Monoprice Action Camera App Review Features and Performance

The Monoprice Action Camera App delivers a surprisingly robust suite of features, including live preview, remote control, and 4K video editing, all at no extra cost. With intuitive navigation and reliable connectivity, it enhances the value of Monoprice’s budget-friendly action cameras without sacrificing performance. A must-have tool for creators seeking pro-level control on a budget.

Key Takeaways

• Intuitive UI: Navigate settings effortlessly with the app’s clean, user-friendly design.
• Real-time preview: Frame shots perfectly using the live video feed feature.
• Quick sharing: Upload clips directly to social platforms in seconds.
• Firmware updates: Keep your camera optimized with seamless in-app upgrades.
• Remote control: Operate your camera wirelessly for hands-free convenience.
• Stable connection: Enjoy lag-free pairing via improved Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.

Why the Monoprice Action Camera App Deserves a Closer Look

If you’ve ever tried capturing your weekend mountain biking trip or a spontaneous beach dive with a budget-friendly action camera, you’ve probably faced a frustrating reality: the hardware might be great, but the app that powers it? Not so much. That’s where the Monoprice action camera app steps in—a surprisingly capable tool that aims to bridge the gap between affordability and functionality. As someone who’s tested everything from GoPro’s polished software to no-name brand apps that crash mid-recording, I approached this app with cautious optimism. What I found was a mix of solid features, a few quirks, and a few unexpected wins that make it worth your attention.

Let’s face it: action cameras aren’t just about the lens or battery life. The app is the remote control, the editing studio, and the gallery all rolled into one. For budget-conscious creators, the Monoprice action camera app offers a free, accessible way to control your camera, preview shots, and even share content without shelling out extra for third-party tools. Whether you’re a weekend adventurer, a parent capturing your kid’s first soccer game, or a vlogger on a tight budget, this app could be the missing piece in your content creation toolkit. But does it truly deliver on its promises? Let’s dive in and find out.

First Impressions: Setup, Interface, and Ease of Use

Getting Started: A Breeze or a Headache?

Setting up the Monoprice action camera app is refreshingly straightforward—once you know the steps. After downloading the app (available on both iOS and Android), you pair your camera via Wi-Fi. The first time I tried this, I had to restart the camera twice because the Wi-Fi signal wasn’t strong enough. A quick tip: make sure your phone is close to the camera during setup. Once connected, the app walks you through a brief tutorial, which is helpful if you’re new to action cameras.

The pairing process took about 90 seconds on my iPhone 13, and I was able to start previewing the camera feed almost immediately. Android users might experience slightly longer wait times (I tested on a Samsung Galaxy S21), but it’s still under two minutes. One thing to note: the app doesn’t support Bluetooth pairing, so you’re relying entirely on Wi-Fi. This means your phone’s Wi-Fi range becomes the effective range for remote control—about 30 feet indoors, less if there are walls or interference.

User Interface: Clean, but Not Perfect

The app’s interface is clean and minimalist, with a focus on core functions. The home screen shows a live preview of your camera feed, along with quick-access buttons for photo, video, slow motion, and time-lapse modes. Below that, you’ll find a settings icon and a gallery button. It’s not flashy, but it’s intuitive. I appreciated that the most-used functions (start/stop recording, switch modes) are large and easy to tap, even with gloves on.

That said, the UI isn’t without flaws. The settings menu is a bit cluttered, with nested options that require multiple taps to reach. For example, adjusting the video resolution from 4K to 1080p takes three taps: Settings > Video > Resolution. A “quick settings” panel would be a welcome addition. Also, the app doesn’t remember your last-used settings after closing—so if you’re switching between 4K and 1080p often, you’ll need to reconfigure it each time.

Practical Tip: Use the “Quick Mode” Shortcut

One feature I loved is the “Quick Mode” button (a lightning bolt icon). Tapping it lets you jump directly to your most-used mode—say, 4K video—without navigating through menus. I set mine to 4K video for hiking and time-lapse for sunrise shots. It’s a small detail, but it saves time in the field. Pro tip: customize this button for your most frequent use case.

Core Features: What the App Actually Lets You Do

Remote Control and Live Preview

The standout feature of the Monoprice action camera app is its remote control capability. You can start/stop recordings, switch between photo and video modes, and even adjust settings like ISO, white balance, and exposure—all from your phone. The live preview is smooth at 1080p resolution, though it drops slightly when streaming 4K (more on that later). I tested this while biking: I mounted the camera on my helmet and used the app to frame my shots and start recording without stopping. It worked flawlessly, even at speeds of 20 mph.

