Comparison

Classic Camera by Hipstamatic vs Blackie

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

Head to head
About

Classic Camera by Hipstamatic

This app offers a unique analog-style photography experience on mobile devices. It provides a variety of vintage camera simulations, advanced editing tools, and the ability to create and share custom presets. Users can capture and edit photos with a focus on artistic expression and authentic visual aesthetics.

Highlights
  • Analog-style camera simulations
  • Manual camera controls
  • Extensive editing suite
  • Customizable presets
  • Multiple exposure feature
  • RAW format capture and editing
Features
Read full description

Hipstamatic is a world-class photography app and Apple’s original App of the Year! Shoot beautiful authentic photography and become part of the world’s most creative community, exclusively on iPhone. • Apple’s very first App of the Year • The original photo filter app • The inventor of square filtered mobile photos • Plus, all of the features below :-) — CLASSIC CAMERA Digital photography has never looked so analog. Shooting Classic provides beautifully rendered skeuomorphic cameras that transform your experience as you swipe through lenses, flashes, and films. ■ Use Multiple Exposure to shoot multiple images in one shot and get amazing artistic results ■ — PRO CAMERA For the mobile photographer looking for a minimal capture interface with maximum control, shooting Pro gives you ultimate creative control. ■ Manually control focus, white balance, exposure, shutter speed, ISO, and aspect ratio ■ — DARKROOM EDITING SUITE A full editing suite including over 20 professional adjustment tools and 12 signature presets. • Classic Lens, Film, and Flash • Crop • Straighten & Rotate • Skew • Exposure • Clarity • Definition • Exposure • Clarity • Definition • Highlights • Shadows • Vibrancy • Fade • Curves (RGB + Red + Green + Blue) • Temperature • Tint • Depth of field • Texture • Grain • Vignette • Before & After view by holding down image in edit view • Undo & Redo by swiping left and right ■ Choose the overall mood of your image with Hipstamatic's signature Lenses, Films, and Flashes, then fine tune with extensive editing tools ■ — FAVORITE PRESETS Create your own Favorite Presets and even share your signature look with others. If you are looking for inspiration hit the shuffle button and explore a world of serendipitous beauty. • 12 World-class presets • Customize and edit presets • Save new presets • Presets are synchronized across your devices with iCloud • Share any favorite preset with other photographers ■ Define your signature looks, then quickly apply them to your photos with Copy/Paste support ■ — NATIVE WORKFLOW Hipstamatic is fully synchronized with your photo library. Tap on any photo to instantly edit it, and see and organize your photos in either Hipstamatic or Apple Photos. • Runs natively on iPhone and iPad • No need to import, just tap and edit • Quickly Favorite or Delete photos • Always full resolution • Save as Separate Files (default) and keep your originals untouched • Save as non-destructive Versions and streamline your photos with the original safely embedded within the Hipstamatic version (works best with iCloud Photo Library) • Browse folders created in the Photos app • Fully synchronized with Photos app and iCloud Photo Library • View detailed metadata • View shared image details across social networks (likes, comments, etc.) • Capture and edit in RAW format ■ Shoot on iPhone and edit on iPad with fully native support and synchronized Favorite Presets via iCloud ■ — HipstaMart™ Shop Browse amazing filter packs available for purchase via the In-App store created by the world’s most talented photo makers. Collaborations from top fashion and street photographers to famous artists like Salvador Dali with new packs available monthly. PrintLab™ Get real physical prints delivered straight to your door. We built this service in 2010 because no service would print square photos, and today PrintLab is still the best square format printing service in the world. Shipping to over 200 countries! • Print Prints (4”, 7”, 10”) • 30” Gallery Prints • Aluminum Prints (10” or 20”) • Birch Wood Prints (10” or 20”) — LET'S MAKE BEAUTIFUL PHOTOS TOGETHER Help us make Hipstamatic the best app ever. Send your thoughts & comments to feedback@hipstamatic.com or message us anywhere @Hipstamatic Thanks and welcome to the HipstaFamily!

About

Blackie

This app is designed for black and white photography enthusiasts, offering a minimal interface and powerful tools for both beginners and professionals. It provides real-time effect previews, manual camera controls, and extensive editing options to achieve stunning monochrome images.

