Comparison

AlphaLuma vs B&W Camera

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

Head to head
About

AlphaLuma

Features
Read full description

AlphaLuma is a clean, no-fuss light meter for photographers who want reliable exposure guidance fast. AlphaLuma turns your iPhone into a focused light metering companion: a live camera preview, clear readouts, and tools that help you set aperture, shutter, ISO, and exposure intent—fast. What you get • Live metering readouts Estimated aperture, shutter speed, ISO, EV compensation (manual vs meter), and AWB with Kelvin so you can align with how you shoot. • Live histogram See how brightness is distributed across the frame. Zones for Shadows, Midtones, and Highlights help you spot clipping and balance at a glance. Toggle the histogram on or off from the camera screen. • Luminance waveform (scope-style) A professional-style waveform monitor overlay: horizontal position follows the scene left-to-right; vertical position is brightness (shadows at the bottom, highlights at the top). It shows luminance density per column, not a single line per column, so you can see where in the frame brightness lives. S / M / H labels mark shadow, midtone, and highlight regions; a Safe exposure hint pairs with the green guide line as a quick reference band for key brightness placement (you still judge the final look). • Camera & workflow controls Camera toggle to switch cameras where supported. Lock exposure freezes readouts (including histogram and waveform snapshots) so you can note settings or share them with others on set. Large type (Aa) bumps readout size for bright sun or quick glances. • Designed for real shooting Minimal UI, high contrast overlays, and tools laid out for one-handed use: metering at the top, optional waveform above the histogram, and controls along the bottom. How to use it Point the phone at the scene. Read the meter and guides. Transfer settings to your camera. Lock when you want a stable reference while you work. Pricing • 7-day free trial on device • One-time unlock for full access (non-consumable; no subscription) AlphaLuma is built for photographers who want a simple, dependable meter with histogram and waveform insight when they need it without clutter.

About

B&W Camera

Features
Read full description

B&W Camera is a dedicated black & white camera for creators, filmmakers, photographers, and anyone who loves the timeless look of monochrome. See the world in black & white before you shoot. Compose directly in monochrome and capture photos and videos without applying filters afterwards. FOUR WAYS TO SHOOT • Time-Lapse — create dramatic monochrome time-lapse videos • Video — record black & white video in up to 4K at 60 FPS • Photo — capture monochrome photos in 12MP, 24MP or full-resolution 48MP on supported iPhones • Cinematic — shoot 4K 30 FPS monochrome video with intelligent subject focus tracking CAMERA FEATURES • Live black & white camera preview • Direct black & white photo and video capture • 1080p and 4K video recording • 30 FPS and 60 FPS recording • Up to 48MP monochrome photography on supported iPhones • Time-Lapse recording • Cinematic shooting mode • Intelligent subject focus tracking in Cinematic mode • Front and rear camera support • Front camera zoom • Precise zoom controls • Camera Control support on compatible iPhones • Video stabilization • Portrait and landscape recording • Torch support • Photos and videos saved directly to your Photos library MADE FOR CREATORS B&W Camera is designed to feel like a real camera rather than a filter editor. Frame your shot, choose your shooting mode, control your zoom and see the monochrome image while you're shooting. From 48MP still photography to 4K 60 FPS video, Time-Lapse and Cinematic shooting, everything is built around one idea: shoot in black & white from the start. FREE TO SHOOT Record in 1080p at 30 FPS for free. B&W Camera Pro is a one-time purchase that unlocks 4K recording and 60 FPS. No subscription required. See differently. Shoot in black & white.

Screenshots

AlphaLuma4 screens
B&W Camera4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: B&W Camera at 18.0 against AlphaLuma's 26.4. 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. AlphaLuma sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and B&W Camera sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Scorecard1 real difference · 7 level
AlphaLuma versus B&W Camera: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAlphaLumaB&W Camera
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Number of ratings—1 — better
Update frequency—Every 4 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, Apple Watch
Requires iOS26.418.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size15 MB8 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperObipixel LtdMichal Kulisek

In-app purchases

1 purchases

AlphaLuma

One-time1
  • AlphaLuma$3.99
1 purchases

B&W Camera

One-time1
  • BWCamera Pro$4.99

Questions

Is AlphaLuma free?
AlphaLuma is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is B&W Camera free?
B&W Camera is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do AlphaLuma or B&W Camera have ads?
Neither AlphaLuma nor B&W Camera shows ads.

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