Comparison

Manual Exposure vs AstroExposure

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

Head to head
About

Manual Exposure

This app provides essential calculators for landscape photographers to determine exposure settings. It includes tools for ND filters, handheld shots, multiple exposures, star photography, and nightscapes, with features like a built-in timer and equipment organization.

Highlights
  • 8 landscape photography calculators
  • Built-in timer and notifications
  • Home screen widget and Apple Watch app
  • Equipment and item info organization
  • Teleconverter support
  • Advanced filter and stabilization settings
  • Dark theme support
Features
Read full description

Manual Exposure does the math for long exposures and night photography. Choose your equipment and settings, and the app gives you the exposure time. No tables or cheat sheets. Calculators • ND filters: exposure time with one or more ND filters. • Handheld shutter speed: the slowest shutter speed you can use without blur. • Multiple exposures: exposure compensation for multiple-exposure shots. • Still stars: the longest exposure before stars start to trail. • Star trails: exposure and number of frames for the trail length you want. • Nightscapes: exposure for landscapes in moonlight. • Moon: exposure for photographing the Moon itself. Features • Built-in timer. Start the countdown and close the app: you'll get a notification when time is up. Run several timers at once. • Home Screen widget and Apple Watch app show the running timer. • Equipment sets. Add cameras, lenses, filters and teleconverters from the catalog, and switch sets in any calculator. • Specs for every item in your sets. • Save your favorite calculators and reopen them with one tap. • ND filter compensation and lens stabilization settings. • Light and dark mode, support for larger text sizes. Full version The ND filters calculator is free. One payment unlocks all calculators, the equipment catalog, the widget and the Apple Watch app. No subscription. Privacy No account, no ads, no tracking. Your equipment and saved calculators stay on your device. We collect usage statistics to improve the app; they are not linked to you, and we don't build profiles. Support Found a bug, have a suggestion, or can't find your gear? Contact us from Support in the app. Terms of Use: https://handsmade.info/manualexposure/terms.html

About

AstroExposure

Features
Read full description

AstroExposure is a simple, precise calculator for planning your night sky photography. Choose your calculation method, enter your focal length, aperture, and sensor specifications, and instantly get a recommended exposure time to minimize star trailing. The app supports the most widely used astrophotography rules, including the 500 Rule and the NPF Rule. You can also select a camera from the built-in database, adjust settings manually, and save your favorite configurations. Key features: • Astrophotography exposure time calculation • 500 Rule and NPF Rule support • Sensor or camera selection • Focal length, aperture, and pixel size settings • Favorites for quick access to your settings • Clean, fast, and distraction-free interface AstroExposure is designed for photographers who want to spend less time calculating and more time under the stars.

Screenshots

Manual Exposure4 screens
AstroExposure4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: AstroExposure at 17.6 against Manual Exposure's 26.0. On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price Ā· Rating Ā· Positive reviews Ā· Number of ratings Ā· Update frequency Ā· Ads Ā· In-app purchases Ā· Monetization Ā· Best chart rank Ā· Devices Ā· Requires iOS

CostPrice Ā· In-app purchases Ā· Ads Ā· Monetization

Both are free to download. Manual Exposure sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month and AstroExposure sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Scorecard1 real difference Ā· 7 level
Manual Exposure versus AstroExposure: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterManual ExposureAstroExposure
PriceFreeFree
Positive reviews42.3% of reviews—
Update frequencyEvery 2 months—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, Apple WatchiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS26.017.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size54 MB6 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGeorge KoultouridisPiriou Alain

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Manual Exposure

Subscriptions2
  • monthly14 Days trial$0.991 Month
  • yearly1 Month trial$8.991 Year
One-time1
  • Full version$5.99
3 purchases

AstroExposure

One-time3
  • Espresso under the stars ā˜•ļø$0.99
  • Latte under the stars ā˜•ļøšŸ„›$2.99
  • Coffee thermos under the stars šŸ«–$3.99

Questions

Is Manual Exposure free?
Manual Exposure is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is AstroExposure free?
AstroExposure is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Manual Exposure or AstroExposure have ads?
Neither Manual Exposure nor AstroExposure shows ads.

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