Comparison

Darkroom Clock vs Darkplug

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Darkroom Clock

This app provides a customizable timer for film and photo development, allowing users to create unique development recipes. It features a darkroom-safe mode, a clear display, and a full-screen start/stop button for ease of use. Receive notifications if a timer is running when you leave the app.

Highlights
  • Configurable development recipes
  • Darkroom mode for B&W paper
  • Clear information display
  • Full screen start/stop button
  • Running timer notifications
Features
Read full description

Darkroom Clock is a flexible darkroom timer app suitable for both film and photo development. Build your own development recipes with separate timers for each stage of your development process. The app includes - fully configurable development recipes. - darkroom mode (safe to use with B&W photographic paper). - clear display with all the information you need. - the whole screen is the start/stop button for the timers - notifications if you leave the app while a timer is still running Also the app is free so there is no reason to not download it.

About

Darkplug

This app acts as a darkroom timer and printing tool, allowing control of enlargers via a compatible smart plug. It offers precise timing, guided workflows, and a red-on-black interface for film photographers.

Highlights
  • Enlarger control via smart plug
  • Precise timing
  • Guided workflows
  • Red-on-black interface
  • F-Stop timing
  • Dodge and burn planning
  • Guided developing timer
Read full description

Darkplug is a darkroom timer and printing tool for iPhone. It lets you control your enlarger from your iPhone using a compatible Shelly smart plug on your local network. Built for film photographers and darkroom printers, Darkplug combines precise timing, guided workflows, and a red-on-black interface designed for darkroom use. The clean timer interface is designed to stay practical under safelight conditions, with large controls and minimal clutter. Darkplug+ unlocks advanced printing tools, including F-Stop timing, guided test strips, dodge and burn planning, split grade printing, guided paper developing, and reusable Dodge & Burn plan codes. The guided test strip workflow helps you build and run exposure tests in seconds or F-Stops, then apply your preferred result as the print time. The Dodge & Burn workflow helps you plan local exposure changes, review a generated print plan, and follow guided execution steps in the darkroom. Plans can be exported and restored later with reusable plan codes. Darkplug also includes a guided developing timer for developer, stop, fix, and wash, so printing and paper processing can stay in one focused app. To use Darkplug, connect your enlarger to a compatible smart plug, make sure the plug and your iPhone are on the same local network, enter the plug’s local IP address, and connect. No account login is required. No cloud backend or external web service is needed for core timer operation. Compatible smart plugs: Shelly Plus Plug S Gen2, Shelly Plus Plug UK Gen2, Shelly Plug S Gen3, Shelly Outdoor Plug S Gen3, Shelly Plug M Gen3, and Shelly Plug US Gen4.

Screenshots

Darkroom Clock3 screens
Darkplug4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Darkroom Clock at none against Darkplug's 1. Darkroom Clock also leads on ratings volume (85 vs 1) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 18.6). Darkplug's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.6). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Darkplug sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Darkroom Clock asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Darkplug holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Darkroom Clock has 85 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Darkroom Clock versus Darkplug: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDarkroom ClockDarkplug
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (85 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews83.3% of reviews—
Number of ratings85 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 3 months—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS11.0 — better18.6
Further details — not scored
Size7 MB9 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAdam FowlerPETER DR SZENTKIRALYI

In-app purchases

None

Darkroom Clock

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Darkplug

One-time1
  • Darkplug+$24.99

Questions

Is Darkroom Clock free?
Darkroom Clock is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Darkplug free?
Darkplug is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Darkroom Clock or Darkplug?
Darkplug is rated higher. Darkroom Clock averages 4.6 out of 5 from 85 ratings, while Darkplug averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Darkroom Clock or Darkplug have ads?
Neither Darkroom Clock nor Darkplug shows ads.

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