Comparison

Phonitor vs Homy

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

Head to head
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

About

Homy

Transform your devices into a reliable security camera system. It detects motion, records clips, and securely stores them in iCloud. Receive instant alerts and manage recordings from any connected device.

Highlights
  • Motion-activated recording
  • Adjustable sensitivity
  • Instant motion alerts
  • Multiple video quality options
  • iCloud storage and sync
  • Face ID/Touch ID lock
  • Battery saver mode
Features
Read full description

Need a security camera you can trust? Homy turns your iPhone, iPad, or Mac into a security camera for rock-solid home security. The motion detector camera records the moment it detects movement and stores each clip safely in iCloud. Key Features: - Motion-activated recording with adjustable sensitivity. - Instant Motion Alerts send notifications to all your connected devices. - Quality you control – 480p, 720p, 1080p or 1080p 60 fps. - iCloud storage & sync for viewing on all connected devices. - Face ID / Touch ID lock for every clip. - Battery saver – auto-adjusts frame-rate and sensors for long sessions. Use cases: - Home security – guard doors, garages, and mailboxes. - Office monitoring – protect shared workspaces after hours. - Pet watcher – see what really happens when you are away. - Package proof – capture every delivery and deter theft. How to use: 1. Choose motion sensitivity and video quality. 2. Place the phone and go. Homy records each event. Review, export, or delete clips from any device that has Homy installed. Subscription & Trial (In-App Purchase): Homy offers two auto-renewing subscriptions. Both plans auto-renew unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Manage or cancel anytime in Settings > Apple ID > Subscriptions. Disclaimer: Homy is not a spy tool. Local laws may require consent for video or audio recording; always follow them. The developer assumes no liability for misuse. Terms of Use – https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy – https://homy.camera/privacy/

Screenshots

Phonitor4 screens
Homy4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Phonitor at every 2 days against Homy's every 2 weeks. Homy's advantage is review sentiment (57% vs 40%). On price, rating, 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. Phonitor sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.49 per 7 days and Homy sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $1.49 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Homy holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 4.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 19 and 52 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 40% of Phonitor's written reviews are positive against 57% of Homy's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Phonitor ships an update every 2 days, Homy every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 8, 2026 and November 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Phonitor versus Homy: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPhonitorHomy
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.2 (19 ratings)4.4 (52 ratings) — better
Positive reviews40.0% of reviews57.1% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1952 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 days — betterEvery 2 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better
Requires iOS15.0 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size32 MB45 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer弛 张Hristo Bogoev

Customer experience

Phonitor

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

Homy

All ratings51 ratings
Positive86.3%
Neutral3.9%
Negative9.8%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive57.1%
Neutral0.0%
Negative42.9%

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Phonitor

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

Homy

Subscriptions3
  • Weekly Subscription7 Days trial$1.497 Days
  • Monthly Subcription$2.991 Month
  • Annual Subscription$14.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime Access$44.99

Questions

Is Phonitor free?
Phonitor is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Homy free?
Homy is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Phonitor or Homy?
Homy is rated higher. Phonitor averages 4.2 out of 5 from 19 ratings, while Homy averages 4.4 from 52 ratings.
Do Phonitor or Homy have ads?
Neither Phonitor nor Homy shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Phonitor or Homy?
Phonitor ships an update every 2 days, and Homy every 2 weeks. Most recently, Phonitor was updated on November 8, 2026 and Homy on November 4, 2026.

Other comparisons