Shutter vs Timegrapher
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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.
Timegrapher
This application uses your device's microphone to measure the accuracy of mechanical watches. It detects ticking sounds to analyze beat rate, beat error, and amplitude, displaying results in real-time and over time.
- Detect BPH
- Measure Beat rate
- Measure Beat error
- Measure Amplitude
- Set Lift angle
- Real-time sound display
- Accuracy over time display
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What is Timegrapher? Timegrapher measures the accuracy of your mechanical watch. The app uses your device's microphone to detect the ticking of your watch. Features: Detect BPH Measure Beat rate Measure Beat error Measure Amplitude Set Lift angle Display beat noises real time (unlock, impulse and lock sounds) Display accuracy and beat error over time More features will be coming soon.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Shutter at 3.5 against Timegrapher's 2.8. Shutter also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1) and update cadence (monthly vs every 8 months). 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
Both are free to download. Timegrapher sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Shutter asks for nothing beyond the download.
Shutter holds the better App Store score, 3.5 against 2.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 22 and 46 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 58% of Shutter's written reviews are positive against 55% of Timegrapher's.
Shutter ships an update monthly, Timegrapher every 8 months. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and October 21, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Shutter | Timegrapher |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.5 (22 ratings) — better | 2.8 (46 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 58.0% of reviews — better | 55.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 22 | 46 — better |
| Update frequency | Monthly — better | Every 8 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 6 MB | 9 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Filmomat GmbH | Attila Lelko |
Customer experience
Shutter
Timegrapher
Bugs and requests
Shutter
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
Timegrapher
Reported bugs
9 issues- Does not detect ticking
- Does not work at all
- Requires payment to function
- Inaccurate readings
- Unskippable pop-ups
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- App magnetizes watch
- Does not work after paying for premium
- Amplitude reported as 360
- Inconsistent measurements
Requested features
5 requests- Add dark mode
- Keep screen on during use
- Ability to save data per watch
- Improve visual design
- Lower price for Pro version
In-app purchases
Shutter
No in-app purchases
Timegrapher
- Unlock full$5.99
Questions
Is Shutter free?
Is Timegrapher free?
Which has better reviews, Shutter or Timegrapher?
Do Shutter or Timegrapher have ads?
Which is updated more often, Shutter or Timegrapher?
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