Comparison

LiGHTBOX vs Hidden Layer

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

Head to head
About

LiGHTBOX

Enhance your photos with HDR-powered effects and filters. This app offers tools to create stunning HDR images, add dramatic eye highlights, and apply unique text effects. All editing is performed locally on your device for maximum privacy.

Highlights
  • HDR photo enhancement
  • Cinematic eye glare effects
  • Overwhite text effects
  • On-device processing for privacy
  • Flexible unlock options
  • Regularly updated filters
Features
Read full description

Turn up the brilliance with HDR-powered photo editing, made for iOS. All processing is done on your device, keeping your photos private. - HDRify: Instantly transform ordinary images into stunning HDR masterpieces, fully optimised for HDR displays. - Eyes Glare: Add cinematic drama to portraits with ultra-bright eye highlights. - Overwhite Text: Text so white, it’s brighter than the pure white background. - Privacy First: Everything stays on your device — nothing is uploaded or stored. - Flexible Unlock: Try for free, buy what you need, or unlock everything forever. - Constantly Evolving: New filters and features added regularly. Always something fresh to explore.

About

Hidden Layer

Features
Read full description

The photos we take often hide a dozen or so layers! Let's go see what's inside. This app lets you view every layer in a photo, and it also has a few useful or fun photo tools! View Layers Pick a photo and you'll see all kinds of layers inside it — maybe a depth map, a glasses mask, and more. Every layer comes with a detailed explanation. You'll discover a lot! For example, I found out that with ProRAW, what I usually see in my photo library is just the JPG preview layer inside… Of course, you can export layers too. For example, export the Low-Processing Rendering of a ProRAW main photo — a special rendering you've probably never seen. It's closer to the raw data and great for editing! You can also export the depth map and use it in Photoshop for more accurate background blur. Photo Tools Oh, and using these hidden layers, we can also process photos. For example, add a depth map to a regular photo and it becomes a Portrait mode photo, so you can refocus and add background blur right in the Photos app! There's also Remove Sharpening and Natural Key Photo — really useful if you prefer less sharpening, or want your Live Photo key photo to keep its colors. This is just the beginning. If you have a good idea, let me know!

Screenshots

LiGHTBOX4 screens
Hidden Layer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: LiGHTBOX at Free against Hidden Layer's $0.99. Hidden Layer's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2). On ads, device support and iOS requirement 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

LiGHTBOX is free to download; Hidden Layer costs $0.99 up front. LiGHTBOX sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Hidden Layer asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
LiGHTBOX versus Hidden Layer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLiGHTBOXHidden Layer
PriceFree — better$0.99
Rating4.5 (2 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings2 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 4 days—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS18.217.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size8 MB34 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer晓江 苏北北 宋

In-app purchases

2 purchases

LiGHTBOX

One-time2
  • 50 LED Bulbs$0.99
  • Solar Lifetime$1.99
None

Hidden Layer

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is LiGHTBOX free?
LiGHTBOX is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Hidden Layer free?
Hidden Layer costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do LiGHTBOX or Hidden Layer have ads?
Neither LiGHTBOX nor Hidden Layer shows ads.

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