When you're a location scout, time is always working against you. Every hour spent stuck in traffic, juggling paperwork, or losing track of location details is an hour you can’t get back. That’s why having the right apps can be a total game-changer. From helping you reach locations faster to conducting more efficient location recces and keeping everything organised in one place, our list of essential apps are designed to make your life easier and your scouting process smoother.
£10.99
PhotoPills is one of the most powerful tools for planning. With this app, you can easily track the position of the sun, moon, and stars at any time of day, letting you know exactly how natural light will fall on your locations. You can use the augmented reality (AR) feature to visualise how light will move across a space, helping you choose the best time to recommend a location for filming.
You can even plan complex shots, like tracking or time-lapse sequences, directly in the app, saving you from carrying around extra gear. So whether you’re scouting a rural farm location or a medieval city, you can have the confidence you'll be capturing your locations at its best.
Other popular sun tracking apps include Sun Seeker and Sun Tracker.
£19.99
Cadrage is one of the best viewfinder apps for iPhone and iPad. You simply choose your camera and lens setup from its extensive database, and your phone instantly shows you a precise framing preview of what your real camera would see. This saves you from guesswork and lets you line up your cinematic shots perfectly right from your first scout. You can add notes, create detailed shot lists directly within the app, ensuring that everyone, from the director to the DP, stays on the same page throughout preproduction.
Another popular view finding option for Android users is Artemis Pro.
Free with your SuperScout subscription
SuperScout is your private location database, designed to hold all your scouting photos and notes in one secure place. And now with the free iPhone companion app, you can avoid the tedious end-of-day task of manually transferring photos, notes, and addresses from different sources.
The app is built for speed and simplicity. Create new location entries using GPS data or information embedded in existing photos, capture new images directly through the app, add notes to your photos, and then upload everything once you have a good internet connection. It’s designed to work offline, making it perfect for scouting in remote areas. Plus, if you grant full photo library access, it will automatically save all your scouting images to your camera roll for backup.
SuperScout is your own private location library – upload locations in minutes, tag them with ai in seconds, then search and share with your team
Free
If you need to find a filming location that is something truly unique for your next shoot, Atlas Obscura is the perfect companion. This app is a treasure trove of strange, beautiful, and often overlooked locations that can add major character to your projects.
Whether you’re scouting for a hidden woodland, abandoned factory, or a quirky roadside monument, Atlas Obscura helps you discover places you might never have found on your own. It’s a great way to spark creative ideas and keep innovating.
£24.99
Lighting can make or break a location, and Cine Meter II puts professional-level light and colour checking right in your hand. With this app, you can quickly measure light levels, exposure, and colour temperature without needing to carry a full meter kit.
This means you can instantly tell whether a location’s existing light will work for your shoot, or if additional setups will be needed. Cine Meter II helps you make smart, fast decisions on-site, keeping your scouting efficient and your notes production-ready.
Free
When your scouting schedule includes multiple cities, flights, and hotel stays, TripIt becomes an essential travel organiser. Forward your confirmation emails to create a master itinerary with all your flights, car rentals, hotel bookings, and meeting times in the app.
No more scrambling through emails at the rental car counter or missing a flight because you mixed up time zones. You can also sync your plans to your calendar and share your itineraries with anyone you choose. TripIt keeps you on track, reduces stress, and frees up your mind to focus on the creative side of your scouting.
Free
Of course everyone already knows this app, but it's still a good one! Before you even hit the road, Google Maps and Street View let you do a virtual scout of potential locations, saving you huge amounts of time. You can plot out your travel routes, check traffic patterns, explore street-level views, and even spot parking options before you arrive. These tools are perfect for pre-scouting city locations or mapping out a full day’s worth of visits. With Google Maps and Street View, you get a major head start, helping you plan smarter and avoid unnecessary surprises on the day.
In a job where every minute counts, having the right apps can make all the difference. Whether you’re finding the perfect hidden location, organising your photos, checking lighting conditions, or simply getting from place to place, these tools are designed to streamline your scouting process and save you valuable time. With these scouting apps in your pocket, you’ll be ready to work smarter, move faster, and stay one step ahead on every project.
SuperScout is your own private location library – upload locations in minutes, tag them with ai in seconds, then search and share with your team
