# FLIR Tools vs RICOH THETA

The clearest difference is rating: RICOH THETA at 4.6 against FLIR Tools's 1.8. RICOH THETA also leads on ratings volume (1.9K vs 19) and device support (4 vs 2). On price, review sentiment, update cadence 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.

RICOH THETA holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 1.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: RICOH THETA has 1.9K ratings behind it against 19, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 18% of FLIR Tools's written reviews are positive against 23% of RICOH THETA's.

FLIR Tools ships an update monthly, RICOH THETA every 2 months. Both last shipped on November 6, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | FLIR Tools | RICOH THETA |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [1.8 (19 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/flir-tools/id511247887/reviews) | **[4.6 (1.9K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ricoh-theta/id1023254741/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 19 | **1.9K** |
| Positive reviews | 17.7% of reviews | **23.5% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Monthly** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 192 MB | 33 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [FLIR Systems Aktiebolag](https://appshunter.io/developer/408612990) | [Ricoh Co., Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/369115807) |

## What reviewers say

### FLIR Tools

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/flir-tools/id511247887)

This app allows professional thermographers to view and capture live infrared video and stills from select FLIR cameras on their mobile devices. It enables remote operation of cameras, data analysis, and report generation for thermal imaging inspections.

**Highlights:** Live infrared video streaming, Remote camera operation, Import and analyze thermal images, Measurement tools, Create and email reports, Image information display, Control camera settings

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 📱 Works well with compatible cameras for image transfer
- 🎨 Good editing tools for thermal image analysis
- 📊 Useful for field reporting and client presentations
- 🔧 Spot temperature measurement and annotation features
- ⚡ Quick image review capability in the field

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔌 Persistent connection issues with cameras
- 🐛 Frequent app crashes and freezing
- 📉 Significant loss of features after updates
- 🚫 Limited device compatibility despite marketing
- ⚠️ Poor remote control functionality

**Reported bugs**

- App fails to detect cameras on same network
- Connection timeout errors when attempting to import
- App crashes when creating or exporting reports
- Freezing during image import process
- Device discovery never locates camera

**Requested features**

- Restore remote control capabilities for camera adjustment
- Enable bulk select-all and batch delete/save operations
- Add image editing features (palette, level, span adjustments)
- Restore multiple report templates and layout options
- Support for Bluetooth connectivity on older cameras


### RICOH THETA

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ricoh-theta/id1023254741)

Capture, view, and share immersive 360° photos and videos with a compatible camera. Control your camera remotely, preview shots in live view, and experience your spherical images by spinning, enlarging, or shrinking them. Easily share your creations on social media.

**Highlights:** Remote camera control, Live view preview, 360° image and video viewing, Spherical image sharing, Switch between photo and video modes

**Features:** Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Gold standard in camera companion software
- 👍 Clear layout and professional controls
- 👍 Supports every Ricoh Theta model
- 👍 Frequent updates with no unnecessary features

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Constant error message when trying to link to social media
- 🐛 Crashes on launch, not working with latest iOS
- 🐛 Erratic WiFi connectivity, disconnects frequently
- 🐛 EXIF data lost when saving 360 images

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes on launch after recent updates
- Unable to connect to camera after firmware updates
- Interval shooting not working on iOS
- Incompatible with newer iOS versions

**Requested features**

- Ability to batch select and share images
- Option to store photos within the app without cluttering device gallery
- Offline viewing of 360 photos with 3D effects
- Timer and interval shooting functionality


## Frequently asked questions

### Is FLIR Tools free?

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

### Is RICOH THETA free?

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

### Which has better reviews, FLIR Tools or RICOH THETA?

RICOH THETA is rated higher. FLIR Tools averages 1.8 out of 5 from 19 ratings, while RICOH THETA averages 4.6 from 1.9K ratings.

### Do FLIR Tools or RICOH THETA have ads?

Neither FLIR Tools nor RICOH THETA shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, FLIR Tools or RICOH THETA?

FLIR Tools ships an update monthly, and RICOH THETA every 2 months. Most recently, FLIR Tools was updated on November 6, 2026 and RICOH THETA on November 6, 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.*