Gems vs ROLL
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side β with what reviewers say about each.
Gems
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Gems turns fleeting moments into lasting memories by transforming any gathering into a shared photography experience. Perfect for corporate events, weddings, parties, gatherings, and unforgettable evenings. Like a digital disposable camera - guests capture the moment as it happens. You choose how many photos each person can take, and the full gallery is revealed when the time is right. ----- NO DOWNLOAD FOR GUESTS Guests can join instantly by scanning a QR code or tapping a link. No app install. CAPTURE THE NOW The camera feels raw and spontaneous. Set photo limits to make every shot meaningful. CURATED FILTERS Choose from carefully crafted filters so every memory has a unified, timeless aesthetic. HOST PROMPTS (NUDGES) Hosts can request specific shots during the event - like βteam toastβ, βtake a selfieβ, βfirst danceβ, or βeveryone smilingβ. GALLERY REVEAL Unveil the photos live throughout the event or after the event - ideal for that collective βwowβ moment. EASY SHARING Gems generates a unique QR code and link so anyone can join and share effortlessly.
ROLL
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One shared roll for the whole party. ROLL turns any event into a single disposable camera that everyone shoots on together. Create a roll, share its QR code, and your guests start capturing the night from their own eyes β no app to download, no account to make. Nobody sees a thing until you reveal the roll. Then the whole event lands at once, the morning after: the candid, everyone's-angle version of the night you'd never get from one phone. HOW IT WORKS β’ Shoot β like a disposable camera. Each guest gets 10β50 frames, no retakes, no delete. Just point and shoot. β’ Reveal β every photo stays sealed until you reveal the roll. Do it at the end of the night or schedule it for the next morning. β’ Invite β guests join with a single tap via App Clip. No install, no sign-up. WHY YOU'LL LOVE IT β’ Every angle, full resolution β hundreds of real photos from the people who were actually there. β’ One film look β pick a style and the whole roll matches, like it came from a single camera. β’ Export it all β download the originals or open a web gallery everyone can browse. β’ One price per event by guest count. Guests are always free, however many photos they take. NEW: THE HUB Plan the whole event, not just the photos. The Hub is your home for the tools around the day: β’ Invitations β design a beautiful digital invite from ready-made templates. β’ Event page β build a gorgeous web page with your details, photos and directions. β’ Extras β add a quiz, a shared playlist, a wishlist and a menu. β’ RSVPs β collect replies and see exactly who's coming. Perfect for weddings, birthdays, parties, bachelorette weekends, graduations, and company events. MAKE A VIDEO Turn the roll into a video. Pick your favourite shots from a developed roll and ROLL winds them into a shareable film-strip recap, ready for Stories. Every event also gets an automatic recap the moment the roll develops. Put down your phone. Pick up the roll.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Gems at none against ROLL's 7. Gems also leads on iOS requirement (15.1 vs 17.0). On price, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price Β· Rating Β· Positive reviews Β· Number of ratings Β· Update frequency Β· Ads Β· In-app purchases Β· Monetization Β· Best chart rank Β· Devices Β· Requires iOS
Both are free to download. ROLL sells 7 one-off in-app purchases. Gems asks for nothing beyond the download.
Gems ships an update every 6 days, ROLL weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Gems | ROLL |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Update frequency | Every 6 days β better | Weekly |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No β better | Yes |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod β better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 β better | 17.0 |
| Further details β not scored | ||
| Size | 80 MB | 5 MB |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Studio PropelHaus Inc. | Dan Merlea |
In-app purchases
Gems
No in-app purchases
ROLL
- 10 guests$9.99
- 25 guests$14.99
- 50 guests$29.99
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- 100 guests$49.99
- 200 guests$79.99
- 250 guests$99.99
- Unlimited guests$149.99








