# Backdrop vs Altered States

Backdrop and Altered States are too close to call on the numbers: across 6 compared parameters — price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

Both are free to download. Backdrop sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $11.99 per month and Altered States sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Backdrop ships an update weekly, Altered States every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Backdrop | Altered States |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Weekly | **Every 5 days** |
| Size | 127 MB | 31 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **17.2** |
| Devices | iPhone | **iPhone, iPad** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Shekhar Upadhaya](https://appshunter.io/developer/1896171196) | [Kwong Wa Chu](https://appshunter.io/developer/1896742335) |

## What reviewers say

### Backdrop

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backdrop-live-effects-camera/id6770320729)

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Backdrop Premium — Monthly | $11.99 | per month |
| Backdrop Premium — Annual | $39.99 | per year |
| Backdrop Premium — Lifetime | $79.99 | one-time |


### Altered States

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/altered-states-live-fx/id6770429516)

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Altered States Pro Monthly | $4.99 | per month |
| Altered States Pro Annual | $39.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Backdrop free?

Backdrop is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Altered States free?

Altered States is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do Backdrop or Altered States have ads?

Neither Backdrop nor Altered States shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Backdrop or Altered States?

Backdrop ships an update weekly, and Altered States every 5 days. Most recently, Backdrop was updated on October 25, 2026 and Altered States on October 24, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*