# Formulas - Photo Lab Effects and Custom Frames — user reviews

> 270 indexed App Store user reviews of Formulas by Tinkerworks Apps, rated 4.20/5 from 114 ratings.

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/formulas-photo-lab-effects-and-custom-frames/id990668324/reviews
- App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/formulas-photo-lab-effects-and-custom-frames/id990668324.md
- Rating breakdown: 5★ 71 · 4★ 22 · 3★ 5 · 2★ 5 · 1★ 11

## What do users think of Formulas?

Overall sentiment: mixed

**Pros**

- ✨ Beautiful and professional-looking filters
- 🎨 Excellent artistic effects for photo editing
- 👍 Simple and intuitive user interface
- ⚡ Fast and efficient editing process
- 🖼️ High-quality results with vintage-style textures
- 🎭 Unique and creative filter combinations
- 📱 Works well on iPad and iPhone
- 💰 Good value for the price

**Cons**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and stability issues
- ⏱️ No updates in 9+ years
- 🚫 Regional restrictions not disclosed
- ❌ Non-functional in-app links and cart system
- 🔗 Broken connection to App Store
- 📍 Stackables unavailable in multiple regions
- 💸 Hidden costs and regional feature limitations
- 🔌 Poor customer support and abandonment
- 📱 iOS compatibility issues
- 🖼️ Limited customization options

**Commonly reported bugs**

- App crashes on iPhone iOS 26
- Crashes when tapping camera icon
- Cannot save to camera roll
- Crashes frequently during use
- Non-functional icons marked as forbidden
- App won't run on iPad Pro despite optimization claim
- Photos extension not working properly
- Broken external links (App Store, Instagram, websites)
- In-app purchase system not connecting to App Store
- Lost access to previously purchased add-ons after update
- Stackables app crashes repeatedly

**Most requested features**

- Update app for current iOS versions
- Add landscape mode support
- Increase number of filter options
- Separate color and texture controls
- Adjust opacity independently for colors and textures
- Add more texture options (peeling paint, fresco, plaster)
- Improve Photos extension functionality
- Restore Stackables app availability
- Add layering/stacking capabilities
- Include tutorial videos
- Add brightness and contrast adjustment controls

## Newest reviews (11 of 270)

### 3/5 — Great effects / Crashes when you tap the camera icon

*2025-08-20, version 2.3*

No updates in 9 years?! As long as you are applying these effects to stored photos and not on a live camera it has some really professional-looking effects.

### 3/5 — Used to like

*2025-08-10, version 2.3*

I used to enjoy this app and spent money on add ons but one day the app was different and no longer has the add ons I paid for

### 2/5 — Crashes a lot

*2025-06-28, version 2.3*

Crashes a lot. Looks like they abandoned this beautiful application. Definitely, going to change the rating if they decided to update in the near future. 

Note: I regularly update my review/rating for this application.

### 4/5 — Almost Perfect

*2022-09-05, version 2.3*

Almost perfect! It does what promised! Logical price also!

### 4/5 — Please update

*2022-08-16, version 2.3*

Love this app but it needs an update. Works but not properly as a photos extension

### 4/5 — Filters are Great But…

*2022-03-03, version 2.3*

I purchased Formulas, which is great- love the filters- but went to combine them and was told that “Stackables” wasn’t available in my region- Indiana, USA- really? Couldn’t have told me that before I bought it? Also didn’t know that I’d need to purchase Stackables as part of my Formulas purchase, but yep!  So I can only combine the filters now if I screenshot/crop/reload, etc. SUPER inconvenient. Disappointed but still appreciate Formulas- excellent filters.

### 5/5 — Awesome app!

*2021-10-04, version 2.3*

New user here and I am loving the simplicity! Can’t wait to see what else is in store!

### 5/5 — Grazie ragazzi!

*2021-07-06, version 2.3*

Ora Stackables funziona di nuovo! Grazie! La uso assieme a Formulas e sono una bella coppia!!

### 5/5 — Amazing

*2021-04-18, version 2.3*

Stunning filters and retro effects as no other application. Great value

### 3/5 — Needs more customization

*2020-12-21, version 2.3*

I don’t get much use out of this app because there’s no way to separate the colors from the textures. Often times I’d like to get rid of the color and keep the texture, or vise versa. Or just lower the opacity of the color or texture separately.

