MotionStill vs its rivals

Side-by-side comparison against MotionStill's closest competitors — identity, store metrics, ratings & sentiment, and strategic intel.

MotionStill
This App
Stories AR
Contender
Dual Lens
Contender
Core Identity
DeveloperHueflip GmbHRetrica, Inc.STORIES AR LLCPawel ChmielJiYeon NohJohn ArcherBen McCarthyDanijel CvetkovicAsinine Games IncThanagorn Marukcanon
CategoryPhoto & VideoPhoto & VideoPhoto & VideoPhoto & VideoPhoto & VideoPhoto & VideoPhoto & VideoPhoto & VideoEntertainmentPhoto & Video
PlatformiOSiOS, AndroidiOS, AndroidiOSiOSiOSiOS, AndroidiOSiOSiOS
Store Metrics
Rating0.0 / 54.7 / 52.9 / 55.0 / 53.3 / 55.0 / 55.0 / 53.5 / 54.2 / 55.0 / 5
Ratings Count033,667721713251
PriceFreeFreeFree$4.99$0.99$4.99FreeFree$0.99Free
Release DateDec 12, 2025Nov 15, 2012Aug 6, 2019Sep 25, 2019Jul 7, 2021Mar 27, 2026Jun 29, 2025Apr 29, 2018Mar 9, 2013Mar 1, 2016
Last UpdatedMar 23, 2026May 15, 2026Jun 6, 2025Apr 5, 2023Apr 28, 2026Mar 29, 2026Nov 27, 2025Apr 29, 2018Mar 7, 2026Mar 1, 2016
Sentiment & Reviews
Sentiment-negative--------
Score-25/100--------
Praises-
  • Long-term users appreciate the nostalgic value of the original photo editing experience
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Complaints-
  • Aggressive paywall implementation restricts access to previously free core editing features
  • Interface redesign complicates navigation and removes intuitive filter selection workflows
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Requests-
  • Option to revert to the legacy interface and filter library for improved usability
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Strategic Intel
Strengths
  • Custom motion rendering engine enables tripod-free long exposure
  • Raw sensor data output attracts photography purists
  • Manual masking provides precise artistic control
  • Real-time analog preview mechanism sustains daily active habit
  • 370 million lifetime user base provides massive top-of-funnel reach
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  • Paid-gate model captures one-time conversion revenue without subscription friction
  • Simplified interface reduces barrier to entry for casual 8K users
  • Shared subscription status with Obscura Camera creates a unified professional workflow
  • Granular manual control caters to high-end mobile photographers
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  • Niche holiday focus reduces user friction for seasonal editing
  • Low-complexity interface allows for rapid photo-bombing
  • Distraction-free interface attracts users overwhelmed by feature-bloat
  • Completely free model removes subscription friction
  • Focused manual toolset provides immediate utility
Weaknesses
  • Zero monetization model limits long-term development
  • Lack of social sharing features restricts organic growth
  • No cloud-save functionality for projects
  • 0.96★ Android-iOS rating gap indicates poor performance parity
  • Subscription-gated legacy features drive high churn among long-term users
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  • Software-upscaling approach lacks the native quality of hardware-native capture
  • iPad incompatibility restricts reach for mobile-editing workflows
  • Freemium model gates core save/export functionality
  • Lack of specialized portrait/beauty tools compared to category contenders
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  • Manual erasing workflow is high-friction compared to AI-extraction tools
  • No feature updates since 2013
  • No social-sharing integration
  • Zero revenue generation limits development capacity
  • Lack of AI-assisted editing workflows
  • No cloud-save functionality
Pricingfreefreemiumfreemiumpaidfreemiumpaidfreemiumfreepaidfree
MomentumMaintenanceActiveMaintenanceZombieIntense-Maintenance---
Update Cadence1 versions, 1 majors/6mo5 versions, 4 majors/6mo, ~13d avg5 versions5 versions5 versions-2 versions, ~83d avg---

Compare MotionStill head-to-head

Disclosure: Independent intel to help mobile builders succeed.

AI-powered analysis with editorial review, built from publicly available sources. Marlvel.ai is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by MotionStill, its developer, the app publisher, Apple, or Google Play. All trademarks, logos, and screenshots referenced remain the property of their respective owners.

Data licensed under CC-BY-NC 4.0