# LensLight Visual Effects vs Simply HDR

The clearest difference is rating: Simply HDR at 4.8 against LensLight Visual Effects's 4.4. Simply HDR also leads on ratings volume (1.5K vs 134) and chart position (#91 vs unranked). On review sentiment, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

LensLight Visual Effects costs $4.99 and Simply HDR $2.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Simply HDR holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Simply HDR has 1.5K ratings behind it against 134, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 77% of LensLight Visual Effects's written reviews are positive against 74% of Simply HDR's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 22, 2026 and October 21, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | LensLight Visual Effects | Simply HDR |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $4.99 | **$2.99** |
| Rating | [4.4 (134 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lenslight-visual-effects/id419518259/reviews) | **[4.8 (1.5K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simply-hdr/id438948516/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 134 | **1.5K** |
| Positive reviews | **76.6% of reviews** | 73.7% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | **Free** | Paid |
| Best chart rank | — | **#91** |
| Size | 81 MB | 51 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **14.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [James Grote](https://appshunter.io/developer/338517204) | [JixiPix, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/380605671) |

## What reviewers say

### LensLight Visual Effects

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lenslight-visual-effects/id419518259)

Enhance your photos with a vast array of interactive lighting effects. This app offers dynamic Bokeh, Lens Flares, Light Leaks, Spotlights, and Rainbow Effects, all rendered in real-time with a powerful Optics Engine. Achieve professional-looking results with dynamic light manipulation.

**Highlights:** Interactive lighting effects, Bokeh, Lens Flares, Light Leaks, Spotlights and Rainbow Effects, Real-time Optics Engine rendering, Dynamic light manipulation, Streaks, glares, and edge bloom

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### Simply HDR

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simply-hdr/id438948516)

**Currently charting:** #91 Top Paid · Photo & Video (US App Store)

Transform ordinary photos into vibrant HDR images with exceptional light and detail. This app offers a powerful HDR engine, presets, and adjustable controls to create stunning, artistic, or realistic HDR effects easily.

**Highlights:** Powerful HDR engine, Adjustable controls for HDR, color, vignette, and grain, HDR presets for one-click results, Save custom presets for consistent workflow, Six HDR styles (Realistic, B&W, Contrasted, etc.), Library of artistic color gradients

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use
- 🎨 Great photo effects
- 💫 Produces stunning results
- 🔥 Addictive app
- 🌟 Excellent HDR app

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Crashes/doesn't work
- 🚫 Not true HDR
- 📉 Poor image quality
- 🔍 Limited features
- 🔧 Needs more customization

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes on iOS 15 update
- Buttons/controls not working properly
- Compatibility issues with newer devices
- Slow save times
- Screen controls get corrupted

**Requested features**

- Ability to merge multiple exposures
- More filters and editing options
- Improved performance and stability
- Rotate image before saving
- Higher export resolution


## Frequently asked questions

### Is LensLight Visual Effects free?

LensLight Visual Effects costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Simply HDR free?

Simply HDR costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, LensLight Visual Effects or Simply HDR?

Simply HDR is rated higher. LensLight Visual Effects averages 4.4 out of 5 from 134 ratings, while Simply HDR averages 4.8 from 1.5K ratings.

### Do LensLight Visual Effects or Simply HDR have ads?

Neither LensLight Visual Effects nor Simply HDR shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, LensLight Visual Effects or Simply HDR?

LensLight Visual Effects ships an update every 2 months, and Simply HDR every 2 months. Most recently, LensLight Visual Effects was updated on October 22, 2026 and Simply HDR on October 21, 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.*