### 5/5 — Vraiment super

*2020-09-07*

Une des meilleures apps que j'ai essayées pour des éffets vraiment différents des autres. Je l'ai acheté et je la conseille vraiment a tous ceux qui aiment changer et jouer avec les photos.

## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated)

### 1/5 — This app is just no

*2026-05-21, version 2.3*

Just purchased it. When I tried to use it, nothing works at all. Please do Not even try it. Waste my money!!!

### 1/5 — Was great...

*2026-02-10, version 2.3*

Seems like the developer for this app has given up - yes everyone’s worst fears for a great app. Can no longer click on the “cart” to purchase items - can it connect to App Store. Sad.

### 1/5 — Regional restrictions

*2025-12-19, version 2.3*

Why you didn’t tell us that the app have regional reservations, I paid for it to discover it doesn’t open in my region. Thisvis insane it’s a scam.

### 1/5 — Обманывает!!!

*2025-09-08*

Заплатил за приложение, но после обработки фото - не дает сохранить! Требует перейти на версию Pro, которое в магазине - ОТСУТСТВУЕТ!!!
Требую вернуть мои деньги!

### 1/5 — Leider sehr enttäuscht

*2023-08-15*

Nur ein paar Vintage-Filter und einfache Rahmenmöglichkeiten.

### 1/5 — いいアプリだったのに

*2023-05-05*

作者の財力か気力ですね
辞めちゃったら終わりです。
こんなアプリに課金したのが
恥ずかしいですな。

### 1/5 — Disappointed

*2022-09-07, version 2.3*

I am very disappointed with the number of icons on this app that are Forbidden or just not working,  what am I doing wrong?  Or is the App faulty!

### 1/5 — Looks like they abandoned this beautiful application

*2022-08-17, version 2.3*

Looks like they abandoned this beautiful application. Definitely, going to change the rating if they decided to update in the near future. 

Note: I regularly update my review/rating for this application.

### 1/5 — Нужны обновления! 🤬

*2021-04-17*

Надо исправлять баги, увеличивать производительность, адаптировать под новые устройства. Харош купить🎋

### 1/5 — Disappointed!

*2020-08-26, version 2.3*

I downloaded the Formulas App today and when editing an image I found I could not “Layer” and was directed to upgrade to Pro only to discover the Stackables App was no longer available or not available in Australia. Considering I don’t have ALL possible formulas available to me I find the cost of this App excessive. Please advise how I can now layer for full potential.

## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated)

### 5/5 — Ios 26

*2026-04-13, version 2.3*

Crashes on iphone ios26, but works on iPad

### 5/5 — Great app!

*2025-07-28, version 2.3*

This is a really good app for modifying your tone in a photograph. It's addictive!

### 5/5 — Спасибо ! Шикарная программа

*2024-02-17*

Жду обновлений и новшеств !!
Новые эффекты новые наборы и обновления для старых iOS

### 5/5 — Love this since it came out

*2024-01-25, version 2.3*

I love using these filters. They are fantastic best out there.

### 5/5 — Хороший додаток.

*2023-06-16, version 2.3*

Але чи плануєте оновлення? Дякую!❤️

### 5/5 — 請幫忙將軟體畫面改成 iOS的樣子，謝謝。

*2023-03-27, version 2.3*

目前軟體畫面是 Windows Phone 的樣子，請幫忙將軟體畫面改成 iOS 的樣子，謝謝。

### 5/5 — Irgendwie richtig gut

*2023-03-01*

Also, die App hat was! Ich bin seit einigen Jahren begeistert und immer noch.
Den Kauf der App habe ich nie bereut und immer empfohlen!

### 5/5 — Awesome still after all this time!

*2023-01-29, version 2.3*

Look forward to your updates on this excellent app!! 
Sincerely, Tori

### 5/5 — 이 좋은 앱이

*2022-09-23*

6년간 성장을 멈추고 있네요 지금은 ios 16의 시대입니다.  개발자님 포기하지마시고 힘내세요

### 5/5 — The simplicity and the subtle

*2022-09-13, version 2.3*

Whenever I see an app more than 5 years old only upgraded for the next operating system I worry. This is a lovely app but it could use a few more beautiful subtle textures. Peeling paint, fresco, and plaster?
Please don’t go.

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-09-03.*