Comparison

Atkinson vs Reality Filters!

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • Atkinson dithering algorithm processing
  • Square photo output
  • Toggleable rounded corners
  • White border option
  • Real-time preview
Features
Read full description

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

About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Read full description

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

Atkinson4 screens
Reality Filters!4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Atkinson ships an update every 3 weeks, Reality Filters! weekly. The most recent releases landed on November 7, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Atkinson versus Reality Filters!: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAtkinsonReality Filters!
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.3 (6 ratings)4.0 (4 ratings) — better
Positive reviews71.4% of reviews—
Number of ratings6 — better4
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksWeekly — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS15.014.5 — better
Further details — not scored
Size19 MB4 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperkoyachiRare Realities, LLC

Customer experience

Atkinson

All ratings6 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral16.7%
Negative33.3%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive71.4%
Neutral0.0%
Negative28.6%

Reality Filters!

All ratings4 ratings
Positive75.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative25.0%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Atkinson

Subscriptions2
  • Standard Month$0.991 Month
  • Standard Year$9.991 Year
None

Reality Filters!

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Atkinson free?
Atkinson is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Reality Filters! free?
Reality Filters! is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Atkinson or Reality Filters!?
Reality Filters! is rated higher. Atkinson averages 3.3 out of 5 from 6 ratings, while Reality Filters! averages 4.0 from 4 ratings.
Do Atkinson or Reality Filters! have ads?
Atkinson shows ads; Reality Filters! does not.
Which is updated more often, Atkinson or Reality Filters!?
Atkinson ships an update every 3 weeks, and Reality Filters! weekly. Most recently, Atkinson was updated on November 7, 2026 and Reality Filters! on November 3, 2026.

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