# The Optimal Lab vs Matte Studios

The clearest difference is update cadence: Matte Studios at every 11 months against The Optimal Lab's every 25 months. On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

The Optimal Lab ships an update every 25 months, Matte Studios every 11 months. The most recent releases landed on September 16, 2026 and September 12, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | The Optimal Lab | Matte Studios |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 25 months | **Every 11 months** |
| Size | 31 MB | 191 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | **14.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [THE OPTIMAL LAB (ST LEONARDS) PTY LTD](https://appshunter.io/developer/1557251933) | [MATTE STUDIOS PTY LTD](https://appshunter.io/developer/1845085570) |

## What reviewers say

### The Optimal Lab

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-optimal-lab/id1593381703)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Matte Studios

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/matte-studios/id6753802965)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Wallet, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is The Optimal Lab free?

The Optimal Lab is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Matte Studios free?

Matte Studios is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do The Optimal Lab or Matte Studios have ads?

Neither The Optimal Lab nor Matte Studios shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, The Optimal Lab or Matte Studios?

The Optimal Lab ships an update every 25 months, and Matte Studios every 11 months. Most recently, The Optimal Lab was updated on September 16, 2026 and Matte Studios on September 12, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*