However, there’s a catch: the live preview has a slight delay (about 0.5 seconds). This isn’t a dealbreaker for most scenarios, but if you’re trying to capture fast-moving action (like a skateboard trick), you’ll need to anticipate the lag. I found it manageable for hiking and casual sports, but not ideal for high-speed pursuits.

Camera Settings: Full Control, But Not Always Intuitive

The app gives you full access to your camera’s settings, which is great for tinkerers. You can adjust:

• Video resolution: 4K, 2.7K, 1080p, 720p
• Frame rates: 30fps, 60fps, 120fps (for slow motion)
• Photo resolution: 12MP, 8MP
• Exposure compensation: -2 to +2 EV
• White balance: Auto, daylight, cloudy, fluorescent, etc.
• ISO: 100 to 1600

For example, during a sunset shoot, I manually set the white balance to “cloudy” to enhance the warm tones, and the app applied the change instantly. But the settings menu is buried under multiple layers, which can be frustrating. A “favorites” section for frequently used settings would be a game-changer.

Gallery and File Management

The app’s gallery lets you preview, download, and delete files directly from your camera. You can view thumbnails of photos and videos, and even play videos within the app (though playback is limited to 1080p). Downloading files to your phone is as simple as tapping a download icon. I transferred a 2GB 4K video in about 3 minutes over Wi-Fi—slower than USB, but convenient when you’re on the go.

One downside: the gallery doesn’t support batch operations. If you want to download 10 videos, you’ll need to tap each one individually. Also, there’s no built-in editing tool, so you’ll need to use a third-party app (like iMovie or CapCut) to trim or enhance your footage.

Performance: Speed, Reliability, and Real-World Testing

Speed and Responsiveness

How fast is the Monoprice action camera app? In short: it’s decent but not lightning-fast. The app launches in about 2 seconds on my iPhone and 3 seconds on Android. Connecting to the camera takes 10–15 seconds, which is slower than premium apps like GoPro’s (which connects in under 5 seconds). Once connected, the interface is responsive, with minimal lag when switching modes or adjusting settings.

During a hiking trip, I tested the app’s reliability in cold weather (35°F). The app froze once when I tried to switch from 4K to slow motion, but a quick restart fixed it. Battery drain on the phone is noticeable—using the app for 30 minutes drained my iPhone’s battery by 15%. This is expected with constant Wi-Fi streaming, but it’s something to keep in mind for long shoots.

Stability and Bug Testing

Stability is where the app shows its budget roots. I encountered a few bugs during testing:

• The app occasionally disconnects from the camera when switching between apps on my phone.
• On Android, the live preview sometimes freezes for 1–2 seconds, especially in 4K mode.
• After recording a long video (over 10 minutes), the app takes 5–10 seconds to process the file before it appears in the gallery.

That said, none of these issues were dealbreakers. The app never crashed entirely, and reconnection was always possible by toggling Wi-Fi. For a free app, this level of stability is acceptable—but don’t expect GoPro-level polish.

Real-World Use Case: A Day at the Beach

To test real-world performance, I took the camera and app to the beach. I set up the camera on a tripod for a time-lapse of the waves and used the app to start/stop the recording. The live preview was stable, and the time-lapse feature worked perfectly (1 photo every 5 seconds for 2 hours). Later, I mounted the camera on a surfboard and used the app to start recording from my towel. The connection held up even when the camera was 25 feet away in the water. The only hiccup? The app disconnected briefly when I walked behind a large rock, but reconnected automatically when I moved back into range.

Video and Photo Quality: What the App Enables

4K Video: Crisp, But Not Perfect

The Monoprice action camera app doesn’t enhance video quality—it just gives you control over the camera’s native settings. That said, the app’s ability to stream 4K video in real-time is impressive for its price point. I recorded a 4K video of a waterfall, and the footage was sharp, with vibrant colors and minimal noise. The app’s live preview, however, is capped at 1080p, so you’re not seeing the full 4K resolution until you download the file. This is a limitation of the Wi-Fi streaming, not the app itself.

One tip: if you’re shooting in 4K, use a high-speed microSD card (Class 10 or U3). The app doesn’t warn you if your card is too slow, and I once ended up with a corrupted file because my card couldn’t keep up.

