Comparison

Once vs LoTime

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

Head to head
About

Once

This app allows hosts to create a shared, disposable-style camera for events. Guests can contribute photos with limited shots, and all images are revealed together at a set time, preserving memories with a unique film aesthetic.

Highlights
  • Create shared event cameras
  • QR code guest access (no download needed)
  • Limited shots per guest
  • Delayed photo reveal
  • Private galleries
  • Host controls for limits and reveal
  • Downloadable galleries
Features
Read full description

How Once Works: 1. Create a film for your event and set the rules 2. Share a QR code or link so guests can join in seconds (No download needed for guests) 3. Everyone shoots in the moment with limited shots per person 4. Photos unlock together at the time you choose, ready to relive and save Why Hosts Choose Once: - QR join, no friction: Guests can join with or without the app via App Clip. - Shared camera for the whole group: Centralize every candid and POV in one place. - Limited shots = better photos: Scarcity encourages thoughtful, story-driven captures. - Delayed reveal: Unlock photos at event end or a custom time to keep guests present. - Private by default: You control access, visibility, and downloads. - Host controls: Set shot limits, reveal mode (instant or delayed), and participant caps. - Download everything: Save full galleries to your device or archive them for later. - Beautiful “film” feel: Subtle, tasteful looks that keep skin tones and ambience true. Perfect For: - Weddings and receptions - Bachelor/Bachelorette parties and showers - Birthdays and reunions - Group trips and retreats - Team offsites - School events, clubs, and fundraisers We Care About Your Privacy: Your event gallery is private by default and controlled by the host. We do not sell your data. See our Privacy Policy at once.film/privacy. Support: Questions or feedback? Please feel free to reach out to us at hello@once.film Life happens only Once. Make sure to capture every angle of it.

About

LoTime

This app captures photos with the authentic look and feel of film photography, using a special lens and a unique development process. It encourages intentional memory-making with limited daily shots and delayed previews, fostering a more present experience.

Highlights
  • Exclusive lens integration
  • Limited daily frames
  • Delayed photo development
  • Authentic film processing
  • Organized rolls and collections
  • Share developed rolls
Features
Read full description

LoTime brings the feeling of film photography to the camera you already carry every day. Pair your LoTime lens with the app to capture photos with real optical character, soft imperfections, and a nostalgic look that cannot be replicated by filters alone. Every photo is part of a roll. You get a limited number of frames each day, no instant previews, and no endless retakes. Once you shoot, your photos develop over time, bringing back the anticipation that made photography feel special. LoTime is designed to help you be more present, capture memories intentionally, and see the world differently. Features: • Exclusive LoTime lens integration
 • Limited daily frames for more intentional photography
 • Delayed photo development
 • Authentic film inspired image processing
 • Organized daily rolls and photo collections • Share developed rolls with friends Less scrolling. More remembering.

Screenshots

Once4 screens
LoTime4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: LoTime at none against Once's shown. LoTime also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 71%) and rating (5.0 vs 4.7). Once's advantage is ratings volume (702 vs 8) and update cadence (every 5 days vs every 2 weeks). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model 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. Once sells 18 one-off in-app purchases and LoTime sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

LoTime holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Once has 702 ratings behind it against 8, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 71% of Once's written reviews are positive against 100% of LoTime's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Once ships an update every 5 days, LoTime every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Once versus LoTime: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterOnceLoTime
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (702 ratings)5.0 (8 ratings) — better
Positive reviews71.4% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings702 — better8
Update frequencyEvery 5 days — betterEvery 2 weeks
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS16.4 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size144 MB90 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer10xCompanyLoTime INC

Customer experience

Once

All ratings702 ratings
Positive94.0%
Neutral1.3%
Negative4.7%
Written reviews56 reviews
Positive71.4%
Neutral5.4%
Negative23.2%

LoTime

All ratings8 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

18 purchases

Once

One-time18
  • Film: 10 participants$1.99
  • Add 10 participants$3.99
  • Film: 25 participants$4.99
Show 15 more
  • Film: 25 participants$6.99
  • 5 Participants (Unlimited Shots)$9.99
  • Unlimited shots upgrade$9.99
  • Add 25 Participants$9.99
  • Film: 50 participants$14.99
  • Film: 50 participants$19.99
  • Add 50 Participants$19.99
  • 50 Participants (Unlimited Shots)$24.99
  • Film: 100 participants$29.99
  • Film: 100 participants$39.99
  • 100 Participants (Unlimited Shots)$39.99
  • Film: 150 participants$49.99
  • 150 Participants (Unlimited Shots)$59.99
  • Film: 200 participants$69.99
  • Film: Unlimited participants$99.99
5 purchases

LoTime

Subscriptions4
  • LoTime Plus$2.991 Month
  • LoTime Pro$5.991 Month
  • LoTime Plus1 Month trial$24.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • LoTime Pro$49.991 Year
One-time1
  • Extra Roll$0.99

Questions

Is Once free?
Once is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is LoTime free?
LoTime is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Once or LoTime?
LoTime is rated higher. Once averages 4.7 out of 5 from 702 ratings, while LoTime averages 5.0 from 8 ratings.
Do Once or LoTime have ads?
Once shows ads; LoTime does not.
Which is updated more often, Once or LoTime?
Once ships an update every 5 days, and LoTime every 2 weeks. Most recently, Once was updated on October 30, 2026 and LoTime on October 24, 2026.

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