Vision Simulator vs DermScope
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Vision Simulator
Experience the world through the eyes of someone with various vision conditions. This tool uses your camera or photos to simulate effects like nearsightedness, astigmatism, cataracts, and glaucoma, aiding understanding for patients, students, and the curious. It offers adjustable severity and side-by-side comparisons.
- Simulates multiple vision conditions
- Uses live camera or uploaded photos
- Adjustable severity sliders
- Side-by-side comparison mode
- Built-in sample scenes
- Offline functionality
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See the world the way someone with an eye condition does. Vision Simulator applies realistic, clinically informed vision effects to your live camera or any photo. Point it at a room, a face, a street at night or an eye chart, then switch conditions to see how each one changes sight. It was built by Dr. Ryan Evans, OD, a practicing optometrist, to help patients and families understand what an eye condition does to vision. WHO IT'S FOR • Families who want to understand what a parent or child is going through • Eye care professionals explaining a diagnosis in the exam room • Optometry, medical and nursing students • Teachers, caregivers, designers and anyone curious about vision 10 CONDITIONS • Myopia (nearsightedness): with Snellen acuity presets • Astigmatism: with adjustable axis • Cataract: yellowing, glare and contrast loss • Glaucoma: peripheral field loss by stage, down to end-stage tunnel vision • Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD): distortion early, a dark central blind spot when advanced • Diabetic Retinopathy: hemorrhages, exudates and vitreous hemorrhage by stage • Color Vision Deficiency: red, green and blue types • Floaters & Posterior Vitreous Detachment (PVD) • Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP): narrowing tunnel vision • Presbyopia: the near-focus blur that starts in your 40s Plus Normal Vision, a clear reference to compare against. FREE • Live camera and photo upload • 6 built-in sample scenes, including a reading test, eye chart and Amsler grid • Normal Vision plus 3 conditions: Myopia, Astigmatism and Cataract • Adjustable severity • Plain-language notes for each condition PRO: ONE-TIME $4.99 UNLOCK No subscription. Pay once, keep it. • 7 more conditions: Glaucoma, AMD, Diabetic Retinopathy, Color Blindness, Floaters/PVD, Retinitis Pigmentosa and Presbyopia • Combine multiple conditions at once, such as cataract plus glaucoma • Side-by-side Compare: drag to wipe between normal and simulated vision • Family Sharing supported • Restore your purchase anytime on your devices PRIVACY • No ads • No account needed • Data Not Collected: images are processed on your device and are never stored or shared An internet connection is required to use the app. IMPORTANT Vision Simulator is for education and demonstration only. It is not a diagnostic tool and does not replace a comprehensive eye examination. Simulations are approximations, and every person's vision is different. If you notice changes in your vision, see your eye doctor.
DermScope
Document and measure skin spots with consistent photography and a chronological timeline. This private tool helps you track changes over time and organize information for healthcare professionals.
- Consistent close-up photography
- Calibrated on-image measurement
- Chronological spot timelines
- Private, on-device data storage
- Exportable summaries
- Manual camera controls
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Create a consistent record of a skin spot with DermScope. Photograph, measure, and document spots over time using an organized, private timeline instead of relying on scattered camera-roll photos or memory. CAPTURE CONSISTENTLY Take repeatable close-up photos with manual focus, exposure, and torch controls. DermScope keeps the camera on one lens during capture, helping you maintain a more consistent photographic record across sessions. MEASURE WITH CALIBRATION Use calibrated on-image measurement to record a spot’s size. Save measurements with each photograph and review the recorded values over time. BUILD A TIMELINE Each saved spot has its own chronological timeline. Review its photographs, dates, notes, and measurement history in one organized place. PRIVATE BY DESIGN Your photographs and tracking data stay on your device. DermScope requires no account and does not collect or upload your data. Nothing is shared unless you choose to export it. CREATE A CLEAR SUMMARY Premium includes measurement and export summaries that can help you organize information before an appointment or share your documented records with a healthcare professional. FREE AND PREMIUM The free tier includes capture, calibrated measurement, and a complete timeline for one subject and one spot. DermScope Premium offers unlimited subjects and spots, along with measurement and export summaries. Monthly and annual subscriptions provide the same Premium features. People who purchased DermScope before the introduction of subscriptions retain permanent Premium access. If a subscription ends, existing saved records remain accessible; DermScope does not delete or hide previously created data. SUBSCRIPTION DETAILS DermScope Premium is available as a monthly or annual auto-renewable subscription. Payment is charged to your Apple Account when the purchase is confirmed. Your subscription renews automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current subscription period. You can manage or cancel your subscription in your App Store account settings. IMPORTANT MEDICAL INFORMATION DermScope is a documentation and measurement tool. It does not diagnose skin conditions, determine whether a spot is dangerous, or assess cancer risk. Measurements and photographs are not a substitute for professional medical evaluation. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional about spots or changes that concern you. Privacy Policy: https://rndsrnd.github.io/dermscope-privacy-policy/ Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: DermScope at none against Vision Simulator's 1. Vision Simulator's advantage is update cadence (every 3 days vs every 3 weeks) and device support (3 vs 1). On price, rating, ratings volume and ads 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
Both are free to download. Vision Simulator sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. DermScope asks for nothing beyond the download.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Vision Simulator against 5.0 for DermScope. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 1 respectively.
Vision Simulator ships an update every 3 days, DermScope every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.
| Parameter | Vision Simulator | DermScope |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (1 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) |
| Number of ratings | 1 | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 days — better | Every 3 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Paid | Freemium — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 46 MB | 5 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Ryan Evans | DALTON SANDOR DRISCOLL |
Customer experience
Vision Simulator
DermScope
In-app purchases
Vision Simulator
- Vision Simulator Pro$4.99
DermScope
No in-app purchases