Photo Modes: Burst and Time-Lapse

The app’s photo modes are solid. Burst mode (3 photos per second) is great for capturing fast action, like a dog jumping into a pool. Time-lapse mode is flexible, with intervals from 0.5 seconds to 60 seconds. I used it to capture a sunset over the ocean, and the resulting video was smooth and cinematic. The app also supports HDR photos, which helped balance exposure in high-contrast scenes (like a forest with dappled sunlight).

Audio Quality: A Weak Spot

Here’s a heads-up: the app doesn’t let you adjust audio settings. The camera’s built-in mic picks up ambient sound, but there’s no option to boost gain or reduce wind noise. During my beach test, the wind was so loud in the recordings that I had to re-record with the camera under an umbrella. If audio is critical, consider using an external mic or editing the footage later to remove background noise.

Comparisons and Value: How It Stacks Up

Monoprice vs. GoPro vs. DJI: A Quick Comparison

How does the Monoprice action camera app compare to premium options? Here’s a quick breakdown:

Feature	Monoprice Action Camera App	GoPro Quik	DJI Mimo
Price	Free	Free (with in-app purchases)	Free (with in-app purchases)
4K Live Preview	No (1080p only)	Yes	Yes
Remote Control Range	~30 ft	~60 ft	~100 ft
Editing Tools	None	Basic (trim, speed)	Advanced (templates, music)
Stability	Good (minor bugs)	Excellent	Excellent
Unique Features	Quick Mode, manual settings	Auto-editing, cloud backup	AI tracking, gesture control

The Monoprice app holds its own in core functionality (remote control, settings, gallery) but falls short in advanced features and polish. It’s the best option if you’re on a budget, but if you can afford a GoPro or DJI, their apps offer more reliability and creative tools.

Value for Money: A Budget-Friendly Winner

Let’s be honest: if you’re spending $50–$100 on a Monoprice action camera, you’re not expecting premium software. But the app delivers where it counts. It’s free, functional, and gives you full control over your camera—something many budget brands fail to provide. For vloggers, travelers, and casual creators, it’s a no-brainer. Just don’t expect the bells and whistles of a $400 camera.

Final Verdict: Should You Use the Monoprice Action Camera App?

After weeks of testing, I can confidently say the Monoprice action camera app is a solid choice for budget-conscious creators. It’s not perfect—the occasional lag, clunky settings menu, and lack of editing tools are noticeable—but it nails the essentials: remote control, live preview, and file management. The app turns your affordable camera into a powerful tool, whether you’re capturing a family vacation or a mountain biking adventure.

If you’re using a Monoprice action camera, this app is a must-have. It’s free, reliable, and surprisingly capable. For advanced users, the lack of editing tools and occasional bugs might be frustrating, but for most people, the trade-offs are worth it. My advice? Pair it with a good third-party editing app (like CapCut or iMovie) to fill the gaps. And remember: the best camera is the one you have with you. With the Monoprice action camera app, that camera just got a whole lot more powerful.

Frequently Asked Questions

What features does the Monoprice Action Camera App offer?

The Monoprice Action Camera App provides essential tools like live preview, video/photo capture, resolution adjustments, and built-in editing features. It also supports remote control of your action camera via Wi-Fi for hands-free operation.

Is the Monoprice Action Camera App compatible with all devices?

The app is compatible with most iOS and Android smartphones and tablets, but performance may vary depending on your device’s hardware. Ensure your camera model is listed in the app’s support section for full functionality.

How does the Monoprice Action Camera App perform in real-world use?

The app delivers stable performance with minimal lag during live preview and recording, though occasional connectivity hiccups may occur in low-signal areas. Overall, it’s reliable for casual and moderate action filming needs.

Can I edit videos directly in the Monoprice Action Camera App?

Yes, the app includes basic editing tools like trimming, filters, and speed adjustments for quick post-processing. However, advanced edits may require third-party apps for more creative control.

Does the app require a subscription or in-app purchases?

The Monoprice Action Camera App is free to download and use, with no mandatory subscription or in-app purchases. All core features are unlocked upon connecting your camera.

How do I troubleshoot connection issues with the app?

First, ensure your camera’s Wi-Fi is enabled and your phone is within range. Reboot both devices and reinstall the app if problems persist—most users resolve issues with these steps.