Comparison

RNI Aero vs Cobalt Image

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

Head to head
About

RNI Aero

Transform your photos with unique infrared film simulations inspired by vintage Kodak Aerochrome. This app offers a suite of editing tools to fine-tune your images and share them with the world.

Highlights
  • Infrared film simulation
  • Inspired by Kodak Aerochrome
  • Film-based photo editor
  • Adjustment tools (crop, rotate, brightness, contrast, etc.)
  • Vignette and film grain
  • RAW support
  • Direct social sharing
Features
Read full description

RNI Aero will effortlessly make your photos look mesmerising and surreal, like if they were shot on an infrared film. The RNI Aero filters are inspired by Kodak Aerochrome - an infrared film created for military and surveillance purpose. The original Aerochrome has been discontinued a while ago, but this project aims at recreating its look and preserving it for the generations to come. This app has been created by RNI - analog photography and digital imaging expert company based in London. Showcase your work on Instagram with #rniaero for a chance to get featured by RNI. FILM-BASED PHOTO EDITOR The RNI Aero filters are born from real infrared film. The app comes with a versatile introductory package of free film filters. Additional filters and premium features can be unlocked via in-app purchase. ADJUSTMENT TOOLS Use RNI Aero image adjustment tools to make sure your images perfectly meet your creative vision. You can crop and rotate, alter the brightness, contrast, enhance shadows and highlights, add vignette and real film grain, and more. RAW SUPPORT RNI Aero supports RAW. Some minor image artefacts may bee seen while editing RAW in the app's viewport which uses a draft mode for the sake of speed. But those artefacts won't be there on export. SHARING Share your photos to your social networks directly from the app. Supported networks include Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. #rniaero Tag your photos with #rniaero for a chance to get featured by the RNI’s official Instagram @reallyniceimages To find out more about RNI products please visit reallyniceimages.com - If experiencing any bugs or issues with this app - please let us know at support@reallyniceimages.com Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Cobalt Image

Enhance your iPhone photos with advanced AI, HDR, and smart portrait modes. This app offers unparalleled control over non-raw images, featuring cutting-edge white balance and Luma curve adjustments. Access renowned digital and film emulations for professional-level editing.

Highlights
  • AI-enhanced picture processing
  • HDR and smart portrait modes
  • Advanced color models for HEIC files
  • Unprecedented control over non-raw photos
  • White balance and Luma curve adjustments
  • Renowned digital and film emulations
  • Direct editing from Apple Photos
Features
Read full description

Please note that Cobalt Image PHOTO is available through subscription plans. The Full Access Yearly subscription provides a 7-day trial period during which you can try the full app and decide to cancel at any time. Our Digital and Film packs are renowned for their accuracy and are now available for all images taken by your favorite device. Your AI-enhanced pictures with HDR and smart portrait mode will be the starting point for our emulations. Cobalt Image PHOTO introduces a new advanced tool powered by the latest color models, specifically designed for treating AI-enhanced iPhone HEIC files. Leveraging the best color science available, it enhances and edits your cherished memories captured by the iPhone. Experience unparalleled freedom with our image editor, where you’ll be astonished by the unprecedented level of control over your non-raw photos. Our advanced color pipeline, featuring cutting-edge white balance and Luma curve adjustments, elevates the app to extraordinary heights, setting a new standard in photo editing. Features: - A complete set of renowned emulations made by Cobalt, both Digital and Film (Film available on Full Access subscription) - Advanced BW scientific conversion - Advanced White Balance - Luma curve on CIECAM16 - RGB curves on ProPhoto - Brightness, Contrast, Saturation all on CIECAM16 - Clarity - Structure - Advanced grain - Vignette The app can also be accessed directly from Apple Photos through the sharing function, allowing for direct editing of the selected photo. Standard Apple Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

RNI Aero4 screens
Cobalt Image4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: RNI Aero at 4.7 against Cobalt Image's 2.3. RNI Aero also leads on monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs subscription) and ratings volume (250 vs 6). Cobalt Image's advantage is update cadence (every 5 days vs every 2 months). On price, ads, in-app purchases 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. RNI Aero sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month and Cobalt Image sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.49 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

RNI Aero holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 2.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: RNI Aero has 250 ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 66% of RNI Aero's written reviews are positive against 56% of Cobalt Image's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

RNI Aero ships an update every 2 months, Cobalt Image every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on September 20, 2026 and July 19, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
RNI Aero versus Cobalt Image: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRNI AeroCobalt Image
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (250 ratings) — better2.3 (6 ratings)
Positive reviews65.8% of reviews — better55.6% of reviews
Number of ratings250 — better6
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 5 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterSubscription
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS13.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size48 MB203 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRNICobalt Image LTD

Customer experience

RNI Aero

All ratings250 ratings
Positive90.8%
Neutral4.0%
Negative5.2%
Written reviews155 reviews
Positive65.8%
Neutral8.4%
Negative25.8%

Cobalt Image

All ratings6 ratings
Positive33.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative66.7%
Written reviews9 reviews
Positive55.6%
Neutral0.0%
Negative44.4%

Bugs and requests

RNI Aero

Reported bugs

11 issues
  • App crashes when exporting/saving photos
  • Slow performance and unresponsiveness
  • Black screen when loading photos
  • Preset previews not loading
  • Use Last Edits feature doesn't retain filter selection
Show 6 more
  • Photo import limitations (iCloud-only restrictions)
  • Pro version subscription not activating after purchase
  • Watermark persists even with Pro subscription
  • App closes unexpectedly on certain devices
  • Cannot restore purchases
  • Two-factor authentication requirement unnecessary

Requested features

12 requests
  • Save custom presets and filter settings
  • Live camera mode with real-time filters
  • Ability to selectively apply filters to specific areas
  • Batch processing for multiple photos
  • Black and white infrared filter options
Show 7 more
  • Selective color editing tool (eraser/brush for partial application)
  • Video editing support
  • Dark mode and icon redesign for consistency with other RNI apps
  • Remove watermark for paid users
  • Default setting to disable date stamp for paid users
  • More filter variety and color options
  • Merge functionality with main RNI Films app

Cobalt Image

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

3 purchases

RNI Aero

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly RNI Aero Subscription$0.991 Month
  • Yearly RNI Aero Subscription$9.991 Year
One-time1
  • RNI Aero Pro$17.99
3 purchases

Cobalt Image

Subscriptions3
  • Cobalt Image Pro Digital$3.491 Month
  • Cobalt Image Pro Monthly$5.491 Month
  • Cobalt Image Pro Yearly7 Days trial$44.991 Year

Questions

Is RNI Aero free?
RNI Aero is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Cobalt Image free?
Cobalt Image is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, RNI Aero or Cobalt Image?
RNI Aero is rated higher. RNI Aero averages 4.7 out of 5 from 250 ratings, while Cobalt Image averages 2.3 from 6 ratings.
Do RNI Aero or Cobalt Image have ads?
Neither RNI Aero nor Cobalt Image shows ads.
Which is updated more often, RNI Aero or Cobalt Image?
RNI Aero ships an update every 2 months, and Cobalt Image every 5 days. Most recently, RNI Aero was updated on September 20, 2026 and Cobalt Image on July 19, 2026.

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