Comparison

Side Search vs LightCamera

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

Head to head
About

Side Search

Launch your preferred AI assistant or search engine using the Side Button or Action Button. Customize assistants with custom URLs or integrate with Apple Foundation Models, Claude API, or Google Gemini API.

Highlights
  • Launch AI assistants via Side/Action Button
  • Custom URL-based assistants
  • Apple Foundation Models integration
  • Claude API support
  • Google Gemini API support
  • Side Bridge for custom endpoints
Features
Read full description

Quickly launch your preferred AI assistant or search engine as a voice assistant from the Side Button or Action Button. ### Launch from Side Button ### On iPhone in Japan, you can assign Side Search to the Side Button. You can start your favorite assistant by pressing and holding the Side Button. ### Assistants ### --- URL Based Assistant You can turn various AI assistants and search engines into assistants by setting a custom URL. --- Apple Foundation Models You can converse with privacy-focused models on devices that support Apple Intelligence. --- Claude API You can ask Claude to perform web searches or ask questions using your own API key. --- Google Gemini API You can converse with Gemini and ask it to perform web searches using your own API Key. --- Side Bridge For advanced users, you can use any assistant by creating an endpoint called Side Bridge.

About

LightCamera

Features
Read full description

LightCamera is a simple, lightweight camera app. Shoot, then share instantly — designed for quick photo memos. ・Instant preview right after shooting. Don't like it? Retake it on the spot. Pinch to zoom the preview in and out. ・Switch between front and back cameras. ・On supported devices, switch between ultra wide (0.5x), standard (1x), and telephoto lenses with a single tap. ・Rotate, copy, and share your photos with ease. ・Toggle "Save to Camera Roll," "Share immediately after capture," and "Save to Album" independently. ・Add a note to your photo after shooting, by keyboard or by voice. Quickly reuse past notes from your history. ・Optionally burn in a "Timestamp" showing when the note was confirmed.

Screenshots

Side Search3 screens
LightCamera4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: LightCamera at every 2 days against Side Search's every 6 days. 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

Side Search ships an update every 6 days, LightCamera every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on September 16, 2026 and September 15, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 7 level
Side Search versus LightCamera: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSide SearchLightCamera
PriceFreeFree
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews—
Update frequencyEvery 6 daysEvery 2 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS27.026.2 — better
Further details — not scored
Size36 MB11 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperCizzuk ShihuYasuko Shikiuchi

In-app purchases

None

Side Search

No in-app purchases

None

LightCamera

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Side Search free?
Side Search is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is LightCamera free?
LightCamera is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Side Search or LightCamera have ads?
Neither Side Search nor LightCamera shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Side Search or LightCamera?
Side Search ships an update every 6 days, and LightCamera every 2 days. Most recently, Side Search was updated on September 16, 2026 and LightCamera on September 15, 2026.

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