Comparison

TetherDrop vs Lighting Recipe

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

Head to head
About

TetherDrop

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TetherDrop is a focused tethered shooting app for receiving JPEG images from cameras on iPhone and iPad. External camera connection and automatic JPEG receiving over USB-C, Wi-Fi (PTP/IP), or FTP require an active subscription. Importing photos from your library, viewing, rating, color tagging, grid selection, filtering, sharing through the iOS share sheet (including AirDrop), and saving to Photos are available without a subscription. Subscription features: • Receive JPEGs over USB, Wi-Fi, or FTP • View new captures immediately Free features: • Import photos from your photo library • Single-photo and grid views • 1:1 pixel zoom • Ratings and color tags • Sort by capture order, newest first, or rating • Filter by rating and tag • Share selected photos, including with AirDrop • Save selected photos to Photos • External keyboard shortcuts • Camera-specific connection guide Verified connection examples include selected Canon EOS, Sony α, Nikon Z, and Fujifilm GFX cameras. Compatibility may vary depending on camera model, firmware, connection mode, USB cable, and memory card condition. Note: TetherDrop is JPEG-only. It does not save RAW files or videos. In RAW+JPEG mode, supported cameras receive the JPEG files only. External camera connection and automatic JPEG receiving require an active subscription. Subscriptions can be managed or canceled in the App Store at any time. Sharing features, including AirDrop, are not paywalled. USB connections require a data-capable cable. If the camera does not connect, check the camera connection mode, network settings, memory card, and cable. Terms of Use (Apple Standard EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://takumishinoda0625-beep.github.io/TetherDrop-Support/#privacy

About

Lighting Recipe

Record, recreate, and share lighting setups with detailed 3D diagrams. Organize your gear, import photo data, and export shareable images. Works offline and supports custom equipment.

Highlights
  • 3D lighting setup editor
  • Intuitive diagram recording
  • Automatic EXIF data import
  • Customizable gear vault
  • Visual rig builder
  • Image export with shooting data
Features
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■ Sound familiar? "How did I light that shot again...?" "The client wants the exact same setup as last time..." "I want to share how this was lit on social media..." Lighting Recipe is an app for photographers to record, recreate and share lighting setups as diagrams. You can register and place your own unique or DIY gear and props — so it works for photographers of every genre. ■ Features - 3D editing mode: build your lighting setup in 3D, check how subject, backdrop and lights look, and see it mirrored in the diagram - Lighting diagram editor: record light positions, height, power, color and beam intuitively - EXIF reading: just pick a photo — camera, lens, aperture, shutter speed, ISO and focal length are filled in automatically - Gear vault: organize your lighting equipment by category, with photos and prices - Builder: assemble lights, modifiers and stands into a visual rig - Dry cabinet: manage cameras and lenses as assets (serial number support — a record that helps if gear is ever stolen) - My Sets: recall your favorite gear combinations with one tap - Image export: combine your diagram and shooting data into a single shareable image - Available in 8 languages ■ Your data All data is stored on your device. No account required — works offline. Premium members can optionally use Cloud Backup. ■ Lighting Recipe Premium (monthly subscription) - Unlimited recipe saves (free: 30) - 10 lights A–J (free: 5) - 10 My Set slots (free: 5) - Expanded dry cabinet: 30 cameras / 50 lenses (free: 3 / 5) - Cloud Backup: sign in with Apple to back up and restore your data Payment is charged to your Apple ID account. The subscription renews automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the period. Manage or cancel anytime in Settings > Apple ID > Subscriptions. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://mafmafgs-source.github.io/lighting-recipe/privacy.html

Screenshots

TetherDrop4 screens
Lighting Recipe4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Lighting Recipe at none against TetherDrop's 2. On price, update cadence, ads 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. TetherDrop sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Lighting Recipe asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

TetherDrop ships an update every 2 days, Lighting Recipe daily. The most recent releases landed on September 20, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 8 level
TetherDrop versus Lighting Recipe: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTetherDropLighting Recipe
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Number of ratings—1 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 daysDaily — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
Monetization—Freemium
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size14 MB28 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTakumi Shinodahiroyuki nakai

In-app purchases

2 purchases

TetherDrop

Subscriptions2
  • Display Name:$3.991 Month
  • TetherDrop Annual1 Year trial$29.991 Year
None

Lighting Recipe

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is TetherDrop free?
TetherDrop is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Lighting Recipe free?
Lighting Recipe is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do TetherDrop or Lighting Recipe have ads?
Neither TetherDrop nor Lighting Recipe shows ads.
Which is updated more often, TetherDrop or Lighting Recipe?
TetherDrop ships an update every 2 days, and Lighting Recipe daily. Most recently, TetherDrop was updated on September 20, 2026 and Lighting Recipe on September 22, 2026.

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