Instant HDR vs Mayica
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side β with what reviewers say about each.
Instant HDR
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Instant HDR converts ordinary photos into real HDR JPEGs tuned for Instagram posting. Most HDR photo apps push a stronger effect before upload. But Instagram applies its own HDR processing, which can visibly alter the image after posting. Instant HDR is built around that behavior. Instead of chasing an exaggerated pre-upload preview, Instant HDR is tuned to preserve your photoβs intended look after Instagram upload, while still producing a bold HDR effect once the post goes live. Features: β’ One-tap HDR conversion β’ Tuned specifically for Instagram posting β’ Helps keep your SDR image stable after upload β’ Local on-device processing β’ Saves the converted HDR JPEG to your photo library β’ Optional subscription removes the export watermark Instant HDR is made for creators who want reliable HDR output β not a preview that falls apart after posting. Terms of Use: https://hdrguru.vercel.app/terms Privacy Policy: https://hdrguru.vercel.app/privacy
Mayica
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Maybe it's the camera. Maybe I just love you. Photos of the people we love always look a little better. That thought is where Mayica started. Remember the tiny camera keyring on your bag? Mayica keeps a wall of them. Pick one, hang it by the shutter, and just shoot. Tilt your phone and it swings. Press the shutter and the photo takes on that camera's color and grain. The viewfinder shows the scene exactly as it is. Every camera on the wall suits a different scene: a Sunday afternoon with nothing planned, tulips at the flower market, convenience-store light on a wet road, dense black and white, even a photo that looks like it came from the phone you had back then. Choosing which one to hang today is where the shot begins. FOR YOU IF β’ You love the feel of film but are tired of scrolling through twenty filters. β’ You want the photo finished on the spot, with no editing afterward. β’ You keep photos of the people you love, the light on a trip, and days when nothing happened. SHOOTING IS SIMPLE β’ Pick 14, 28, 35, or 50 mm, tap to focus, touch and hold to lock it. β’ Swipe up and down for exposure, left and right for the aperture effect: how much the background blurs and how the lens feels. β’ Hold the shutter for a bulb exposure and keep the trails of light. β’ 4:3, 16:9, 1:1, a grid, a level, and portrait composition guides. β’ Review right after the shot, save or retake, and keep the original too if you like. MAYICA PRO β’ Import photos from your library or another app's share sheet and give them the look of any camera. β’ Save and share every camera's photos without the watermark. β’ Shooting and every camera stay free. Some cameras add a small Mayica mark below the photo on free saves; the camera picker shows which ones. β’ PRO is an auto-renewing annual subscription you can manage or cancel anytime from Settings. Everything happens on your device. No account, no sign-in. Camera names are inspired by real films and cameras, but their colors are not copies. For ad measurement, Singular processes app launches and sessions plus limited device and network information. Photos and location never leave your device for Singular. This app follows Apple's standard EULA. https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: Mayica at daily against Instant HDR's every 2 weeks. Instant HDR's advantage is iOS requirement (16.0 vs 18.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases 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. Instant HDR sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $2.99 per month and Mayica sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $9.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Instant HDR ships an update every 2 weeks, Mayica daily. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 18, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Instant HDR | Mayica |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | Daily β better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone, iPad β better |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 β better | 18.0 |
| Further details β not scored | ||
| Size | 7 MB | 35 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Alexander Chaldryan | Chanhee Bak |
In-app purchases
Instant HDR
- Instant HDR Premium$2.991 Month
Mayica
- Mayica PRO Annual$9.991 Year









