Comparison

ARRI ECS vs BLACKSLATE7

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

Head to head
About

ARRI ECS

Features
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The “ECS Sync” iPhone app functions as a direct communication platform between ARRI and users of ARRI’s Electronic Control System (ECS). Adaptable to any camera and any lens, ARRI ECS tools include wireless hand units and digital controllers, intelligent lens motors, and distance measurers. With the ECS Sync app, users can receive up-to-the-minute software updates, news, and answers to frequently asked questions relevant to these products. In addition, the ECS Sync app enables Bluetooth file sharing between ECS devices and the app via the new Hi-5 hand unit, without the need of a bulky laptop on set. Software versions can be synchronized, and transferred from the app to the connected devices. Lens files and user settings can be archived in the app, or forwarded on, including to the user’s Google Drive or Drop Box. Lens files can also be displayed graphically, contributing to the app’s usefulness as a portable and intuitive filmmaking tool. Features: • Save and load lens tables and user setup files to/from the Hi-5 hand unit via Bluetooth • Create a personalized lens data archive in the ECS Sync app • Update the Hi-5 hand unit and connected LBUS devices via the app • Get the latest news about ARRI ECS products • Distribute lens tables and user setup files from the app via email, WhatsApp, Dropbox, Google Drive and more

About

BLACKSLATE7

This app transforms your smartphone into a programmable clapperboard for film and TV production. Easily load custom images or pre-set templates onto a compatible physical slate using NFC technology. Adjust image contrast and create grayscale effects for optimal visual output.

Highlights
  • Program images onto physical slate via NFC
  • Load pre-set SLATE templates
  • Create custom clapperboard images
  • Crop, scale, and rotate images
  • Adjust black/white threshold for contrast
  • Unique dithering control for grayscale simulation
Features
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TRIBE7’s SLATE is a uniquely re-usable and digitally reconfigurable compact clapperboard, designed for Film and TV production. The BLACKSLATE7 iOS app allows your smartphone to quickly program images onto your SLATE using the NFC interface in your iOS device. Choose from one of the pre-loaded SLATE templates or create and name your own custom clapperboard image through the crop, scale, and processing features in the app. Custom image processing features include: • Crop, Scale, and Rotate • Black/White Threshold Level control to optimize contrast and quality • Unique Dithering control to process images with a grayscale simulation

Screenshots

ARRI ECS3 screens
BLACKSLATE74 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: BLACKSLATE7 at every 3 months against ARRI ECS's every 14 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ARRI ECS ships an update every 14 months, BLACKSLATE7 every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 19, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
ARRI ECS versus BLACKSLATE7: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterARRI ECSBLACKSLATE7
PriceFreeFree
Rating—2.7 (6 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—20.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—6 — better
Update frequencyEvery 14 monthsEvery 3 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
Monetization—Free
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS15.614.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size23 MB19 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperARRI GroupLummico Sp. z o.o.

In-app purchases

None

ARRI ECS

No in-app purchases

None

BLACKSLATE7

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is ARRI ECS free?
ARRI ECS is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is BLACKSLATE7 free?
BLACKSLATE7 is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do ARRI ECS or BLACKSLATE7 have ads?
Neither ARRI ECS nor BLACKSLATE7 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ARRI ECS or BLACKSLATE7?
ARRI ECS ships an update every 14 months, and BLACKSLATE7 every 3 months. Most recently, ARRI ECS was updated on September 19, 2026 and BLACKSLATE7 on October 10, 2026.

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