Atkinson vs Reality Filters!
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Atkinson
This app processes photos using the Atkinson dithering algorithm, originally used for black and white displays on old Macintosh computers. It creates small file-sized images with options for square cropping, rounded corners, and white borders, offering a real-time preview of the effect.
- Atkinson dithering algorithm processing
- Square photo output
- Toggleable rounded corners
- White border option
- Real-time preview
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Transform your photos with the iconic Atkinson dithering algorithm — the same technique used on the original Macintosh by Bill Atkinson. Create stunning retro-style images with a single tap. # What is Atkinson Dithering? Atkinson dithering was the algorithm behind the classic 1-bit graphics of early Macintosh computers. It converts photos i nto beautiful two-tone pixel patterns, producing images with a distinctive vintage charm and remarkably small file sizes. # Features - Real-time Atkinson dithering preview through your camera - 7 retro-tech color palettes: Terminal Green, Amber Monitor, Original Macintosh, Game Boy, Apple II Green, White Phospho r, and classic black & white - 5 iconic frames inspired by computing history: MacPaint, Classic Mac window, Terminal, White Frame, and frameless - Adjustable brightness control - Rounded corner option - Square photo output optimized for social media - Lightweight PNG output with tiny file sizes # Color Palettes Go beyond black and white. Choose from color palettes inspired by legendary displays — the green glow of VT100 terminals, the warm amber of IBM monitors, the creamy screen of the original Macintosh, and more. # Retro Frames Wrap your dithered photos in frames inspired by classic software. The MacPaint frame features pixel-perfect tool palettes and menu bars, just like Bill Atkinson's legendary paint program. The Classic Mac frame recreates the iconic window chrome of early Macintosh. # Perfect for - Retro and vintage photo enthusiasts - Pixel art lovers - Social media posts with a unique aesthetic - Anyone who appreciates the beauty of 1-bit graphics
Reality Filters!
Transform your surroundings into a dynamic canvas with augmented reality filters. Paint effects onto the real world that persist as you move, and capture your unique creations. Optimized for devices with LiDAR sensors for enhanced surface interaction.
- Paint AR image filters onto the real world
- Filters persist as you move
- Select from a variety of unique effects
- Capture photos and videos of creations
- Optimized for LiDAR-enabled devices
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Turn the world into a giant coloring book or transform the colors of your room with Reality Filters! This novel augmented reality app lets you paint image filters onto the world around you. Features: • Paint image filters onto the real world. These effects stay in place even as you walk around! • Select from a growing list of unique effects that transform the world around you. • Capture photos and videos of your creations. • Optimized for devices with LiDAR sensors, such as the iPhone 12 Pro or iPad Pro. This lets you paint on any surface in the world. Let us know what types of filters you'd like to see next and be sure to share anything fun you create using Reality Filters!
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Reality Filters! at 4.0 against Atkinson's 3.3. Reality Filters! also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 2) and ads (none vs shown). On price, ratings volume, device support and iOS requirement 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
Both are free to download. Atkinson sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Reality Filters! asks for nothing beyond the download.
Reality Filters! holds the better App Store score, 4.0 against 3.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 6 and 4 respectively.
Atkinson ships an update every 3 weeks, Reality Filters! weekly. The most recent releases landed on November 7, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Atkinson | Reality Filters! |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.3 (6 ratings) | 4.0 (4 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 71.4% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 6 — better | 4 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Weekly — better |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 14.5 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 19 MB | 4 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | koyachi | Rare Realities, LLC |
Customer experience
Atkinson
Reality Filters!
In-app purchases
Atkinson
- Standard Month$0.991 Month
- Standard Year$9.991 Year
Reality Filters!
No in-app purchases









