Helicon Remote vs Focus Alpha
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Helicon Remote
Control your Nikon or Canon DSLR remotely for tethered shooting. Features include automated focus and exposure bracketing, time-lapse, and extra-long exposures. Supports Wi-Fi and USB connections for advanced photography workflows.
- Tethered shooting
- Camera remote control
- Automated focus bracketing
- Exposure bracketing
- Time lapse shooting
- Extra long exposures
- Live View
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Helicon Remote is a utility for tethered shooting and camera remote control compatible with all recent Nikon and Canon DSLR cameras. USB connection is supported on iOS 13.0 and newer. Only Wi-Fi connection is possible on iOS 12! Key features: - Wi-Fi support (for cameras with built-in Wi-Fi unit, as well as external Nikon WT and Canon WFT units) - Automated focus bracketing (focus bracketing, exposure bracketing and time lapse shooting can be combined in any way possible) - Extra long exposures - up to 32 minutes (all Canon cameras, Nikon D750 / Df / D600 / D610 / D800 / D810 / D4 / D4s / D7100 / D5200 / D5300) - Advanced exposure bracketing - Image review - Full screen Live View - Focus peaking (areas in sharp focus can be highlighted) - Live View noise averaging - Time lapse shooting - Video recording - Hyper focal distance and DOF calculator - Live histogram (gray/RGB) Compatible cameras Canon: - EOS R, Rp, R5, R6 - M6 Mk II, M50, M50 Mk II - 1D Mark III, 1D X Mark III, 1Ds Mark III, 1D Mark IV, 1D C, 1D X, 1D X Mark II; - 5D Mark II, 5D Mark III, 5D Mark IV, 5DS, 5DS R (5DSR); - 6D, 6D Mark II; - 7D, 7D Mark II; - 40D, 50D, 60D, 70D, 77D / 9000D, 80D, 90D; - 100D / SL1 / Kiss X7, 200D / SL2 / Kiss X8, 250D; - 450D / Rebel XSi / Kiss X2, 500D / Rebel T1i / Kiss X3, 550D / Rebel T2i / Kiss X4, 600D / Rebel T3i / Kiss X5, 650D / Rebel T4i / Kiss X6, 700D / T5i / Kiss X7i, 750D / Rebel T6i / Kiss x8i, 760D / Rebel T6s / EOS 8000D, 800D / Rebel T7i / Kiss X9i, 1000D / Rebel XS / Kiss F, 1100D / Rebel T3 / Kiss X50, 1200D / T5 / Kiss X70, 1300D / Rebel T6 / Kiss X80; - 2000D / Kiss X90 / T7 / 1500D; - 4000D / 3000D. Nikon: - Z5, Z6, Z6 II, Z7, Z7 II, Z50 - D3, D3s, D3x, D4, D4s, D5, Df, D90, D300/D300s, D500, D600, D610, D700, D750, D780, D800/D800e, D810, D810A, D850, D5000, D5100, D5200, D5300, D5500, D5600, D7000, D7100, D7200, D7500. Sony: A7 III, A7 RIII Compatible Wi-Fi cameras Canon: Cameras with built-in Wi-Fi unit: - EOS R, Rp, R5, R6, M6 Mk II, M50, M50 Mk II - 1D X Mark III, 5D Mark IV, 6D, 6D Mark II, 70D, 750D, 760D, 80D, 90D, 800D, 77D, 1300D, 200D, 2000D / Kiss X90 / T7 / 1500D. Cameras that support an external wireless adapter: 5D Mark II + WFT-4A, 7D + WFT-5A, 1D C / 1D X + WFT-6A/B, 5D Mark III + WFT-E7A, 1 DX Mark II + WFT-E8A, 5DS / 5DS R + WFT-E7A, 7D Mark II + WFT-E7A (ver. 2). Nikon: Cameras with built-in Wi-Fi unit: - Z5, Z6, Z6 II, Z7, Z7 II, Z50 - D5300, D5500, D7200, D780. Wi-fi connection requiring latest firmware: D500, D750, D850, D5600, D7500. Cameras that support an external wireless adapter: D5200 / D7100 + Wu-1a, D600 / D610 + Wu-1b, D4S / D800 / D800E / D4 / D7000 / D3X / D300 / D300S / D3S / D3 / D700 + WT-4A; D810 / D810A / D7200 / D750 / D4S / D800 / D800E / D7100 / D7000 / D4 + WT-5A, Df + WU-1a.
