Comparison

iPhantom vs ARRI ECS

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

Head to head
About

iPhantom

Wirelessly control Phantom cameras from your iOS device. Access essential functions like recording, playback, and camera settings remotely. Offers a free version with limited features and unlocks full functionality via subscription.

Highlights
  • Wireless camera control
  • Record and trigger functions
  • Agile playback with clip saving
  • Adjust camera settings remotely
  • Send Telnet commands
  • IP detection and connection
Features
Read full description

iPhantom has been discontinued: Thank you all for over a decade of support for iPhantom. iPhantom has been discontinued, but fear not, we are happy to announce the release of: iPhantom-X https://apps.apple.com/us/app/iphantom-x/id6752670875 iPhantom Subscribers: iPhantom will be available for download until all licenses expire. iPhantom Licenses will activate iPhantom-X on your iOS/iPadOS device You may freely switch between iPhantom and iPhantom-X until your iPhantom license expires, at which time you will be asked to subscribe to iPhantom-X https://apps.apple.com/us/app/iphantom-x/id6752670875 ========================================= iPhantom by Joe Kocsis with Drew Lauer & Hollywood Special Ops This App is a game changer for all Phantom Camera operators and technicians. Wirelessly control any Phantom Camera by Vision Research through your iPhone or iOS device via a Wifi router through the camera's Ethernet port. Breath new life into older Phantom Cameras with amazing control like never before. From the "Record Page" Easily access necessary functions like Record, Trigger, Black Reference, OSD, view important camera information, and quickly connect to your camera. From the "Playback Page" Experience incredibly agile playback functionality, set in and out points and save clips. In the "Menu Page" Adjust the most commonly used settings like fps, shutter angle, white balance, etc... Send Telnet Commands from your phone via the built in Telnet Function Never use a PC to control a Phantom again! Download iPhantom for free to access a handful of functions and to test your connection. Unlock complete functionality through in-app purchase. Setup is easy. There are many palm-sized Wifi routers on the market that can be powered through USB, and even some with built in battery, that can be connected to your Phantom camera through its Ethernet port. USB power can be provided by a small portable USB battery or by using an adapter cable like PTap to USB. Just connect your iOS device to that Wifi signal, open iPhantom, and click "Detect IP" then click "Connect". See the built in Quick Start Guide or www.iPhatomApp.com for more information on setup. Visit us at www.iPhantomApp.com, where we will soon offer hardware accessories like preconfigured Wifi routers and short length Phantom to Ethernet cables. iPhantom should work with every Phantom Camera, but has been thoroughly tested with the following cameras: Flex4K, VEO4K, Flex2K, Miro, v10, v12.1, v2511, v2512, v642 Requirements: A Phantom Camera by Vision Research A Phantom Network Cable, aka Phantom to Ethernet Cable A Wifi Router A Power Source for Wifi Router An iOS Device with Wifi capability This app was not created or maintained by Vision Research. www.iPhantomApp.com www.HollywoodSpecialOps.com iPhantom is a Subscription Based App Current Offerings 1) Yearly Auto-Renewing Subscription 2) 14 Day Project License 3) 48 Project License • Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase • Auto Renewing Subscriptions automatically renew unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period • Account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, and identify the cost of the renewal • Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user's Account Settings after purchase Terms of Use http://www.iphantomapp.com/terms-of-use/

About

ARRI ECS

Features
Read full description

The “ECS Sync” iPhone app functions as a direct communication platform between ARRI and users of ARRI’s Electronic Control System (ECS). Adaptable to any camera and any lens, ARRI ECS tools include wireless hand units and digital controllers, intelligent lens motors, and distance measurers. With the ECS Sync app, users can receive up-to-the-minute software updates, news, and answers to frequently asked questions relevant to these products. In addition, the ECS Sync app enables Bluetooth file sharing between ECS devices and the app via the new Hi-5 hand unit, without the need of a bulky laptop on set. Software versions can be synchronized, and transferred from the app to the connected devices. Lens files and user settings can be archived in the app, or forwarded on, including to the user’s Google Drive or Drop Box. Lens files can also be displayed graphically, contributing to the app’s usefulness as a portable and intuitive filmmaking tool. Features: • Save and load lens tables and user setup files to/from the Hi-5 hand unit via Bluetooth • Create a personalized lens data archive in the ECS Sync app • Update the Hi-5 hand unit and connected LBUS devices via the app • Get the latest news about ARRI ECS products • Distribute lens tables and user setup files from the app via email, WhatsApp, Dropbox, Google Drive and more

Screenshots

iPhantom4 screens
ARRI ECS3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: ARRI ECS at none against iPhantom's 3. iPhantom's advantage is update cadence (every 5 months vs every 14 months) and iOS requirement (12.1 vs 15.6). On price, ads 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

Both are free to download. iPhantom sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $299.99 per year. ARRI ECS asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

iPhantom ships an update every 5 months, ARRI ECS every 14 months. The most recent releases landed on September 28, 2026 and September 19, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
iPhantom versus ARRI ECS: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameteriPhantomARRI ECS
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.2 (5 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings5 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 5 months — betterEvery 14 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationSubscription—
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS12.1 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size55 MB23 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJoe KocsisARRI Group

In-app purchases

3 purchases

iPhantom

Subscriptions1
  • Yearly Auto-Renew Subscription$299.991 Year
One-time2
  • 48 Hour Project License$44.99
  • 14 Day Project License$89.99
None

ARRI ECS

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is iPhantom free?
iPhantom is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is ARRI ECS free?
ARRI ECS is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do iPhantom or ARRI ECS have ads?
Neither iPhantom nor ARRI ECS shows ads.
Which is updated more often, iPhantom or ARRI ECS?
iPhantom ships an update every 5 months, and ARRI ECS every 14 months. Most recently, iPhantom was updated on September 28, 2026 and ARRI ECS on September 19, 2026.

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