Ranking updated
Thermal camera apps: turning a phone into a thermal imager
A phone’s own camera does not see heat, so an app alone will not turn it into a thermal imager. You need a small thermal camera that plugs into the phone, and each maker has its own free app to run it. FLIR ONE works with FLIR ONE cameras and tracks the hottest and coldest spot, Seek Thermal works with Seek cameras and measures spot temperatures, and TopInfrared and Thermal Mobile run the phone thermal cameras of Topdon and Uni-Trend.
How we chose: the official apps of makers of plug-in thermal cameras for phones, free to download and sold by the maker itself, with features taken from each app’s store description. We leave out riflescope apps and sensor specifications.
Why an app alone is not enough
A thermal imager sees infrared heat, and a normal phone camera does not. Apps that promise thermal vision with only the phone camera show filters, not temperature. The real way is a small thermal camera that plugs into the phone, and its maker’s app shows the heat picture and measures temperatures. You can install each app below for free, but you see the thermal view only with that maker’s camera attached.
FLIR ONE: inspections at home and work
FLIR ONE runs the FLIR ONE series cameras for checking electrical panels, finding the source of heating and air conditioning faults and spotting hidden water damage. It captures thermal photos and videos, measures spot temperatures, lets you pick colour palettes and adjust the scale, and on Edge and Pro models tracks the hottest and coldest spot. You can add notes to photos, upload files to FLIR Ignite to make reports, and buy Inspection Guides that walk you through moisture, insulation and air leak checks. You can explore the app without the camera.
Seek Thermal: in darkness, fog and smoke
Seek Thermal is the official app for Seek thermal cameras. It detects, measures and records thermal energy from your phone or tablet, takes spot temperatures and full-scene thermal images, and works in daylight or total darkness, including through fog, smoke and light brush. You switch between viewing modes and colour palettes, and share or store photos and videos. Some advanced settings are not available on the entry-level Compact models.
TopInfrared and Thermal Mobile
TopInfrared is Topdon’s app for its iPhone thermal camera, aimed at detecting temperatures, checking insulation and examining circuit boards. Its listing includes Ukrainian. Thermal Mobile is Uni-Trend’s app for its smartphone thermal cameras: plug the camera in and the app shows the image in real time, then lets you analyse, edit and share it.
Which one to use
Pick the app that matches your camera: each one runs only its own maker’s hardware. For home and electrical inspections with reports, FLIR ONE. For use outdoors in darkness or smoke, Seek Thermal. For Topdon and Uni-Trend cameras, TopInfrared and Thermal Mobile. To measure a plot of land, see land area measuring apps, and to check a car, car diagnostics apps.
| App | Works with | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| FLIR ONEApp StoreGoogle Play | FLIR ONE series cameras | hottest and coldest spot tracking, spot temperatures, colour palettes, notes on photos, FLIR Ignite cloud |
| Seek ThermalApp StoreGoogle Play | Seek thermal cameras | spot temperatures, photos and video, works in darkness, fog and smoke, several viewing modes and palettes |
| TopInfraredApp Store | Topdon phone thermal camera | temperature detection, insulation and circuit board checks, iPhone |
| Thermal MobileApp Store | Uni-Trend phone thermal cameras | real-time image, analyse, edit and share images |
Frequently asked questions
Can I use my phone as a thermal imager without extra hardware?
No. A phone camera does not see heat. You need a thermal camera that plugs into the phone, run by its maker’s app, such as FLIR ONE or Seek Thermal.
Are thermal camera apps free?
FLIR ONE, Seek Thermal, TopInfrared and Thermal Mobile are free to download, but they show the thermal view only with the maker’s camera attached. FLIR ONE also sells Inspection Guides inside the app.
Which thermal camera app is in Ukrainian?
Of these four, only the App Store listing of TopInfrared includes Ukrainian.