when scouting and find them both invaluable tools for prep."

Screenshots

Timecode4 screens
Helios Sun, Moon, Star Pre4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Timecode at $3.99 against Helios Sun, Moon, Star Pre's $29.99. Timecode also leads on rating (4.6 vs 3.5) and review sentiment (81% vs 56%). Helios Sun, Moon, Star Pre's advantage is update cadence (every 4 weeks vs every 5 months). On ratings volume, 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

Timecode costs $3.99 and Helios Sun, Moon, Star Pre $29.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Timecode holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 23 and 20 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 81% of Timecode's written reviews are positive against 56% of Helios Sun, Moon, Star Pre's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Timecode ships an update every 5 months, Helios Sun, Moon, Star Pre every 4 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 2, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
Timecode versus Helios Sun, Moon, Star Pre: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTimecodeHelios Sun, Moon, Star Pre
Price$3.99 — better$29.99
Rating4.6 (23 ratings) — better3.5 (20 ratings)
Positive reviews80.6% of reviews — better56.0% of reviews
Number of ratings23 — better20
Update frequencyEvery 5 monthsEvery 4 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
Best chart rank#181#121 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size4 MB135 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPanoptikChemical Wedding

Customer experience

Timecode

All ratings23 ratings
Positive87.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative13.0%
Written reviews31 reviews
Positive80.6%
Neutral0.0%
Negative19.4%

Helios Sun, Moon, Star Pre

All ratings20 ratings
Positive65.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative35.0%
Written reviews25 reviews
Positive56.0%
Neutral4.0%
Negative40.0%

In-app purchases

None

Timecode

No in-app purchases

None

Helios Sun, Moon, Star Pre

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Timecode free?
Timecode costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Helios Sun, Moon, Star Pre free?
Helios Sun, Moon, Star Pre costs $29.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Timecode or Helios Sun, Moon, Star Pre?
Timecode is rated higher. Timecode averages 4.6 out of 5 from 23 ratings, while Helios Sun, Moon, Star Pre averages 3.5 from 20 ratings.
Do Timecode or Helios Sun, Moon, Star Pre have ads?
Neither Timecode nor Helios Sun, Moon, Star Pre shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Timecode or Helios Sun, Moon, Star Pre?
Timecode ships an update every 5 months, and Helios Sun, Moon, Star Pre every 4 weeks. Most recently, Timecode was updated on September 2, 2026 and Helios Sun, Moon, Star Pre on September 23, 2026.
Which is more popular, Timecode or Helios Sun, Moon, Star Pre?
Timecode currently peaks at #181 in the App Store charts, and Helios Sun, Moon, Star Pre at #121. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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