Comparison

Once vs Recap

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 digital "film" for events, enabling guests to capture moments with limited shots. Photos are revealed collectively at a set time, preserving memories and encouraging thoughtful photography.

Highlights
  • Create shared event "films"
  • Guest access via QR code or link
  • Limited shots per participant
  • Delayed photo reveal
  • Host controls for rules and access
  • Downloadable photo galleries
  • Authentic "film" aesthetic
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

Recap

Capture and share memories from events with a unique disposable camera experience. Guests have limited shots to intentionally document moments, with photos revealed collectively in a shared album.

Highlights
  • Shared disposable camera experience
  • Limited photo shots per guest
  • Create and personalize events
  • Invite guests via QR code or link
  • Instant or delayed photo reveal
  • Camera roll uploads
  • Save and share individual photos
Read full description

Every guest sees the same moment differently. Recap turns your event into a shared disposable camera experience. Everyone gets a limited number of shots, adds their perspective, and comes together in one shared gallery. Create an event and invite your people with a QR code, link, or invite code. Guests can take photos in Recap or add favorites from their camera roll when uploads are enabled. Fewer shots. More intention. Set a photo limit for each guest, just like a disposable camera. Fewer retakes. Less reviewing. Take the photo, then get back to the event. Reveal it your way. Let photos appear as they’re added, or keep every shot hidden until the event is over. When you’re ready, reveal the gallery and experience it together. Every perspective, one gallery. Browse the event through the eyes of everyone who was there. Save and share your favorites while keeping the full collection in one place. Perfect for: - Weddings and engagement parties - Birthdays, graduations, and baby showers - Bachelorette parties and reunions - Vacations and group trips - Any night that deserves a proper recap With Recap, you can: - Create and personalize your event - Invite guests by QR code, link, or invite code - Set a photo limit for each guest - Choose an instant or delayed reveal - Enable camera roll uploads - Save and share individual photos One event. Every perspective. One Recap.

Screenshots

Once4 screens
Recap4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Once at 4.8 against Recap's 3.7. Once also leads on ratings volume (714 vs 3) and update cadence (every 5 days vs every 3 weeks). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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 10 one-off in-app purchases and Recap sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Once holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Once has 714 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Once ships an update every 5 days, Recap every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Once versus Recap: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterOnceRecap
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (714 ratings) — better3.7 (3 ratings)
Positive reviews70.7% of reviews—
Number of ratings714 — better3
Update frequencyEvery 5 days — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS16.4 — better26.2
Further details — not scored
Size144 MB48 MB
Age rating4+12+
Developer10xCompanyMegogigo LLC

Customer experience

Once

All ratings714 ratings
Positive94.1%
Neutral1.3%
Negative4.6%
Written reviews58 reviews
Positive70.7%
Neutral5.2%
Negative24.1%

Recap

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

10 purchases

Once

One-time10
  • Film: 10 participants$1.99
  • Add 10 participants$3.99
  • Film: 25 participants$4.99
Show 7 more
  • Add 25 Participants$9.99
  • Film: 50 participants$14.99
  • Add 50 Participants$19.99
  • 50 Participants (Unlimited Shots)$24.99
  • Film: 100 participants$29.99
  • 100 Participants (Unlimited Shots)$39.99
  • Film: 150 participants$49.99
3 purchases

Recap

One-time3
  • Event: 25 participants$4.99
  • Event: 50 participants$14.99
  • Event: Unlimited$49.99

Questions

Is Once free?
Once is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Recap free?
Recap is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Once or Recap?
Once is rated higher. Once averages 4.8 out of 5 from 714 ratings, while Recap averages 3.7 from 3 ratings.
Do Once or Recap have ads?
Both Once and Recap show ads.
Which is updated more often, Once or Recap?
Once ships an update every 5 days, and Recap every 3 weeks. Most recently, Once was updated on November 6, 2026 and Recap on November 5, 2026.

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