Comparison

MacroShader 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

MacroShader

Capture stunning close-up images with advanced manual camera controls and specialized processing. Features include focus peaking, RAW saving, and a unique focus shutter for precise macro shots.

Highlights
  • Focus shutter
  • Focus peaking
  • Manual camera controls
  • Save in RAW
  • Customized image processing
Features
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A macro photography app for iPhone. Features include: - Focus shutter: Tap, hold, focus and release to shoot a photo. Also just tap to shoot - Focus peaking - Manual camera controls - Save in RAW - Customised image processing for macro photography to preserve details Future releases will add more camera controls, editing tools and more

About

Lightning Vault

Features
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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

MacroShader4 screens
Lightning Vault3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: MacroShader at Free against Lightning Vault's $14.99. On update cadence, ads, in-app purchases 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

MacroShader is free to download; Lightning Vault costs $14.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

MacroShader ships an update every 4 months, Lightning Vault every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
MacroShader versus Lightning Vault: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMacroShaderLightning Vault
PriceFree — better$14.99
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 3 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS18.0 — better18.6
Further details — not scored
Size2 MB13 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAstroShader LimitedKirill Khanzhinov

In-app purchases

None

MacroShader

No in-app purchases

None

Lightning Vault

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is MacroShader free?
MacroShader is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Lightning Vault free?
Lightning Vault costs $14.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do MacroShader or Lightning Vault have ads?
Neither MacroShader nor Lightning Vault shows ads.
Which is updated more often, MacroShader or Lightning Vault?
MacroShader ships an update every 4 months, and Lightning Vault every 3 months. Most recently, MacroShader was updated on October 1, 2026 and Lightning Vault on October 7, 2026.

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