TetherDrop vs Lighting Recipe
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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
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.
- 3D lighting setup editor
- Intuitive diagram recording
- Automatic EXIF data import
- Customizable gear vault
- Visual rig builder
- Image export with shooting data
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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
Verdict
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
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.
TetherDrop ships an update every 2 days, Lighting Recipe daily. The most recent releases landed on September 20, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | TetherDrop | Lighting Recipe |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Number of ratings | — | 1 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 days | Daily — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | — | Freemium |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | 15.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 14 MB | 28 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Takumi Shinoda | hiroyuki nakai |
In-app purchases
TetherDrop
- Display Name:$3.991 Month
- TetherDrop Annual1 Year trial$29.991 Year
Lighting Recipe
No in-app purchases









