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GearDex vs PhotoArsenal: which camera gear app?

PhotoArsenal is an iPhone-only app that keeps your gear on the device, with a deep compatibility checker and shooting calculators; Pro pricing is shown in the app. GearDex runs in any browser and on Mac, syncs to your account, and adds serial numbers, shoot planning, loans and team access. It's free for 25 items and $4 a month for unlimited.

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PhotoArsenal: iPhone only, data on the device
iPhone
GearDex: any phone or computer, synced
Web + Mac
GearDex Pro, unlimited items
$4/mo

Both know cameras. They differ on where your list lives.

PhotoArsenal and GearDex are both made for photographers, and both check which lens fits which body. PhotoArsenal is a personal iPhone app with no account. GearDex is an account you open from any device, built to grow into shoots, loans and a team.

Checked against each vendor's public pages.

Choose GearDex if

  • You use Android, a Mac, a PC or more than one device
  • You want serial numbers, receipts and an insurance export
  • You plan shoots, lend gear or share the kit with a team
  • You want your inventory backed up to an account

Choose PhotoArsenal if

  • You only use an iPhone and want your list kept on it
  • You want depth-of-field, ND and astro calculators in the same app
  • You want unlimited items free and don't need a team
  • You travel and want airline baggage limits next to your kit

GearDex and PhotoArsenal, feature by feature

CapabilityGearDexPhotoArsenal
PlatformsAny browser on phone, tablet or computer; Mac appiPhone only (iOS 18+); no iPad or Android
Where your data livesYour GearDex account, on every deviceOn your iPhone, with backup and restore
Free plan25 itemsUnlimited manual inventory, 1 backpack, 1 trip
Paid planPro $4/mo, Studio $19/moPhotoArsenal Pro, monthly or yearly (price shown in app)
Lens and body compatibilityIris checks mounts and filter fitArsenalGuard checks bodies, lenses, batteries and accessories
Serial numbersYesNot listed
Receipts, warranties and documentsProYes
Value trackingPortfolio value and trends (Pro)Market value vs. amount invested
Insurance reportProPDF
Shooting calculatorsFree tools on the siteDepth of field, ND filter, astro
Shoot planningShot lists, call sheets, packingTrips and backpacks
LoansScan check-out, signed agreements (Pro)Loan and rental tracking
Team access10 seats (Studio)No
CSV exportEvery planPro

Checked . Plans and features change; confirm on each vendor's site before you buy. Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we'll fix it.

Sources: PhotoArsenal on the App Store · photoarsenalapp.com · GearDex pricing

One list on every screen.

Open GearDex on your phone at the shoot, on the laptop at your desk and on the Mac app in the studio. It's the same account everywhere, so nothing lives on just one phone.

  • Works in any modern browser
  • Layouts built for phones, foldables and tablets
  • Mac app for Apple silicon and Intel

Paperwork that's ready for a claim.

Serial numbers, receipts, warranty cards and photos sit on each item, with alerts before coverage runs out. When you need it, the insurance export is one click.

  • Serial numbers on every item
  • Receipts and warranties attached
  • Alerts before a warranty lapses

Room to grow into a business.

Lend a kit to a second shooter with a signed agreement, book it for a shoot, and add your assistant as a teammate. PhotoArsenal is built for one person's iPhone.

  • Kit loans with signatures and reminders
  • Shoot plans that reserve the gear
  • Team seats on Studio

Every plan, side by side

GearDex

  • StarterUp to 25 items, QR labels, shoot plansFree
  • ProUnlimited items, documents, reports, 3 open loans$4/mo
  • StudioUnlimited loans, availability board, maintenance, 10 team seats$19/mo

Prices in USD. Annual plans: Pro $39/yr, Studio $179/yr.

PhotoArsenal

  • FreeUnlimited manual inventory, 1 backpack, 1 trip$0
  • PhotoArsenal ProMonthly or yearly subscriptionIn app

PhotoArsenal's App Store listing doesn't publish Pro prices; they're shown in the app.

Where PhotoArsenal is the better choice

  • Offline, no account

    Your list stays on your iPhone and works without a connection. GearDex needs an account and a connection.

  • Shooting calculators

    Depth-of-field, ND filter and astro calculators and an EXIF viewer live in the app. GearDex keeps its calculators on the website.

  • Travel extras

    Airline baggage limits, weather and sun data sit beside your trip list.

  • Unlimited items free

    The free tier has no item cap. GearDex's free plan holds 25 items.

Keep your iPhone list. Add everything else.

Export your list from PhotoArsenal Pro as a CSV, or start fresh with Smart Add and type each model name.

Start for freeSee pricing
  1. 01

    Export your list

    Download your items as a CSV or spreadsheet. Names, serial numbers, purchase dates and prices are all GearDex needs to start.

  2. 02

    Import it into GearDex

    CSV import has a template for each gear type and checks every row before anything is saved. Or type a model name and Smart Add fills in the specs.

  3. 03

    Print labels and go

    Print a sheet of QR labels, stick them on, and scan with your phone's camera. No scanner hardware needed.

Common questions

More questions? Visit support or contact us.

  • If you only use an iPhone and want your list kept offline on it, PhotoArsenal is a strong pick. If you use Android, a computer or more than one device, or you lend gear, plan shoots or work with a team, GearDex fits better. It's free for 25 items and $4 a month for unlimited.

  • No. PhotoArsenal's site says it's iPhone only, with no iPad or Android version planned. GearDex runs in the browser on Android, iPhone, tablets and computers.

  • The free tier includes unlimited manual inventory, one backpack and one trip. PhotoArsenal Pro is a monthly or yearly subscription; the App Store listing says prices are shown in the app. Checked October 9, 2026.

  • They're single-platform apps that keep data on your device. Camera Shelf (Apple devices) is free with a $9.99 Premium upgrade, LensLog is a free Android app, and iCamera Gear Manager is a $5.99 Apple app. GearDex is the option that works across platforms and adds loans, shoot planning and team access.

More comparisons

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Your whole kit, on every screen.

Join 900+ photographers, studios, and rental houses who already run their kit on GearDex.

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  • Free forever plan
  • No credit card
  • Import from CSV
  • Mac & web