Comparison

element vs Cadrage Director's Viewfinder

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

Head to head
About

element

Control your color grading software remotely from your iPad. This app offers a virtual version of physical control panels, ideal for on-set work, training, or expanding your existing setup. It communicates with your software via WiFi and supports multi-touch gestures.

Highlights
  • Remote color grading control
  • Virtual Element control panels
  • On-set grading ideal
  • Portable grading solution
  • Multi-touch support
  • WiFi communication
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Control your colour grading software from your iPad with the element-Vs app. - Ideal for on-set grading. - Ideal as a portable grading panel. - Ideal for training. - Ideal for expanding your real Element panels. The element-Vs is a virtual version of the four panels that make up the Element control panel series by Tangent Wave Ltd. Every panel is presented in exactly the same layout as the real Element panels. All the controls are mapped on the element-Vs in exactly the same way as the real Element panels. What the controls do depends on the grading software you are using the panel with. You should refer to the control mappings for the Element panels provided by your software manufacturer. The element-Vs is fully multi-touch, so you can use different controls simultaneously. You do not need to own the real Element panels in order to use the element-Vs. You can use the element-Vs at the same time as your real Element panels. When you do this the controls will reflect any changes and information that happen to either real or virtual panels. If you do not own all the Element panels you can use the element-Vs to provide virtual versions of the panels you do not own. Communication with your grading software is via WiFi. NOTE: you will need to download and install the Tangent Hub software on your computer in order for your grading software to talk to the element-Vs app. Please read the manual which is available to download on our website - see the element-Vs product page. After you have used the sample version for 1 hour you will be reminded that it is the sample version and you should consider buying the app. You can then continue to use the app again the following day.

About

Cadrage Director's Viewfinder

This app provides precise framing previews for a vast array of professional camera and lens combinations. It helps filmmakers and photographers visualize shots, manage projects, and communicate their vision effectively during production.

Highlights
  • Accurate camera and lens previews
  • Custom frameline creation
  • Photo and video recording
  • Built-in gallery and project manager
  • PDF shotlist generation
  • Manual exposure, focus, and white balance control
  • 3-way color correction
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Cadrage - the director's viewfinder app used by some of the best directors and DPs worldwide. Cadrage allows you to line up your shots with precise framing previews of any professional camera/lens combination and make sure everybody is on the same page during preproduction and on set. ◈◈◈ Planning your shoot has never been easier. Download Cadrage now and see how it will change the way you work. ◈◈◈ FEATURES ● Accurate previews for thousands of cameras and lenses ● Save photos and record videos ● Add custom framelines in any aspect ratio ● Track the sun's path at your location for any date ● Built-in gallery & project manager ● Create neat PDF shotlists and directly upload to Dropbox or send via email ● Manually control exposure, focus & white balance ● Professional 3-way color correction to pre-visualize the final look ● Supports dual and triple camera devices ◈◈◈ Communicate your vision to your team. Download Cadrage now and get the most out of your shooting day. ◈◈◈ ◆ CINE CAMERAS ◆ ARRI Alexa 265, Alexa 35, Alexa 35 Xtreme, Alexa 65, Alexa Classic, Alexa LF, Alexa Mini, Alexa Mini LF, Alexa SXT, Alexa XT, Amira, D-21 Blackmagic Cinema Camera, Cinema Camera 6K, Micro Cinema Camera, Micro Studio Camera 4K, Pocket Cinema Camera, Pocket Cinema Camera 4K, Pocket Cinema Camera 6K, Pocket Cinema Camera 6K Pro, Production Camera 4K, PYXIS 12K, PYXIS 6K, Studio Camera 4K, Studio Camera 4K Plus, Studio Camera 4K Pro, Studio Camera HD, URSA, URSA (Broadcast), URSA 4.6K, URSA Cine 12K LF, URSA Cine 17K 65, URSA Mini 4.6K, URSA Mini 4K, URSA Mini Pro, URSA Mini Pro 12K, URSA Mini Pro 4.6K G2 Canon C100, C100 Mark II, C200, C300, C300 Mark II, C300 Mark III, C400, C50, C500, C500 Mark II, C70, C700, C80 DJI Ronin 4D (6K), Ronin 4D (8K), Zenmuse X7 Film 16mm, 35mm, 65mm/70mm, 8mm Freefly Systems Ember S2.5K, Ember S5K, Wave Fujifilm GFX Eterna 55 Generic Broadcast Kinefinity KineMAX, KineMini, Mavo, Mavo Edge, Mavo LF, TERRA Panasonic AF101, DC-BGH1, EVA1, HDX 900, VariCam 35, VariCam LT Panavision DXL, DXL2 Phantom 65, Flex, Flex4K, HD GOLD, Miro LC321S, v2640 ONYX, VEO4K-PL RED Dragon-X, Epic Dragon, Epic-W (Helium), Epic-X, Gemini, Komodo, Komodo-X, Monstro-VV, One, Ranger (Gemini), Ranger (Helium), Ranger (Monstro), Raven, Scarlet-W (Dragon), Scarlet-X, V-Raptor S35, V-Raptor VV, V-Raptor XE VV, V-Raptor XL S35, V-Raptor XL VV, Weapon (Dragon-VV), Weapon (Helium) Sony Burano, F23, F3, F35, F5, F55, F65, F900, FS100, FS5, FS5 Mark II, FS7, FS7 Mark II, FS700, FX2, FX3, FX30, FX6, FX9, HDC-1500R, Venice, Venice 2 (6K), Venice 2 (8K) Z CAM E2, E2-F6, E2-F8, E2-M4, E2-S6, E2-S6G, E2C, E2G ◆ PHOTO CAMERAS ◆ Canon 1000D/XS, 1D, 1D C, 1D Mark II, 1D Mark III, 1D Mark IV, 1D X, 1D X Mark II, 1D X Mark III, 1Ds, 1Ds Mark II, 1Ds Mark III, 200D/SL2, 20D, 30D, 40D, 450D/XSi, 500D/T1i, 50D, 550D/T2i, 5D, 5D Mark II, 5D Mark III, 5D Mark IV, 5DS, 600D/T3i, 60D, 650D/T4i, 6D, 6D Mark II, 700D/T5i, 70D, 750D/T6i, 760D/T6s, 77D, 7D, 7D Mark II, 800D/T7i, 80D, 850D/T8i, 90D, M50, R, R5, R6, Ra, RP Film (Still) 35mm (135), APS, Large Format, Medium Format, XPan Fujifilm GFX 100, GFX 100S, GFX 50R, GFX 50S, X-A7, X-H1, X-Pro2, X-Pro3, X-S10, X-T2, X-T200, X-T3, X-T4, X100V Hasselblad Digital Medium Format Leica CL, M10/M10-R, M8/M8.2, M9/M9-P, S, S2, SL, SL2, SL2-S Mamiya Leaf Credo Series Nikon D1, D100, D1H, D1x, D200, D2H, D2Hs, D2x, D3, D300, D3000, D300s, D3100, D3200, D3300, D3400, D3s, D3x, D4, D40, D40X, D4s, D50, D500, D5000, D5100, D5300, D5500, D5600, D60, D600, D610, D70, D700, D7000, D70s, D7100, D7200, D750, D7500, D80, D800, D810, D850, D90, DF, Z50, Z6, Z7 Olympus E Series Panasonic GH1, GH2, GH3, GH4, GH5, GH5S, S1, S1H, S1R, S5 Pentax 645D, 645Z, K Series Phase One Achromatic+, IQ Series, P 30+, P 40+, P 45+, P 65+ Sigma fp, fp L, SD1, SD15 Sony A290, A390, A450, A580, A6000, A6300, A6500, A6600, A7 III, A7C, A7r II, A7r III, A7r IV, A7s, A7s II, A7s III, A850, A9, A9 II, A900, A99, SLT-A37K, SLT-A57, SLT-A65, SLT-A77

