Comparison

Lightning Camera vs Lightning Vault

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

Head to head
About

Lightning Camera

This app automatically captures photos of lightning strikes as they happen. Simply open the application and let it detect and photograph lightning for you. It's designed for easy use by anyone interested in weather phenomena.

Highlights
  • Auto lightning detection
  • Automatic photo capture
  • Easy to use interface
  • No photography skills required
  • Weather fan tool
Features
Read full description

ThunderCatch detects lightning and automatically takes photos when it strikes. Whether you're a weather fan or just want to capture lightning, open the app and let ThunderCatch do the rest. - Auto Lightning Detection: The app snaps a photo as soon as lightning is detected. - Easy to Use: Just tap to start, and ThunderCatch handles everything. - Simple Interface for Everyone: No photography skills needed, anyone can use it. Terms of use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Lightning Vault

Features
Read full description

Lightning Vault is a professional camera tool designed to capture lightning with precision and reliability. How it works: The camera continuously analyzes real-time brightness changes When a lightning flash is detected, the app instantly captures: •25 frames before the flash •10 frames after the flash Review the full burst and save the best frame to your Photos library All processing happens entirely on-device, in real timeLightning strikes are instantaneous and impossible to predict. Lightning Vault continuously buffers frames and automatically preserves the moments before and after a lightning flash - ensuring you never miss the decisive shot. Key features: •Intelligent real-time lightning detection •Pre- and post-flash frame buffering •High-performance capture at 1080p, 60 fps •Optimized for extreme brightness transitions Designed for real storm conditions Lightning Vault is built for photographers, storm chasers, and serious enthusiasts who demand speed, accuracy, and control. The app prioritizes lightning visibility over general scene brightness to ensure reliable detection and clean captures during storms. Best results are achieved during dusk, nighttime, and active storm conditions. No subscriptions, no ads, no accounts.

Screenshots

Lightning Camera4 screens
Lightning Vault3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Lightning Camera at Free against Lightning Vault's $14.99. Lightning Camera also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 3 months) and iOS requirement (15.6 vs 18.6). Lightning Vault's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 5). On ads and device support 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

Lightning Camera is free to download; Lightning Vault costs $14.99 up front. Lightning Camera sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Lightning Vault asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Lightning Camera ships an update every 2 weeks, Lightning Vault every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 28, 2026 and September 19, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Lightning Camera versus Lightning Vault: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLightning CameraLightning Vault
PriceFree — better$14.99
Rating4.3 (38 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings38 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.6 — better18.6
Further details — not scored
Size30 MB13 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSezer IltekinKirill Khanzhinov

In-app purchases

5 purchases

Lightning Camera

Subscriptions3
  • ThunderCatch PRO Weekly$4.997 Days
  • ThunderCatch PRO Annual$12.991 Year
  • ThunderCatch PRO Yearly$12.991 Year
One-time2
  • ThunderCatch PRO Lifetime DC$19.99
  • ThunderCatch Pro Lifetime$49.99
None

Lightning Vault

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Lightning Camera free?
Lightning Camera is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Lightning Vault free?
Lightning Vault costs $14.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do Lightning Camera or Lightning Vault have ads?
Neither Lightning Camera nor Lightning Vault shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Lightning Camera or Lightning Vault?
Lightning Camera ships an update every 2 weeks, and Lightning Vault every 3 months. Most recently, Lightning Camera was updated on September 28, 2026 and Lightning Vault on September 19, 2026.

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