Comparison

Massive Dev Chart Timer vs Solar Eclipse Timer

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

Head to head
About

Massive Dev Chart Timer

This app provides an offline film development chart and a multi-step timer for photographers. It includes customizable agitation, darkroom themes, and support for various developing and fixing steps. It also offers automated compensation for development time and temperature.

Highlights
  • Offline film development chart
  • Multi-step timer with sound notifications
  • Customizable agitation schemes
  • Darkroom themes
  • Dilution mixer
  • Automated time/temperature compensation
Features
Read full description

The Massive Dev Chart is the world's largest film development chart with easy to use multi step timer and darkroom support for iPhone and iPad. Watch the instructional video at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P915z6THiY8. *** Features *** • Offline copy of The Massive Dev Chart in your pocket • Multi Step Timer with sound notifications • Customizable agitation scheme • Darkroom themes • Dilution Mixer • Support for two-step development and two-step fixing • Support for optional hypoclear and photo flo steps • Automated development time/temperature compensation

About

Solar Eclipse Timer

This app provides precise countdowns and reminders for solar eclipse phenomena, aiding both casual observers and photographers. It works offline and offers features like automatic partial-phase image timing and a dedicated photographer mode.

Highlights
  • Offline eclipse timing
  • Precise contact time calculation
  • Photographer mode
  • Automatic partial-phase image timing
  • Geolocation and manual coordinate entry
  • Audio and notification tests
Features
Read full description

The Solar Eclipse Timer app is marking its 6th eclipse since 2017, which speaks volumes about its reliability and the trust it has built within the eclipse-chasing community. Helping tens of thousands of people enjoy the eclipse more by being reminded to observe all the fascinating eclipse phenomena. Photographers are aided by down-to-the-second precision and countdowns. Since the 2026 path covers some remote areas as well as high-traffic spots in Spain where cell service could be overwhelmed on eclipse day, the app works offline once unlocked. So, geolocation and contact time calculation are all done within the app. This makes it a true "field tool." The app is free to try, and for only a $1.99 in-app purchase to unlock the 2026 eclipse, it's an easy "yes" for anyone who has invested time and travel to be in the path of totality. In-App Video Tutorial: The first button on the Home Screen provides a comprehensive tutorial that explains all the app's functions and how to use them effectively. Audio and Notification Tests: The second button lets users run a "device sound check" to confirm that audio cues, spoken timings, and notifications are audible, which is critical since the app is designed to talk to you. Practice Session Video: The third button launches a 4-minute-45-second video of my actual eclipse-day observation site in 2024, synchronized with the app's real-time announcements. This allows both observers and photographers to practice their routines repeatedly, such as observing for shadow bands, adjusting shutter speeds, and knowing when to remove solar filters. Additionally, dialogue boxes appear as functions are selected, giving you more guidance. On eclipse day, after you get into the path, you can be timing the eclipse in 3 easy steps: 1. Tap to geolocate. 2. Tap to have the app calculate the precise contact times. 3. Tap to load the times into the timer. That's it! You are timing the eclipse. A major convenience feature of the app is the automatic calculation of the clock times needed to capture a perfect set of partial-phase images before and after totality. It is the only app in the world with this function. Collaborating with the late Fred Espenak (Mr. Eclipse) on Photographers Mode before the 2024 eclipse gives the app an incredible pedigree. For pros who need to stay "in the zone" and only care about timing and countdowns from C1 through C4, this mode is a game-changer. You can manually enter coordinates and save the site as a file. This helps compare multiple potential viewing locations. The app includes a hyperlink to the Solar Eclipse Timer website, which gives access to downloadable worksheets to record your partial-phase image times or the chores you want to do in Photographers mode, as well as my Master Stop Chart to count full and partial camera stops. I have observed and photographed six total solar eclipses and one annular eclipse. The concept of an eclipse “talking” timer was developed by me in 2002. I have been helping people time eclipses for almost 25 years. When you use the app, you will appreciate that it was designed by an eclipse chaser. There is also a link to learn more about my comprehensive eclipse observation and photography book, now in its second edition, titled “Eclipse Day.” The app also has a partial eclipse timing mode. This app is ad-free and does not track any user data. ALWAYS USE EYE PROTECTION DURING THE PARTIAL PHASES OF A SOLAR ECLIPSE! OR EVEN WHEN IT IS BRIGHT! NOT DOING SO CAN CAUSE EYE DAMAGE! We are NOT liable for misuse of the app, causing inaccurate timing, or the lack of eye safety precautions during the observation of a solar eclipse. The "glasses off" and "glasses on" statements are guides based on the calculated contact times. The timing can be affected by your phone's clock and the shape of the shadow due to the edge of the lunar limb. Use the Adjust buttons for Lunar Limb variation time adjustments. Glasses should be ON if it's bright!

