LiGHTBOX vs Hidden Layer
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- HDR photo enhancement
- Cinematic eye glare effects
- Overwhite text effects
- On-device processing for privacy
- Flexible unlock options
- Regularly updated filters
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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.
Hidden Layer
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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
Verdict
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
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.
| Parameter | LiGHTBOX | Hidden Layer |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $0.99 |
| Rating | 4.5 (2 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 2 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 4 days | — |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 18.2 | 17.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 8 MB | 34 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | 晓江 苏 | 北北 宋 |
In-app purchases
LiGHTBOX
- 50 LED Bulbs$0.99
- Solar Lifetime$1.99
Hidden Layer
No in-app purchases









