Comparison

FilmDirector vs VHS FX Studio

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

Head to head
About

FilmDirector

Features
Read full description

FilmDirector turns your iPhone into a professional cine camera. Built for filmmakers, content creators and photographers who want full manual control with zero compromises. FULL MANUAL CONTROLS • ISO across the sensor's full supported range • Logarithmic shutter slider for exact exposure time • Exposure compensation (EV) ± • Manual focus with tap-to-focus and precise lens position • White balance with Kelvin temperature and tint • Continuous zoom with shortcuts to real optical focal lengths (0.5x, 1x, 2x, 3x...) CINEMATIC VIDEO • Frame rate up to 60 fps • HDR where the device supports it • Selectable cinematic stabilization • Smooth front/back camera switch • High-res photo with flash and adjustable torch CUSTOM PRESETS Save any configuration (ISO, shutter, WB, fps, focus, zoom) as a one-tap preset. 3 presets free, unlimited with Pro. APPLE WATCH COMPANION Drive recording right from your wrist: • Start/stop REC without touching the phone • Switch presets on the fly • Live readout of capture parameters • Perfect for solo shoots, vlogs, gimbal work PROFESSIONAL INTERFACE Compact HUD keeps every parameter visible. Dedicated panels for Zoom, Exposure, Focus, WB, Stabilization, Flash and Format. No clutter, full focus on the frame. PRO UNLOCK One-time purchase: unlimited presets. No subscription, no ads. Privacy: no data sent to external servers. Your clips stay in the Photo Library.

About

VHS FX Studio

Features
Read full description

Turn ordinary videos into authentic VHS, CRT, camcorder, and analog-style footage directly on your iPhone. VHS Studio gives you detailed control over the look and feel of your videos with a live preview and an extensive collection of adjustable effects. Create anything from a subtle retro television look to a heavily damaged tape recording. FEATURES • Preview VHS and CRT effects in real time • Apply ready-made presets or build your own custom look • Adjust noise, grain, dust, speckles, scanlines, tracking, warping, jitter, bloom, glow, flicker, color bleed, tape damage, glitches, and more • Preserve the original video shape or choose 16:9, 9:16, 1:1, 4:3, 3:4, 4:5, or cinematic aspect ratios • Use Fit or Fill framing controls • Loop your video while editing • Export and save directly to Photos • Export in 720p, 1080p, or 4K • Choose 24, 30, or 60 frames per second • Process videos locally on your device • No account required Whether you are creating music videos, social clips, short films, nostalgic home-video effects, or experimental visuals, VHS Studio gives you the tools to create a distinctive analog style.

Screenshots

FilmDirector4 screens
VHS FX Studio4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: VHS FX Studio at none against FilmDirector's 1. VHS FX Studio also leads on iOS requirement (17.0 vs 26.0). FilmDirector's advantage is device support (3 vs 1). On price and ads there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price Ā· Rating Ā· Positive reviews Ā· Number of ratings Ā· Update frequency Ā· Ads Ā· In-app purchases Ā· Monetization Ā· Best chart rank Ā· Devices Ā· Requires iOS

CostPrice Ā· In-app purchases Ā· Ads Ā· Monetization

Both are free to download. FilmDirector sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. VHS FX Studio asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard3 real differences Ā· 2 level
FilmDirector versus VHS FX Studio: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFilmDirectorVHS FX Studio
PriceFreeFree
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — betteriPhone
Requires iOS26.017.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size4 MB1 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developergianluca auriemmaOrigin 51 LLC

In-app purchases

1 purchases

FilmDirector

One-time1
  • Get Unlimited Presets$1.99
None

VHS FX Studio

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is FilmDirector free?
FilmDirector is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is VHS FX Studio free?
VHS FX Studio is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do FilmDirector or VHS FX Studio have ads?
Neither FilmDirector nor VHS FX Studio shows ads.

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