Screenshots

Massive Dev Chart Timer4 screens
Solar Eclipse Timer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Solar Eclipse Timer at Free against Massive Dev Chart Timer's $9.99. Solar Eclipse Timer also leads on update cadence (monthly vs every 5 months) and ratings volume (560 vs 54). Massive Dev Chart Timer's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 6) and chart position (#25 vs unranked). On rating, 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

Solar Eclipse Timer is free to download; Massive Dev Chart Timer costs $9.99 up front. Solar Eclipse Timer sells 6 one-off in-app purchases. Massive Dev Chart Timer asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 3.7 for Massive Dev Chart Timer against 3.8 for Solar Eclipse Timer. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Solar Eclipse Timer has 560 ratings behind it against 54, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 71% of Massive Dev Chart Timer's written reviews are positive against 68% of Solar Eclipse Timer's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Massive Dev Chart Timer ships an update every 5 months, Solar Eclipse Timer monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
Massive Dev Chart Timer versus Solar Eclipse Timer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMassive Dev Chart TimerSolar Eclipse Timer
Price$9.99Free — better
Rating3.7 (54 ratings)3.8 (560 ratings) — better
Positive reviews70.8% of reviews — better68.4% of reviews
Number of ratings54560 — better
Update frequencyEvery 5 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
Best chart rank#25 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.012.0
Further details — not scored
Size14 MB231 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperFreestyle Photo & ImagingFoxwood Astronomy, LLC.

Customer experience

Massive Dev Chart Timer

All ratings54 ratings
Positive63.0%
Neutral7.4%
Negative29.6%
Written reviews216 reviews
Positive70.8%
Neutral8.3%
Negative20.8%

Solar Eclipse Timer

All ratings560 ratings
Positive68.0%
Neutral4.3%
Negative27.7%
Written reviews158 reviews
Positive68.4%
Neutral7.6%
Negative24.1%

User reviews

Massive Dev Chart Timer

From 54 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 📚 Comprehensive film and developer database
  • ⏱️ Reliable timer with agitation reminders
  • 🎯 Easy-to-use interface for darkroom work
  • 🌙 Darkroom mode with red/black display
  • ✏️ Customizable development times and profiles

Room to improve

  • 🚫 Black and white film only (no color film support)
  • 🐛 Recent update broke HC110 dilution display
  • 🐛 App crashes on certain devices/iOS versions
  • 💰 Price point ($8.99-$11.99) for limited functionality
  • 🔍 Poor search functionality for films

Solar Eclipse Timer

From 560 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Accurate timing and announcements
  • 👍 Enhanced eclipse viewing experience
  • 🎉 Worked flawlessly for 2017 and 2024 eclipses
  • 💡 Helpful for photographers and non-photographers
  • 🔊 Useful audio cues and prompts

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional crashes or glitches
  • 🔍 Confusing or cluttered user interface
  • 🔋 Audio prompts not working in some cases
  • 🗺️ Inaccurate location detection or totality information

Bugs and requests

Massive Dev Chart Timer

Reported bugs

12 issues
  • HC110 dilution section displays only letters, not ratios
  • Dilution ratios not calculating when solution amount adjusted
  • App crashes after selecting film speed
  • Crashes on iPad with new update
  • Timer display shows three dots instead of seconds
Show 7 more
  • UI elements overlap on older iPhone models
  • Safelight mode white banner blocks display on iPad
  • Crashes during development process
  • Home screen line emits bright light in darkroom mode
  • App incompatible with newer iOS versions on older devices
  • Notes don't word wrap properly
  • Inconsistent film/developer availability between iPhone and iPad

Requested features

15 requests
  • Color film support (C-41, E-6, ECN-2 processes)
  • Search functionality by film brand/name
  • Ability to add custom process steps (presoak, toning)
  • Individual agitation control per development stage
  • Continuous agitation option
Show 10 more
  • Volume calculator for stop bath and fixer
  • Background timer functionality
  • Custom step name editing
  • Pull/push development times
  • Stand development support with hour-based timing
  • Apple Watch app
  • Syncing between iPhone and iPad
  • Fahrenheit temperature option
  • Additional common film stocks (Portra, Fuji 400H, Ektar)
  • Ability to add films not in database to custom times

Solar Eclipse Timer

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • App crashing when loading timing data
  • Notifications not working when camera is in use
  • Incorrect contact times displayed for some locations

Requested features

5 requests
  • Customizable reminders or timers
  • Automatic time zone and location updates
  • Lunar eclipse support
  • Improved onboarding and tutorial
  • Countdown timer with graphical depiction

In-app purchases

None

Massive Dev Chart Timer

No in-app purchases

6 purchases

Solar Eclipse Timer

One-time6
  • Total - 7/2/19; Chile, Argenti$1.99
  • Total - 12/14/20; Chile, Argen$1.99
  • Total – 12/4/21; Antarctica$1.99
Show 3 more
  • Hybrid – 4/20/23; Australia$1.99
  • Total – 4/8/24; USA, Mexico$1.99
  • Solar Eclipse Timer$1.99

Questions

Is Massive Dev Chart Timer free?
Massive Dev Chart Timer costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Solar Eclipse Timer free?
Solar Eclipse Timer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Massive Dev Chart Timer or Solar Eclipse Timer?
Solar Eclipse Timer is rated higher. Massive Dev Chart Timer averages 3.7 out of 5 from 54 ratings, while Solar Eclipse Timer averages 3.8 from 560 ratings.
Do Massive Dev Chart Timer or Solar Eclipse Timer have ads?
Neither Massive Dev Chart Timer nor Solar Eclipse Timer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Massive Dev Chart Timer or Solar Eclipse Timer?
Massive Dev Chart Timer ships an update every 5 months, and Solar Eclipse Timer monthly. Most recently, Massive Dev Chart Timer was updated on September 23, 2026 and Solar Eclipse Timer on September 20, 2026.

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