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Head-to-head · Camera Apps

Cheese vs Varlens

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score Cheese #4 in Camera Apps 8.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 4 features Visit GNOME
Varlens #6 in Camera Apps 7.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 4 features Visit Varlens

Cheese leads on 0 checks, Varlens on 0, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreCheese · 8.4/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresVarlens · 3 of 4

Cheese scores higher on our rubric for camera apps: 8.4 against 7.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #6.

Cheese is the better fit for linux users wanting a free webcam camera. Varlens is the better fit for mobile users wanting advanced capture plus AI editing.

  • Cheese fits best

    Linux users wanting a free webcam camera

  • Varlens fits best

    Mobile users wanting advanced capture plus AI editing

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Cheese 8.4/10 Visit ↗ Varlens 7.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.4 7.8
Ranking #4 in Camera Apps #6 in Camera Apps
Best for Linux users wanting a free webcam camera Mobile users wanting advanced capture plus AI editing
Pricing model Free Free plan + paid
Starting price Free plan —
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Mobile
Platforms Linux iOS, Android
Support Community, Docs Email
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business
Features Cheese 0/4 · Varlens 3/4
Manual camera controls Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Video capture Not checked yet ✓ (best)
RAW photo capture Not checked yet ✓ (best)
External camera support Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Platforms linux ios, android
Max video resolution Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Captures webcam photos and video with timers and burst mode
  • Offers visual effects plus brightness, contrast and resolution controls
  • Can switch between installed webcams and share captured media
  • Manual controls cover ISO, shutter, exposure, white balance, focus and metering.
  • RAW/ProRAW capture, LUT imports and non-destructive editing support detailed workflows.
  • Seven shooting modes, slow motion video and album organization extend beyond capture.
Cons
  • Limited to Linux desktop use
  • No virtual camera or background tools
  • GNOME replaced it as its core camera app with Snapshot in GNOME 45
  • Android offers five listed shooting modes versus seven on iOS.
  • Maximum slow-motion capture is listed as 120 fps on Android versus 240 fps on iOS.
  • The app is mobile-only, with email as the listed support channel.
Our verdict

Cheese is a free, open-source webcam application for Linux desktops, aimed at people who want straightforward photo and video capture from an installed webcam. It covers everyday capture needs with countdown photography, configurable burst…

Read the review →

Varlens combines a phone camera, video recorder, photo editor and album organizer for mobile photographers who want more control than a basic camera app. It runs on iPhone, iPad and Android, and supports both automatic and manual shooting.…

Read the review →
  1. CheeseCamera Apps 8.4Free plan
  2. VarlensCamera Apps 7.8Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Cheese — where it wins

    • Captures webcam photos and video with timers and burst mode
    • Offers visual effects plus brightness, contrast and resolution controls
    • Can switch between installed webcams and share captured media

    Where it doesn't

    • Limited to Linux desktop use
    • No virtual camera or background tools
    • GNOME replaced it as its core camera app with Snapshot in GNOME 45

  • Varlens — where it wins

    • Manual controls cover ISO, shutter, exposure, white balance, focus and metering.
    • RAW/ProRAW capture, LUT imports and non-destructive editing support detailed workflows.
    • Seven shooting modes, slow motion video and album organization extend beyond capture.

    Where it doesn't

    • Android offers five listed shooting modes versus seven on iOS.
    • Maximum slow-motion capture is listed as 120 fps on Android versus 240 fps on iOS.
    • The app is mobile-only, with email as the listed support channel.
  • Cheese8.4/10 · Free plan

    A free, open-source webcam app with practical capture tools and a focused feature set.

    Visit GNOMEFull verdict →
  • Varlens7.8/10 · Free plan

    A mobile camera suite with manual capture, RAW workflows, AI editing and video tools.

    Visit VarlensFull verdict →

More comparisons

All camera apps comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update