Comparison

Retro Cam vs Phocal

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

Head to head
About

Retro Cam

Instantly apply realistic film photography effects with a single click. This app focuses on capturing moments without the need for extensive post-editing, making photography accessible to casual users.

Highlights
  • Realistic instant film photography
  • Single-click effect application
  • No post-editing required
  • New camera releases
  • Pro subscription for full access
Features
Read full description

Retro Cam, your pocket photographer. No need for post-editing, the most realistic film photography is instantly presented with a single click. Retro Cam was designed to help casual photographers to focus on taking pictures, instead of all the post-production retouches. The Retro Cam will launch new cameras from time to time, let’s look forward to it. Retro Cam Pro Subscription - Join Retro Cam Pro to access all cameras and accessories. - Payment will be charged to your iTunes account at confirmation of purchase. - Subscriptions will automatically renew unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. - Your account will be charged for renewal, in accordance with your plan, within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. - You can manage or turn off auto-renew in your Apple ID account settings any time after purchase. Terms of Use: http://yueh.app168.cc/panda/help/user_agreement_en.html Privacy policy: http://yueh.app168.cc/panda/help/privacy_agreement_en.html

About

Phocal

Personalize your device's home screen by displaying your favorite photos and stickers. Create custom photo walls with various templates, stickers, and outline options. Organize your creations with smart folders and choose widget sizes to fit your style.

Highlights
  • Display favorite photos on home screen
  • Customize photos and stickers
  • DIY photo wall creation
  • Adjustable widget sizes
  • Smart folder organization
  • Multiple border templates
  • Various sticker outline options
Features
Read full description

1.Don't let your photos just sit in the album - bring your favorites to the home screen. 2.Customize photos and stickers - decorate your screen with personality. 3.DIY photo wall - create your own personalized home screen. 4.Choose from large, medium, or small widgets - size is up to you. 5.Organize your photos and stickers with smart folders. 6.Multiple border templates - add style and texture to your photos. 7.Various sticker outline options - control every detail of the outline. 8.Massive library of materials - mix and match effortlessly. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://mtkangkang.github.io/phocal-privacy-policy/

Screenshots

Retro Cam4 screens
Phocal4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Phocal at weekly against Retro Cam's every 3 weeks. Retro Cam's advantage is ratings volume (10 vs 2) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 17.0). On price, rating, 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. Retro Cam sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per year and Phocal sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.00 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for Retro Cam against 5.0 for Phocal. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Retro Cam has 10 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Retro Cam ships an update every 3 weeks, Phocal weekly. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Retro Cam versus Phocal: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRetro CamPhocal
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (10 ratings)5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews88.9% of reviews—
Number of ratings10 — better2
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS11.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size114 MB104 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer月红 韩兆康 张

Customer experience

Retro Cam

All ratings10 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews18 reviews
Positive88.9%
Neutral0.0%
Negative11.1%

Phocal

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Retro Cam

Subscriptions1
  • MINI CAM PRO (1 Year)3 Days trial$1.991 Year
One-time1
  • MINI CAM PRO$3.99
3 purchases

Phocal

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Membership$2.001 Month
  • Yearly Membership$8.001 Year
One-time1
  • 终身会员(永久)$12.00

Questions

Is Retro Cam free?
Retro Cam is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Phocal free?
Phocal is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Retro Cam or Phocal?
Phocal is rated higher. Retro Cam averages 4.9 out of 5 from 10 ratings, while Phocal averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.
Do Retro Cam or Phocal have ads?
Neither Retro Cam nor Phocal shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Retro Cam or Phocal?
Retro Cam ships an update every 3 weeks, and Phocal weekly. Most recently, Retro Cam was updated on October 24, 2026 and Phocal on October 24, 2026.

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