Comparison

Shutter vs Timegrapher

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

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.

Highlights
  • Detect BPH
  • Measure Beat rate
  • Measure Beat error
  • Measure Amplitude
  • Set Lift angle
  • Real-time sound display
  • Accuracy over time display
Features
Read full description

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

Shutter4 screens
Timegrapher3 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Timegrapher sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Shutter asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Shutter ships an update monthly, Timegrapher every 8 months. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and October 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Shutter versus Timegrapher: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterShutterTimegrapher
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.5 (22 ratings) — better2.8 (46 ratings)
Positive reviews58.0% of reviews — better55.0% of reviews
Number of ratings2246 — better
Update frequencyMonthly — betterEvery 8 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size6 MB9 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperFilmomat GmbHAttila Lelko

Customer experience

Shutter

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

Timegrapher

All ratings44 ratings
Positive40.9%
Neutral6.8%
Negative52.3%
Written reviews60 reviews
Positive55.0%
Neutral3.3%
Negative41.7%

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
Show 4 more
  • 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

None

Shutter

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Timegrapher

One-time1
  • Unlock full$5.99

Questions

Is Shutter free?
Shutter is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Timegrapher free?
Timegrapher is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Shutter or Timegrapher?
Shutter is rated higher. Shutter averages 3.5 out of 5 from 22 ratings, while Timegrapher averages 2.8 from 46 ratings.
Do Shutter or Timegrapher have ads?
Neither Shutter nor Timegrapher shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Shutter or Timegrapher?
Shutter ships an update monthly, and Timegrapher every 8 months. Most recently, Shutter was updated on October 16, 2026 and Timegrapher on October 21, 2026.

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