Highlights
  • Real-time effect previews
  • Manual camera controls
  • Extensive editing mods
  • Customizable presets
  • Minimalist design
  • Fast camera access
Features
Read full description

The perfect app for the Black & White photography. It doesn't matter if you've just started or you are a professional. The Blackie has something for everyone. Its minimal design and easy use with many features will make it your go-to app when you're in the mood for the Black & White. It will help you explore all the possibilities of the Black & White photography and achieve the best result. • Fast. Blackie opens in camera mode, so you can instantly capture moments around you and give them vintage feeling. • What you see is what you get. All effects are previewed in Real-time. • Shuffle your best. The smart shuffle works exceptionally. You only need to shuffle a couple of times and snap the best one. • Customize. If you have time, you can manage every effect in your photo with Mods by yourself. • Simple Minimal Design. The way that Blackie works is unique. The experience is clear and fast. No need for unnecessary buttons. • Just save it! Captured photo goes instantly to your photos library. It is up to you when you are ready to share it with the world. • No in-app purchases and no ads. Nothing to bother you while making memories. • Settings Save Original Photo On / Off. Save Photos with Compression (JPEG) On / (TIFF) Off. Modify UI to Lighting Conditions. (Black or White design). • Camera Manual Controls Manual Focus with Focus Peaking. Lenses. Manual Exposure. Shutter Speed and ISO. Manual White Balance. EV. • Grids 9x Grid Types with custom Opacity. Center Lines On / Off. Grid Color Black / White. • Presets 8x Slots for custom Presets. • Mods Crop and Rotate. Films. 5x Scanned Analog Films. 3x Digitally Created. Brightness. Contrast. Color Filters. 6x Types Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue and Infra. Vignette Overlay. 5x Types with rotations and inverted light. Fade. Low, Mid, High mods. Shadows. Highlights. Sharp. 2x Types Clarity and Bloom. Grain. Frame. Black & White frame with custom size. • Post processing Before / After function. Tags: #blackieapp #blackie Note: iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4/4S, iPod 4th generation, iPad2, iPad Mini 1st generation, iPad3 is Missing Sharp and Grain Mods. All iPads preview and capture is in Square Mode only.

Screenshots

Classic Camera by Hipstamatic4 screens
Blackie4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Classic Camera by Hipstamatic at 4.7 against Blackie's 3.1. Classic Camera by Hipstamatic also leads on ratings volume (4.6K vs 44) and chart position (#39 vs unranked). Blackie's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 10) and update cadence (monthly vs every 3 months). On review sentiment, ads 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

Classic Camera by Hipstamatic costs $4.99 and Blackie $3.99 up front. Classic Camera by Hipstamatic sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Blackie asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Classic Camera by Hipstamatic holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Classic Camera by Hipstamatic has 4.6K ratings behind it against 44, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 63% of Classic Camera by Hipstamatic's written reviews are positive against 58% of Blackie's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Classic Camera by Hipstamatic ships an update every 3 months, Blackie monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 31, 2026 and October 29, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 3 level
Classic Camera by Hipstamatic versus Blackie: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterClassic Camera by HipstamaticBlackie
Price$4.99$3.99 — better
Rating4.7 (4.6K ratings) — better3.1 (44 ratings)
Positive reviews63.1% of reviews — better58.5% of reviews
Number of ratings4.6K — better44
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterPaid
Best chart rank#39 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.010.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size90 MB26 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHipstamatic, LLCBrutality Arts

Customer experience

Classic Camera by Hipstamatic

All ratings4,546 ratings
Positive94.1%
Neutral2.0%
Negative3.9%
Written reviews1,659 reviews
Positive63.1%
Neutral9.0%
Negative27.9%

Blackie

All ratings44 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral2.3%
Negative47.7%
Written reviews118 reviews
Positive58.5%
Neutral12.7%
Negative28.8%

User reviews

Classic Camera by Hipstamatic

From 4.6K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Powerful creative tool
  • 👍 Versatile lens/film combinations
  • 🎨 Unique vintage-style photography
  • 💡 Ability to edit existing photos
  • 👍 Reliable and consistent performance

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent crashes and stability issues
  • 🔋 High battery consumption
  • 💰 Expensive in-app purchases
  • 🤔 Confusing interface changes
  • 🙁 Inability to restore purchases

Blackie

From 44 App Store ratings

What we love

  • ✨ Excellent B&W quality
  • 🎨 Great filters and effects
  • ⚙️ Powerful controls
  • 📸 Good for street photography
  • 💡 Customizable options

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent crashes
  • 🚫 App not usable (on some devices)
  • 📉 Poor usability (for some)
  • 🐞 Bugs and glitches
  • 🫙 Difficult to save photos

