Comparison

CameraFTP Viewer vs Phonitor

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

Head to head
About

CameraFTP Viewer

Access and playback live or recorded footage from your cloud-based surveillance cameras. View your own cameras or those shared by others. Offers 2-way audio and video calling with compatible apps.

Highlights
  • View live camera feeds
  • Playback recorded footage
  • Access shared/public cameras
  • 2-way video and audio calling
  • Use webcam/smartphone as IP camera
  • Secure cloud storage
Features
Read full description

This is the viewer app for CameraFTP cloud surveillance and recording service. You can view / play back cameras in your account, or view shared / public cameras. CameraFTP.com offers a revolutionary security and monitoring service for home and business. It is compatible with most IP cameras/NVRs. You can save camera/NVR cost by using CameraFTP Mobile Security Camera app or CameraFTP VSS software. With CameraFTP camera apps, the live view and 2-way video calling features are free. It is better than IP camera or Baby Monitor. CameraFTP also offers free trial and very limited cloud recording service for free. You can optionally order a low-cost cloud recording service starting at only $1.50-$2.50/camera/month. CameraFTP has far better features than regular security services. It is very easy to setup. You can use webcam or smartphone as IP camera, saving the cost of buying an IP camera. Your footage is uploaded to CameraFTP's secure data center. It is more secure than a regular IP camera or CCTV DVR system that records data locally and can be destroyed by an intruder. With CameraFTP Viewer, you can easily monitor or play back the recorded footage from anywhere. You can also share or publish your cameras for other people to watch. If you use CameraFTP VSS software or Mobile Security Camera app, then this viewer app can support 2-way video & audio viewing and calling! CameraFTP is a service offered by DriveHQ. Based in Silicon Valley, DriveHQ has been in the cloud service business since 2003 with over 3 million registered users. CameraFTP's optional cloud recording service starts at only $1.50-$2.50/camera/month with no contract required and no hidden fees. Why not try our service today?

About

Phonitor

Transform old iPhones, iPads, or Macs into a secure, ad-free security camera. Monitor your home, pets, or baby with live streaming and instant playback. Enjoy two-way audio and high-quality video, with optional premium features for unlimited access.

Highlights
  • Repurpose old Apple devices as cameras
  • Secure iCloud data sync
  • Private P2P video streaming
  • Two-way audio communication
  • Instant playback of recordings
  • High-quality video up to 2K 60fps
  • Battery saver mode
Features
Read full description

Ever thought your old iPhone or iPad could do more? Phonitor turns your unused devices into a smart monitoring camera — no extra hardware, no extra cost. And now it listens, too: when the camera hears a baby crying, a dog barking or a smoke alarm, you'll know right away. Invite your family to set up and watch cameras together. Simply use your spare iPhone, iPad, or Mac as the camera, and view the live or playback on your everyday device. Place it wherever you need — a shelf, windowsill, the nursery, even outside for an afternoon. No mounts, no drilling: run on the built-in battery for short stints, or plug in for the long haul. Easily keep an eye on your home, yard, office, or stay connected with your baby, pets, and loved ones. An iPhone or iPad used as the camera needs iOS 15 or later. Built with privacy at its core, Phonitor is completely ad-free. It’s made just for Apple devices. Here are the key benefits: SOUND ALERTS: Get a notification the moment the camera hears a baby crying, a dog barking, a smoke alarm, glass breaking and more — even when Phonitor isn't open. Eight kinds of sounds, chosen per camera. Sound recognition runs on the camera itself; no audio is uploaded. (Pro) TAP TO REPLAY: Tap an alert to open that camera and go straight back to the moment it happened. FAMILY GROUP: Invite your family to set up and watch cameras together, up to 6 people. One subscription, and your family pays nothing. Each camera has its own switch. (Pro) REAL-TIME MONITORING: Watch your camera’s live stream anytime, anywhere, on any of your Apple devices. INSTANT PLAYBACK: A new timeline with a clear time ruler and event markers at a glance. Pick a date to find any recording stored on your camera device. EXPORT CLIPS: Trim and save the moments that matter, on the camera or from another device, and share them anywhere. (Pro) TWO-WAY AUDIO: Hear what’s happening and talk as if you’re there. (Pro) NIGHT VISION: Cleaner, steadier video in low light, even under dim bulbs. CRISP VIDEO: Up to 2K at 60fps. Choose the quality that suits your scene. VERY LITTLE DELAY: What happens at home reaches your screen with very little delay. ULTRA-WIDE CAMERA: Capture a broader view with the ultra-wide lens on compatible devices. BUILT FOR LONG STRETCHES: Smart battery use and reduced heat on the camera device. If the phone gets too hot, sound alerts and the torch pause while recording carries on. BACKGROUND PLAY: Continue monitoring while using other apps, or even with the screen locked. (Pro) PRIVATE: Recordings are saved on your camera device. Only your own devices, and family members you share a camera with, can watch. Sound recognition runs on the camera itself; no audio is uploaded. NO NEW ACCOUNT: Your Apple Account is all you need. Cameras you set up show up on your other devices through iCloud. Upgrade to Phonitor Pro for unlimited monitoring, Sound Alerts, Family Group and more exclusive features, with a 7-day free trial. Reusing old devices isn’t just about saving money — it’s a more sustainable, mindful lifestyle. Repurpose your old hardware in a simple, secure, and practical way, rather than letting it gather dust when it’s still fully capable. Terms of Use: https://phonitor.app/terms Privacy Policy: https://phonitor.app/privacy

