Comparison

MacroShader vs starlogger

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
Read full description

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

starlogger

Features
Read full description

Starlogger is the session tracker built for astrophotographers. Log every night under the stars — date, site, targets imaged, and exposures per target — paired with the exact camera, mount, optics, and filter wheel you used. Save your imaging sites with GPS coordinates and let Starlogger notify you automatically, even in the background, when you arrive at one. Build reusable equipment kits so you're not re-entering the same rig every session, and browse a growing target catalog as you log. Every session keeps a permanent snapshot of the gear and site you used at the time, so updating your equipment library later never rewrites your history. No sign-in, no cloud account — your data lives on your device and backs up automatically through iCloud Backup. - Session logging with date, site, targets, and per-target exposure details - GPS-based Sites with automatic geofenced arrival notifications - Reusable equipment library: cameras, filter wheels, OTAs/lenses, mounts, and kits - Built-in target catalog - Permanent equipment/site snapshots — past sessions never change when your gear list does - No account required; data backs up automatically via iCloud / Auto Backup for Apps - Miles or kilometers, your choice

Screenshots

MacroShader4 screens
starlogger4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: starlogger at monthly against MacroShader's every 4 months. starlogger also leads on iOS requirement (16.4 vs 18.0). On price, 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

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

MacroShader ships an update every 4 months, starlogger monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and September 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
MacroShader versus starlogger: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMacroShaderstarlogger
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS18.016.4 — better
Further details — not scored
Size2 MB41 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAstroShader LimitedDavid Campbell

In-app purchases

None

MacroShader

No in-app purchases

None

starlogger

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is MacroShader free?
MacroShader is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is starlogger free?
starlogger is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do MacroShader or starlogger have ads?
Neither MacroShader nor starlogger shows ads.
Which is updated more often, MacroShader or starlogger?
MacroShader ships an update every 4 months, and starlogger monthly. Most recently, MacroShader was updated on October 1, 2026 and starlogger on September 30, 2026.

Other comparisons