Focus Alpha
This app revolutionizes photography by offering remote focus bracketing and timelapse sequences for Sony cameras. Achieve stunning depth of field and gain unmatched control over your focus bracketing process directly from your smartphone.
- Remote focus bracketing
- Timelapse sequences
- Depth of field control
- Customizable focus steps
- Focus rewind and test modes
- DoF calculator
- Low power Bluetooth LE
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Struggling with blurry macro or landscape photos? Revolutionize your photography with Focus Alpha. This innovative app offers remote focus bracketing and stunning timelapse sequences, unlocking the full potential of your Sony camera. Unleash the hidden potential of your Sony camera and achieve breathtaking depth of field in every shot. Unmatched Focus Control: • Remote Bracketing: Capture a series of images with precise focus shifts, all from your smartphone. • Depth of Field Magic: Achieve stunning depth of field in every frame of your timelapse, no matter the subject. • Highly Customizable: Fine-tune focus steps, number of images, and timelapse settings for ultimate creative freedom. Professional Features: • Focus Rewind, Pre-Bracketing, Focus Test Mode, Bulb Time, Clapper Board with Auto Review, DoF Calculator, Reverse Direction: Take full control over your focus bracketing process. • Low Power Consumption: Bluetooth LE ensures long battery life for extended shooting. • Flash Compatibility: Internal or external flash with adjustable delay for perfect lighting. Compatible Cameras: ILCE-6100 (A6100), ILCE-6400 (A6400), ILCE-6600 (A6600), ILCE-6700 (A6700), ILCE-7M3 (A7 III), ILCE-7M4 (A7 IV), ILCE-7RM4A (A7R IV), ILCE-7C (A7C), ILCE-7CM2 (A7C II), ILCE-7CR (A7CR), ILCE-7RM3 (A7R III), ILCE-7RM4 (A7R IV), ILCE-7RM5 (A7R V), ILCE-7SM3 (A7S III), ILCE-9 (A9), ILCE-9M2 (A9 II), ILCE-9M3 (A9 III), ILCE-1 (A1), ILCE-1M2 (A1 II), ZV-E10, ZV-E10M2 (ZV-E10 II), ZV-E1, DSX-RX0M2 (RX0 II), DSC-RX100M7 (RX100 VII), DSC-RX1RM3 (RX1R III), ZV-1, ZV-1F, ZV-1A, ZV-1M2 (ZV-1 II), ILX-LR1, ILME-FX30 (FX30), ILME-FX2 (FX2), ILME-FX3 (FX3), ILME-FX3A (FX3A) Download Focus Alpha today and elevate your photography with stunning depth of field in every shot! This app is not endorsed by Sony. SONY is a trademark of Sony Corporation. Captured images can be merged with any stacking software.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Focus Alpha at 3.0 against Helicon Remote's 2.4. Focus Alpha also leads on monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases) and review sentiment (50% vs 30%). Helicon Remote's advantage is ratings volume (36 vs 2). On price, ads, in-app purchases 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. Helicon Remote sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Focus Alpha sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Focus Alpha holds the better App Store score, 3.0 against 2.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Helicon Remote has 36 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 30% of Helicon Remote's written reviews are positive against 50% of Focus Alpha's.
Helicon Remote ships an update every 3 months, Focus Alpha every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 18, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Helicon Remote | Focus Alpha |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 2.4 (36 ratings) | 3.0 (2 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 30.0% of reviews | 50.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 36 — better | 2 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Every 3 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | 12.2 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 19 MB | 14 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Helicon Soft s.r.o. | LEONARDO TAZZINI |
Customer experience
Helicon Remote
Focus Alpha
In-app purchases
Helicon Remote
- Lifetime license$47.99
Focus Alpha
- Focus Alpha Pro Upgrade$9.99
- Focus Alpha Standard$19.99
- Focus Alpha Pro$29.99
Questions
Is Helicon Remote free?
Is Focus Alpha free?
Which has better reviews, Helicon Remote or Focus Alpha?
Do Helicon Remote or Focus Alpha have ads?
Which is updated more often, Helicon Remote or Focus Alpha?
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