Screenshots

CameraFTP Viewer4 screens
Phonitor4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Phonitor at every 2 days against CameraFTP Viewer's monthly. Phonitor also leads on rating (4.2 vs 3.9). CameraFTP Viewer's advantage is iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). 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. CameraFTP Viewer sells 9 one-off in-app purchases and Phonitor sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.49 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Phonitor holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 3.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 17 and 19 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 48% of CameraFTP Viewer's written reviews are positive against 40% of Phonitor's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

CameraFTP Viewer ships an update monthly, Phonitor every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
CameraFTP Viewer versus Phonitor: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCameraFTP ViewerPhonitor
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.9 (17 ratings)4.2 (19 ratings) — better
Positive reviews47.6% of reviews — better40.0% of reviews
Number of ratings1719 — better
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 2 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size26 MB32 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDrive Headquarters, Inc.弛 张

Customer experience

CameraFTP Viewer

All ratings15 ratings
Positive73.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative26.7%
Written reviews21 reviews
Positive47.6%
Neutral0.0%
Negative52.4%

Phonitor

All ratings19 ratings
Positive78.9%
Neutral0.0%
Negative21.1%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive40.0%
Neutral20.0%
Negative40.0%

In-app purchases

9 purchases

CameraFTP Viewer

One-time9
  • monthly entry-level image camera license$1.99
  • monthly image camera license$1.99
  • monthly entry-level video camera license2 variants$2.99
Show 6 more
  • monthly video camera license$2.99
  • yearly entry-level image camera license$9.99
  • yearly image camera license$9.99
  • yearly entry-level video camera license$14.99
  • yearly video camera license$14.99
  • yearly entry-level video camera license$19.99
3 purchases

Phonitor

Subscriptions3
  • Pro7 Days trial$2.497 Days
  • Pro7 Days trial$4.991 Month
  • Pro7 Days trial$35.991 Year

Questions

Is CameraFTP Viewer free?
CameraFTP Viewer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Phonitor free?
Phonitor is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, CameraFTP Viewer or Phonitor?
Phonitor is rated higher. CameraFTP Viewer averages 3.9 out of 5 from 17 ratings, while Phonitor averages 4.2 from 19 ratings.
Do CameraFTP Viewer or Phonitor have ads?
Neither CameraFTP Viewer nor Phonitor shows ads.
Which is updated more often, CameraFTP Viewer or Phonitor?
CameraFTP Viewer ships an update monthly, and Phonitor every 2 days. Most recently, CameraFTP Viewer was updated on November 1, 2026 and Phonitor on November 8, 2026.

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