Obscura — Pro Camera

Name: Obscura — Pro Camera
Rating: 4 (264 reviews)
Author: Ben McCarthy

By: Ben McCarthy App

Manual Controls, ProRAW, Video

Overview

Version:

2026.5

Last updated: 2026-09-18

Ranking

#99,596 ▼ 141

Overall

Features & Capabilities

Obscura — Pro Camera combines a refined, intuitive design with powerful photography controls. Adjust exposure, focus, white balance, ISO, shutter speed, and flash, while capturing photos, video, Live Photos, and portraits in RAW, ProRAW, HEIC, or JPEG formats on supported devices.

Use live and custom filters, aspect ratios, grids, a spirit level, histogram, focus peaking, focus loupe, and exposure clipping to perfect each shot. Obscura also includes an integrated photo library for browsing, rating, editing, and sharing, with premium features available through the Obscura Ultra subscription.

User Growth & Download Statistics

App Photography Design

By:

Ben McCarthy

Rating:

4.00

(264)

Version:

2026.5 Last updated: 2026-09-18

Version code:

891588025

Creation date:

2022-02-16

Compatible devices:

Size:

173.01MB

URLs:

Website ,Privacy policy

Full description:

Source:

Apple Apps Store

Data ingested on:

2026-09-28

Compare stats and ranking:

Contact the developer

Chrome-Stats does not own this Apple app. Please use these information below to contact the Apple app developer.

Developed by:: Ben McCarthy
Apple Apps Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/obscura-pro-camera/id1579306989
Website:: https://obscura.camera

User Reviews

Users praise Obscura for DSLR-like controls, a clean, learnable interface, and strong educational value. However, recurring drawbacks center on pricing and licensing: heavy paywalls and essential features locked behind subscriptions, and disputes over lifetime licenses versus ongoing subscriptions. Stability issues such as lag, freezes, and crashes hurt reliability. While some welcome a one-time purchase option, many feel the current pricing and gating diminish the app’s value.

Pros

DSLR-like comprehensive manual controls and advanced shooting features
Clean, intuitive, and well-organized interface that’s easy to learn
Strong educational value for teaching photography and classroom workshops
Initial availability of a lifetime/one-time purchase option (valued by some users)

Cons

Heavy paywall and subscription gating of core features (e.g., access to camera controls and RAW) with no accessible free tier
Pricing model criticized as expensive and opaque (subscription-heavy; lifecycle of lifetime licenses disputed)
Stability and reliability issues including lag, freezes, crashes, and black screens affecting usability
Licensing changes after purchase (lifetime licenses vs ongoing subscription) leading to user frustration

Recent reviews

I’m extremely disappointed to open an app that I’ve been able to use freely, only to now be presented with a subscription paywall for features that were previously available without having to pay. I completely understand that independent developers need to earn money and that premium features can be a reasonable way to support an app. However, taking functionality that existing users have been accustomed to using for free and suddenly requiring a subscription for it feels very different. The $24.99/year price isn’t necessarily outrageous, but that’s not really the point. It’s the feeling of opening an app expecting the experience you’ve always had and discovering that you’re now being asked to pay to continue using features you already had access to. There is at least an option to continue with limited features, but that doesn’t make the change any less disappointing. I would have much preferred a more transparent transition or having existing functionality remain available to current users while introducing new premium features for subscribers. I really wanted to continue enjoying this app, but being unexpectedly pushed toward a subscription has definitely changed how I feel about it. 😕