Screenshots

Cadrage Director's Viewfinder4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: element at Free against Cadrage Director's Viewfinder's $19.99. element also leads on iOS requirement (8.0 vs 18.6). Cadrage Director's Viewfinder's advantage is rating (4.7 vs 2.9) and review sentiment (91% vs 50%). On ads, in-app purchases, monetization model 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

element is free to download; Cadrage Director's Viewfinder costs $19.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Cadrage Director's Viewfinder holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 2.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Cadrage Director's Viewfinder has 364 ratings behind it against 8, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 50% of element's written reviews are positive against 91% of Cadrage Director's Viewfinder's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

element ships an update every 35 months, Cadrage Director's Viewfinder monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 12, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
element versus Cadrage Director's Viewfinder: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterelementCadrage Director's Viewfinder
PriceFree — better$19.99
Rating2.9 (8 ratings)4.7 (364 ratings) — better
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews90.6% of reviews — better
Number of ratings8364 — better
Update frequencyEvery 35 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
Best chart rank—#26 — better
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS8.0 — better18.6
Further details — not scored
Size2 MB50 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTangent Wave Ltd.Cadrage GmbH

Customer experience

element

All ratings8 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral12.5%
Negative37.5%
Written reviews14 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral14.3%
Negative35.7%

Cadrage Director's Viewfinder

All ratings364 ratings
Positive93.7%
Neutral1.4%
Negative4.9%
Written reviews383 reviews
Positive90.6%
Neutral2.6%
Negative6.8%

Bugs and requests

element

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Cadrage Director's Viewfinder

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Camera shutter sometimes unresponsive
  • Occasional crashes or freezes
  • Metadata not always accurate (e.g. 'unknown camera')

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add manual camera and lens information input
  • Implement vertical/portrait mode
  • Add more composition overlays (e.g. golden ratio)
  • Improve project/photo management and organization
  • Implement camera settings controls (aperture, shutter, ISO)

In-app purchases

None

element

No in-app purchases

None

Cadrage Director's Viewfinder

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is element free?
element is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Cadrage Director's Viewfinder free?
Cadrage Director's Viewfinder costs $19.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, element or Cadrage Director's Viewfinder?
Cadrage Director's Viewfinder is rated higher. element averages 2.9 out of 5 from 8 ratings, while Cadrage Director's Viewfinder averages 4.7 from 364 ratings.
Do element or Cadrage Director's Viewfinder have ads?
Neither element nor Cadrage Director's Viewfinder shows ads.
Which is updated more often, element or Cadrage Director's Viewfinder?
element ships an update every 35 months, and Cadrage Director's Viewfinder monthly. Most recently, element was updated on September 12, 2026 and Cadrage Director's Viewfinder on September 25, 2026.

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