Comparison

FLIR Tools vs IR explorer

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

Head to head
About

FLIR Tools

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
Read full description

FLIR Tools Mobile - an intuitive app for FLIR cameras. FLIR Tools Mobile lets professional thermographers use an iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch to see and capture live, streaming infrared video and stills from select FLIR cameras. With FLIR Tools Mobile the camera can be stationed in one area and operated wirelessly from another – highly useful for IR inspections of energized equipment or performing IR surveys in hard-to-reach locations and harsh working environments. Streaming video and remote access also gives decision makers and others on your team a valuable opportunity to observe and collaborate in the thermal imaging process Using FLIR Tools Mobile, you can do one or more of the following: • Import images from your infrared camera • Lay out and move measurement tools on the image • Read out temperature measurements • Zoom in on images • On the iPhone/iPad, remotely take snapshots when a camera is connected • On the camera, take snapshots that will automatically be saved in the iPhone/iPad • Delete any images on the iPhone/iPad • Display an image’s GPS coordinates on maps • Create and e-mail imagesheets • Create and e-mail reports • Print imagesheets and reports to any AirPrint-enabled printer • Save images to iPhone/iPad photo library • Display image information, such as object parameters, text comments, file information, etc. • Play-back voice comments • Change level and span • Change general settings in the app • Change palette FLIR Tools Mobile lets you take control of the following features on selected cameras: • Auto and manual focus • Level and span • Color palettes • Temperature measurement analytics • Spot • Area box • Circle • Line • Parameter settings • Emissivity • Reflected temperature • Relative humidity • Atmospheric temperature • IR and visible light image blending • Picture-in-picture • Thermal fusion • Image storage • MPEG 4 video • Radiometric JPEG stills

About

IR explorer

This app transforms your smartphone into an infrared camera, allowing you to see objects emitting heat in dark environments. It offers clear imaging, various filter effects, and real-time temperature detection for outdoor enthusiasts and professionals.

Highlights
  • Infrared camera functionality
  • Clear night vision imaging
  • Temperature detection
  • Multiple filter effects
  • Hot spot tracking
  • Laser pointing function
Features
Read full description

Why choose us? The infrared camera mainly realizes day and night conversion through infrared filters. We use advanced technology and materials to make excellent optical components. The algorithm of infiraySearch APP can clearly see objects with radiating infrared rays in a dark environment, and the picture quality is clear and sharp. , which can meet the needs of most outdoor enthusiasts. At the same time, we provide a variety of filter effects, the color effect of the picture is more abundant. Not only that, but also through the temperature detection function of the infiraySearch APP, the temperature changes of the surrounding environment can be captured in real time, which makes the Sky Eye T2-Search more playable. What are our advantages?  1. Plug and play, easy to use Tianyan T2-Search can be connected to a smartphone, weighs less than 20 grams, and is easy to carry and use.  2. Ultra-low power consumption Ultra-low power consumption, no battery design, long-term standby when used with smart phones. 3. High pixel, high frame rate, clear and smooth imaging Ultra-long detection range: using high-definition lens, human body can be recognized even at a distance of 150 meters; the frame rate is up to 25Hz, the image quality is smooth and will not freeze; multiple filters are provided Effect, red hair mode for quick target identification.  4. Professional patented algorithm Professional night vision image algorithm: high light heat source, easy to identify the target; hot spot tracking: using mesh, so that the target has nowhere to hide.  5. Laser Grip Smartphone with T2-Search and ergonomically designed grip with laser pointing function can quickly and accurately determine the target position.

Screenshots

FLIR Tools4 screens
IR explorer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: IR explorer at 3.1 against FLIR Tools's 1.8. IR explorer also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs monthly) and review sentiment (27% vs 18%). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases 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

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

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

IR explorer holds the better App Store score, 3.1 against 1.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 19 and 38 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 18% of FLIR Tools's written reviews are positive against 27% of IR explorer's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

FLIR Tools ships an update monthly, IR explorer fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
FLIR Tools versus IR explorer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFLIR ToolsIR explorer
PriceFreeFree
Rating1.8 (19 ratings)3.1 (38 ratings) — better
Positive reviews17.7% of reviews27.4% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1938 — better
Update frequencyMonthlyFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS18.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size192 MB75 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperFLIR Systems AktiebolagInfiRay Technologies Co.,Ltd.

Customer experience

FLIR Tools

All ratings19 ratings
Positive10.5%
Neutral10.5%
Negative78.9%
Written reviews164 reviews
Positive17.7%
Neutral9.8%
Negative72.6%

IR explorer

All ratings38 ratings
Positive52.6%
Neutral2.6%
Negative44.7%
Written reviews84 reviews
Positive27.4%
Neutral11.9%
Negative60.7%

Bugs and requests

FLIR Tools

Reported bugs

21 issues
  • 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
Show 16 more
  • Select-all function selects but provides no action options
  • App becomes unresponsive after connecting to camera
  • Images import multiple times from single transfer
  • Temperature readings display incorrectly (Celsius vs Fahrenheit mismatch)
  • App crashes on iOS 15 and newer versions
  • Bluetooth import creates duplicate files
  • Streaming feature non-functional
  • Images lose thermal data when imported from Photos app
  • Cannot open files from Files or Photos app
  • Screen jumps while typing report details
  • Imported images not sorted or grouped properly
  • Thermal image and visible image different sizes after toggle
  • Connection error with IP address entry
  • App unresponsive with ad-hoc WiFi connections
  • PDF generation crashes application
  • Camera display shows basic thermal image with no controls after upload

Requested features

17 requests
  • 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
Show 12 more
  • Video streaming functionality
  • Cloud integration with FLIR Ignite
  • Ability to edit reports after publishing
  • Remove or disable watermark option
  • Volume button support for remote image capture
  • Direct email/export functionality from app
  • Support for more camera models (C3-X, E6-XT, TG267, etc.)
  • Swipe and long-press multi-select for images
  • Auto-pairing with discovered devices
  • Better image organization and sorting
  • Emissivity editing capability
  • Notes/annotations for video files

IR explorer

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

FLIR Tools

No in-app purchases

None

IR explorer

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is FLIR Tools free?
FLIR Tools is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is IR explorer free?
IR explorer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, FLIR Tools or IR explorer?
IR explorer is rated higher. FLIR Tools averages 1.8 out of 5 from 19 ratings, while IR explorer averages 3.1 from 38 ratings.
Do FLIR Tools or IR explorer have ads?
Neither FLIR Tools nor IR explorer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, FLIR Tools or IR explorer?
FLIR Tools ships an update monthly, and IR explorer fortnightly. Most recently, FLIR Tools was updated on October 14, 2026 and IR explorer on October 5, 2026.

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