# Photo Collage Layout Maker vs Aura Frames

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Aura Frames at none against Photo Collage Layout Maker's 10. Aura Frames also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 5 days vs every 3 weeks). Photo Collage Layout Maker's advantage is review sentiment (87% vs 62%). On price, rating, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Photo Collage Layout Maker sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $11.99 per year. Aura Frames asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for Photo Collage Layout Maker against 4.8 for Aura Frames. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 6.1K and 27K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 87% of Photo Collage Layout Maker's written reviews are positive against 62% of Aura Frames's.

Photo Collage Layout Maker ships an update every 3 weeks, Aura Frames every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Photo Collage Layout Maker | Aura Frames |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.8 (6.1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/photo-collage-layout-maker/id689388488/reviews) | [4.8 (27K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/aura-frames/id990062908/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 6.1K | **27K** |
| Positive reviews | **86.5% of reviews** | 62.4% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Every 5 days** |
| Monetization | Freemium | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | — | **#79** |
| Size | 71 MB | 260 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Alan Cushway](https://appshunter.io/developer/327081988) | [Aura Home, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/909140012) |

## What reviewers say

### Photo Collage Layout Maker

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/photo-collage-layout-maker/id689388488)

Create stunning photo collages with over 1000 free layouts, backgrounds, stickers, and drawing tools. Easily combine up to 20 photos and enhance them with filters, borders, and text for social media or marketing.

**Highlights:** Over 1000 free layout combinations, Scrapbook-style collage templates, 150+ pattern and color borders, Themed stickers and custom sticker creation, Drawing and advanced text editing tools, 30+ photo filters, Various canvas sizes for social media

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium | $11.99 | per year |
| Valentine's | $0.99 | one-time |
| Easter | $0.99 | one-time |
| Fun Stickers | $0.99 | one-time |
| Ransom Note | $0.99 | one-time |
| Halloween | $0.99 | one-time |
| Vintage Elements | $0.99 | one-time |
| Words | $0.99 | one-time |
| Unlock All Stickers | $2.99 | one-time |
| Pro Upgrade | $3.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use
- 🎨 Lots of customization options
- 💡 Great for creating scrapbooks and collages
- 🎨 Versatile design tools
- 👍 User-friendly interface

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Subscription model can be expensive
- 🔒 Limited free features, need to pay for premium
- 🐛 Occasional bugs and crashes
- 🎨 Limited selection of stickers and frames
- 🎨 Could use more design options and updates

**Reported bugs**

- Borders disappearing when saving photos
- Text formatting issues
- Occasional freezing or lagging

**Requested features**

- More free design elements and templates
- Ability to edit existing collages
- Alignment tools for precise layout
- More background and border options
- Integration with other photo apps and services


### Aura Frames

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/aura-frames/id990062908)

**Currently charting:** #79 Top Free · Photo & Video (US App Store)

This smart photo frame app simplifies displaying and sharing your cherished memories. Easily preload photos, connect your frame to WiFi, and invite loved ones to contribute their own pictures and videos. Relive moments together and share meaningful experiences with those closest to you.

**Highlights:** Preload photos and messages as gifts, Quick WiFi frame setup, Invite family to share photos, Unlimited photo and video sharing, View family contributions, Scan prints with phone camera

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use app
- 👍 Ability to share photos with family
- 👍 Great quality of photos on frame
- 👍 Convenient way to display family photos
- 👍 Helpful for grandparents to stay connected

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 App crashes and freezes frequently
- 🐛 Issues with uploading and displaying photos
- 🐛 Inconsistent WiFi connectivity
- 🐛 Limited customization options for photo display
- 🐛 Buggy software after recent updates

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes when trying to upload photos
- Frame randomly disconnects from WiFi
- Live Photos feature not working as expected
- Inability to delete individual photos from frame
- Inconsistent behavior when changing WiFi networks

**Requested features**

- Add ability to organize photos into albums
- Implement manual photo sorting and ordering
- Allow more control over photo display timing
- Integrate with cloud storage services like OneDrive
- Improve photo positioning and cropping algorithms


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Photo Collage Layout Maker free?

Photo Collage Layout Maker is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Aura Frames free?

Aura Frames is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Photo Collage Layout Maker or Aura Frames?

Photo Collage Layout Maker and Aura Frames are both rated 4.8 out of 5 on the App Store, from 6.1K and 27K ratings respectively.

### Do Photo Collage Layout Maker or Aura Frames have ads?

Photo Collage Layout Maker shows ads; Aura Frames does not.

### Which is updated more often, Photo Collage Layout Maker or Aura Frames?

Photo Collage Layout Maker ships an update every 3 weeks, and Aura Frames every 5 days. Most recently, Photo Collage Layout Maker was updated on September 22, 2026 and Aura Frames on September 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.*