# Codecam vs Photon Camera

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Codecam at none against Photon Camera's 3. Codecam also leads on review sentiment (50% vs 24%) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 26.0). On price, rating, ratings volume and update cadence there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Photon Camera sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Codecam asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.0 for Codecam against 4.0 for Photon Camera. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 24 and 64 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 50% of Codecam's written reviews are positive against 24% of Photon Camera's.

Codecam ships an update monthly, Photon Camera every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 26, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Codecam | Photon Camera |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.0 (24 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/codecam/id906630240/reviews)** | [4.0 (64 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/photon-camera/id1439310090/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 24 | **64** |
| Positive reviews | **50.0% of reviews** | 23.8% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Monthly | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 19 MB | 59 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 26.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Laszlo Varadi](https://appshunter.io/developer/371911266) | [LateNiteSoft S.L.](https://appshunter.io/developer/283292600) |

## What reviewers say

### Codecam

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/codecam/id906630240)

Unlock the full potential of your iPhone camera with advanced manual controls for both photos and videos. Adjust settings like shutter speed, ISO, white balance, and focus for professional-quality results. Explore various compression and frame rate options for video recording.

**Highlights:** Manual shutter speed and ISO, Manual white balance (temperature, tint), Manual focus control, Adjustable video compression and frame rates, Video zoom with focal length display, Video stabilization options

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Photon Camera

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/photon-camera/id1439310090)

Transform your iPhone into a professional camera with full manual controls. Achieve DSLR-quality photos with advanced tools like focus peaking, live exposure, and RAW capture. Take creative control with AI processing options and a minimalist interface.

**Highlights:** Full manual control (ISO, shutter speed, white balance), Focus peaking and focus loupe, Live exposure and histogram, RAW, ProRAW, HEIF, and JPEG capture, Adjustable AI processing (Process Control), Minimalist and intuitive interface, Image browser with photo details

**Features:** Family Sharing, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly | $3.99 | per month |
| Yearly | $19.99 | per year |
| One-time purchase | $39.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Great camera controls
- 👍 Intuitive interface
- 🔋 Efficient battery usage
- 💡 Direct USB storage option
- 🚀 Fast and responsive

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Crashes and bugs
- 💰 Expensive subscription model
- 🔒 Lack of transparency around app ownership
- 🔒 Concerns about developer trustworthiness
- 🔍 Limited zoom and lens options

**Reported bugs**

- Manual mode crashes
- Inability to access external storage
- Incompatibility with certain devices
- Unreliable photo saving and syncing

**Requested features**

- Bracketed HDR mode
- Customizable white balance controls
- Landscape orientation support
- Macro mode
- Integration with other photo apps


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Codecam free?

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

### Is Photon Camera free?

Photon Camera is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Codecam or Photon Camera?

Codecam is rated higher. Codecam averages 4.0 out of 5 from 24 ratings, while Photon Camera averages 4.0 from 64 ratings.

### Do Codecam or Photon Camera have ads?

Neither Codecam nor Photon Camera shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Codecam or Photon Camera?

Codecam ships an update monthly, and Photon Camera every 3 weeks. Most recently, Codecam was updated on September 26, 2026 and Photon Camera on October 6, 2026.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*