Comparison

Shutter vs LiDAR Pointer

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

Head to head
About

Shutter

Test the shutter speeds of your analog cameras using your iPhone. For precise measurements, use with the PhotoPlug accessory. Without it, the app analyzes shutter sound for speeds below 1/30sec.

Highlights
  • Test analog camera shutter speeds
  • Use with PhotoPlug accessory for light measurement
  • Analyze shutter sound for speeds below 1/30sec
  • Store measurement values in a table
  • Manage multiple cameras and lenses
  • Calculate correction factors for faulty shutters
Features
Read full description

With Shutter-Speed you can test the shutter speeds of your analog cameras just with your iPhone. Please note that the full potential of this App is only reached if you use it in combination with the PhotoPlug. The PhotoPlug is an optical sensor which connects to the headphone-jack of your iPhone and enables you to measure the actual amount of light passing through the camera shutter. Please visit www.filmomat.eu for detailed information and for ordering the PhotoPlug. How-To: Point the camera towards a bright light source. Place the PhotoPlug closely behind the camera shutter. Start the measurement and release the shutter. The App automatically analyzes the signal and calculates the shutter speed. All measurement values can be stored into a handy table. Multiple different cameras/lenses can be stored. A correction factor is calculated, which you can use to compensate a faulty shutter speed. For example, if you measure the 1/60s and it turns out to be 1/50s, the App will tell you that the shutter-speed is 1/3 stops too long. This gives rise to a correction factor of -1, indicating that you have to close your aperture by 1/3 f-stop to get a correct exposure. Without PhotoPlug, the App will record the sound of the camera shutter and calculate the shutter speed from that. Please note that this procedure will only give useable results for speeds below 1/30sec. With the PhotoPlug, shutter speeds up to 1/500sec can be measured.

About

LiDAR Pointer

Measure distances and angles using your device's LiDAR sensor. Get audio readouts of measurements and use the flashlight for better accuracy in low light. Requires a LiDAR-equipped device.

Highlights
  • Measure distance to surfaces
  • Indicate device inclination angle
  • Oral distance measurement via speech
  • Flashlight for extra light
  • Supports iPhone and iPad
Features
Read full description

LiDAR Pointer can perform the following functions: - Measuring distance between your device and a surface; - Indicating the angle of inclination of your device; - Obtaining oral distance measurement through speech synthesis technology; - Turning on the flashlight of your device to get extra light when you need it. WARNING: - This application requires a device equipped with a LiDAR; - This application measures a distance between 1 cm and 5 meters maximum (only if a surface is detected by the LiDAR).

Screenshots

Shutter4 screens
LiDAR Pointer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Shutter at none against LiDAR Pointer's 2. Shutter also leads on update cadence (monthly vs every 23 months) and rating (3.5 vs 3.3). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume and ads 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. LiDAR Pointer sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Shutter asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Shutter holds the better App Store score, 3.5 against 3.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 22 and 8 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 58% of Shutter's written reviews are positive against 60% of LiDAR Pointer's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Shutter ships an update monthly, LiDAR Pointer every 23 months. The most recent releases landed on September 20, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Shutter versus LiDAR Pointer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterShutterLiDAR Pointer
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.5 (22 ratings) — better3.3 (8 ratings)
Positive reviews58.0% of reviews60.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings22 — better8
Update frequencyMonthly — betterEvery 23 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size6 MB3 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperFilmomat GmbHGoldgewicht Consulting

Customer experience

Shutter

All ratings22 ratings
Positive59.1%
Neutral9.1%
Negative31.8%
Written reviews69 reviews
Positive58.0%
Neutral5.8%
Negative36.2%

LiDAR Pointer

All ratings8 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive60.0%
Neutral20.0%
Negative20.0%

In-app purchases

None

Shutter

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

LiDAR Pointer

Subscriptions2
  • Premium Monthly$1.991 Month
  • Premium Annual$12.991 Year

Questions

Is Shutter free?
Shutter is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is LiDAR Pointer free?
LiDAR Pointer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Shutter or LiDAR Pointer?
Shutter is rated higher. Shutter averages 3.5 out of 5 from 22 ratings, while LiDAR Pointer averages 3.3 from 8 ratings.
Do Shutter or LiDAR Pointer have ads?
Neither Shutter nor LiDAR Pointer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Shutter or LiDAR Pointer?
Shutter ships an update monthly, and LiDAR Pointer every 23 months. Most recently, Shutter was updated on September 20, 2026 and LiDAR Pointer on September 21, 2026.

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