Bugs and requests

Classic Camera by Hipstamatic

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Photos not saving properly
  • Viewfinder not aligning correctly
  • Inability to change ISO settings without crashing
  • Purchased items disappearing from the app
  • Syncing issues between devices

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add support for iPhone 14 Pro camera
  • Improve RAW file handling
  • Implement batch photo editing
  • Provide better organization for purchased items
  • Introduce an undo/redo function

Blackie

Reported bugs

53 issues
  • Severe crashes
  • Photos not saving
  • Editing not saving
  • Upper side of pictures cut off
  • Double assignments in UI (e.g., histogram)
Show 48 more
  • Filter usage broken
  • Setting a frame to black does not persist
  • GUI not usable on iPad Pro
  • Camera shuts down with manual focus on wide angle
  • App crashes when using manual focus on wide angle lens
  • App did not save any images
  • Latest update crashes consistently
  • App crashes on opening/shutter click
  • Photo not recorded in Photos app
  • Cannot take pictures after setup choice
  • App no longer works, shutter circle does nothing
  • App freezes on opening screen
  • App crashing with iPhone Pro 15
  • App freezes when opening photos
  • App freezes and hangs
  • Some shots lost and not saved
  • App drains battery even in background
  • App freezes on each section
  • App crashes when trying to load/edit from library
  • App crashes when importing photos
  • App crops images
  • App not responding
  • App crashes frequently
  • App not working on iPhone 7
  • App not working on iPhone XR
  • App not working on iPhone XS Max
  • App not working on iPhone X, Xs, Xs Max
  • App not working after last update (iPhone XS Plus)
  • Icons too small
  • Buttons too small
  • Icons are tiny
  • UI not optimized for screen size
  • Interface not user-friendly
  • Cropping to square is forced
  • Random/shuffle FX is perfect but cannot be saved
  • Clunky unintuitive UI
  • Cannot access photos, freezes phone
  • Uploads sporadically, then uploads wrong photo
  • No icons show up, cannot take photos
  • App still doesn't work on new iPhone, unable to take photos
  • Controls not quite right for iPhone 14 Pro Max
  • App doesn't work with iPad Pro 11
  • App doesn't work with iPad Air 4
  • Buttons cut off at screen edge and don't respond
  • Live camera image visible, but UI buttons cut off
  • App crashes
  • Bug crashing again
  • App not responding

Requested features

24 requests
  • Customizable default comment in metadata
  • Home screen shortcut icon
  • Masking function
  • Retouch/correction function
  • Support for 48MP max grid
Show 19 more
  • Features for night photography
  • Optimization for new iPhones
  • Ability to turn off shuffle
  • RAW capture support
  • Zoom while shooting
  • Ability to edit preset names
  • Save favorite combinations from shuffle
  • Support for second lens on iPhone 7 Plus
  • Ability to pinch out to zoom in
  • Tiff format support
  • Color photo option with same interface
  • More film simulations
  • Smaller font size
  • Support for larger photo databases
  • Guidance on app usage
  • Permanent settings after restart
  • Ability to reset chosen preset
  • Scroll through camera roll within the app
  • Clear way to upload to computer/camera roll

In-app purchases

10 purchases

Classic Camera by Hipstamatic

One-time10
  • Williamsburg Starter HipstaPak$0.99
  • Portland HipstaPak$0.99
  • Shibuya HipstaPak$0.99
Show 7 more
  • Camden HipstaPak$0.99
  • Mission Hipstapak$0.99
  • Dali GoodPak$0.99
  • Soho HipstaPak$0.99
  • Bondi HipstaPak$0.99
  • Wicker Park HipstaPak$0.99
  • RetroPak One$1.99
None

Blackie

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Classic Camera by Hipstamatic free?
Classic Camera by Hipstamatic costs $4.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is Blackie free?
Blackie costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Classic Camera by Hipstamatic or Blackie?
Classic Camera by Hipstamatic is rated higher. Classic Camera by Hipstamatic averages 4.7 out of 5 from 4.6K ratings, while Blackie averages 3.1 from 44 ratings.
Do Classic Camera by Hipstamatic or Blackie have ads?
Neither Classic Camera by Hipstamatic nor Blackie shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Classic Camera by Hipstamatic or Blackie?
Classic Camera by Hipstamatic ships an update every 3 months, and Blackie monthly. Most recently, Classic Camera by Hipstamatic was updated on October 31, 2026 and Blackie on October 29, 2026.

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