Comparison

PureLut Camera vs SHC3

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

Head to head
About

PureLut Camera

Features
Read full description

PureLut. Pure Pictures, Film Lut Soul. Capture the soul of film with the precision of digital. PureLut transforms your iPhone into a film simulation camera powerhouse, blending classic analog aesthetics with modern PureRAW picture flexibility. What’s New in PureLut? We've built PureLut from the ground up for photographers and filmmakers who cherish the look of film. Our app goes beyond filters, offering authentic film simulations through professional 3D LUTs, combined with full manual controls and RAW processing. Key Features: • Authentic Film Simulations — Apply professional 3D LUTs that replicate classic film stocks from Kodak, Fujifilm, and more. • Comes with PreLoaded Film simulation Selected Luts • Pure RAW Capture — Shoot in RAW DNG or Jpeg, Heif with without any processing or with the film look • Advanced Processing Pipeline — Fine-tune your images with professional adjustments: gamma, contrast, saturation, and temperature. Add analog effects like halation, bloom, and grain. • Import Your Own LUTs — Bring your custom 3D LUTs (in .cube format) and organize them with tags and favorites. • Aspect Ratio Composing — Frame your shot in classic aspect ratios: 4:3, 1:1 and 65:24 Xpan • Intuitive Interface — Designed for one-handed use with a left-handed option. Swipe and tap to adjust without missing a shot. • Background Processing — Capture rapidly and let the app process in the background.

About

SHC3

This camera app prioritizes a consistent and predictable user experience, mimicking a physical camera. It offers advanced customization for shooting logic and image styles, allowing users to capture and process high-quality RAW images with extensive creative control.

Highlights
  • Consistent control logic
  • Customizable operation system
  • 16-bit RAW capture
  • Layered image styles (Color, Tone, Effects, Recipe)
  • On-device processing
  • No account or tracking
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SHC3 - Simple Hardcore Camera (3). An app. A camera. A tool you can trust when you press the shutter. SHC3 is built around a single idea: a camera app should feel like a real camera. Consistent control logic, a static UI that does not jump around, predictable behavior shot after shot. Out of the box it works close to the stock camera. Go deeper and you can shape your own shooting logic and image style, then switch between them instantly. CONSISTENT CONTROL LOGIC A handy tool. Stable, flexible, less distraction. Different parameters share the same interaction pattern so your hands learn once and apply everywhere. CUSTOM OPERATION SYSTEM Tailor the controls to your shooting style. Strip away what you don't need, keep what makes you faster. 16-BIT RAW Capture the raw sensor data with a precise, tuned color pipeline. Minimal algorithmic intervention - the image stays yours to finish. IMAGE STYLE, FOUR LAYERS • Color - dozens of color presets that set the overall tone of the frame. • Tone - fine-tune tonality on top of the color base, control light and depth. • Effects - layer in texture and atmosphere for creative expression. • Recipe - combine Color, Tone, and Effects into a recipe. Preview in real time, switch instantly, share with others. Free parameter combinations. Presets are not the ceiling. FOCUSED Only what matters to the image itself. No unrelated features, no fluff, no clutter. Made for photographers who know what they're doing. PRIVACY All processing happens on your device. No account, no sign-up, no tracking. Your photos stay in your Photo Library. Terms of Use (EULA): https://shc3.aligo.dev/en/terms/

Screenshots

PureLut Camera4 screens
SHC34 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: SHC3 at Free against PureLut Camera's $4.99. SHC3 also leads on iOS requirement (18.0 vs 26.0). PureLut Camera's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and update cadence (every 4 days vs every 2 weeks). On ads 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

SHC3 is free to download; PureLut Camera costs $4.99 up front. SHC3 sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.49 per month. PureLut Camera asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PureLut Camera ships an update every 4 days, SHC3 every 2 weeks. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
PureLut Camera versus SHC3: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPureLut CameraSHC3
Price$4.99Free — better
Rating—5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Number of ratings—1 — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 days — betterEvery 2 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
Monetization—Free with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#117 — better—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone
Requires iOS26.018.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size12 MB16 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperCuthbert Muchechealigo

In-app purchases

None

PureLut Camera

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

SHC3

Subscriptions2
  • SHC3 Pro Monthly$0.491 Month
  • SHC3 Pro Annual$2.991 Year

Questions

Is PureLut Camera free?
PureLut Camera costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is SHC3 free?
SHC3 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do PureLut Camera or SHC3 have ads?
Neither PureLut Camera nor SHC3 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, PureLut Camera or SHC3?
PureLut Camera ships an update every 4 days, and SHC3 every 2 weeks. Most recently, PureLut Camera was updated on October 24, 2026 and SHC3 on October 24, 2026.

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