DIC COLOR GUIDE vs File
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
DIC COLOR GUIDE
Access a comprehensive digital color library with over 2,500 colors. This tool aids in color selection, communication, and reproduction for print and design. It offers features like ink blending ratios and visual texture previews, with advanced options available via subscription.
- Digital color library with 2,553 colors
- Ink blending ratios for print reproduction
- Visual texture previews on various substrates
- Traditional color series browsing (Japan, France, China)
- Stock selected colors with notes
- Export color data (RGB, CMYK) via email
- Color calibration under different light sources (subscription)
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This is a digital color library of the DIC Color Guide, a color sample book with the top market share in Japan. Please use the Guide as a color communication tool that allows you to select, stock, communicate, and share your favorite colors from a selection of 2,553 colors. This app has been provided free of charge since 2011 and has proved very popular. [Key Features] (Some features require a subscription.) - You can check the ink blending ratio to reproduce the colors of the DIC Color Guide in print. - You can use a pre-taken photographic image to call up a similar color from the Color Guide. (Subscription) - You can check the visual texture of DIC Color Guide colors printed on the substrate you wish to use (various types of paper, metal, and film). - The color library “Traditional Colors Series (Japan, France, China)” allows you to browse all the color names from these countries, and their origins. - Selected colors can be stocked together and text notes can be added. - Color swatch data from Adobe's Illustrator and Photoshop graphic software, RGB values, CMYK values, and other data can be sent by e-mail. -Calibration cards* can be used to convert colors under various light sources, such as sunlight, indoor fluorescent light, LED, etc., to pseudo colors that are the same as when the image is taken under a standard light source (D50/D65). This allows for the same color reproduction as when shooting under standard light sources without concern for the light source at the time of shooting. (Subscription) *In rare cases, jaggies or moiré may appear after calibration is performed. *Calibration cards must be purchased separately online from the DIC Graphics store (DIC Color Store). We will ship about 2 weeks after your order is placed. Precautions for using the calibration card ・To obtain good search results, you will need a mobile device that supports the calibration card, a bright environment, and a clean camera lens. ・Please take pictures in a well-lit place (office: approx. 700 lux; 10 am on a sunny day: approx. 65,000 lux). When photographing the calibration card, make sure that light does not reflect or cast shadows on the card surface. The calibration function may not work properly. ・When searching from DIC Color Guide images, search results may differ depending on factors such as the age of the Color Guide, its condition, and color changes. ・Calibration cards are valid for one year. Due to inventory and shipping issues, the calibration card may be valid for more than one year at the time of delivery. ・The expiration date of the calibration card is displayed on the Subscription Management Screen of the Digital Color Guide app. [Please note] If a film, glass, or other material is attached to the display surface of the device, the color may be affected by the color of the material, resulting in a discoloration of the displayed color. We recommend having no film, glass, etc. on the surface of the device. When viewing the screen, please set the brightness to the maximum brightness of each device. [Disclaimer] We make doubly sure that all information and values are correct, but give you no guarantee of those. Please note that all information and values are for reference only. We will never make restitution, if using this application may cause any damage or trouble.
File
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【File Picker(A)】 このアプリは、iPhone内のMP3,JPEG,PNGファイルを再生、画面表示するアプリです。このアプリの外でダウンロードしたファイル等を対象とするものです。[cell 追加]ボタンを押すとTitle入力枠が表示され入力後[File選択]ボタンを押すとドキュメントPickerが起動するのでaudioまたはimageファイルを選択してください(拡張子で判断)。ユーザーが入力したTitleはiボタンを押して編集できます(ファイル名は変更できません)。左スラッシュで行削除もできます。行タップで音声再生、再度の同一行タップで停止します。また、画像のピンチ操作で拡大縮小できます。 [File選択] ボタンを押したときに 「File選択」または「写真選択」(Album) を選べるようにしました。 【Image Resizer(B)】 タブBに画像サイズを変更(拡大縮小)する機能を追加しました。[Pick Image]→[Resize]→[Save to Photos]の順に操作します。画像のフレームサイズは幅と高さをピクセル単位で指定してください。また、画像ファイルはjpegまたはpng形式で保存することができます。なお、画像サイズを指定した後キーボード以外の部分をタップするとキーボードが消えます。
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: File at none against DIC COLOR GUIDE's 3. File also leads on update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 3 months). DIC COLOR GUIDE's advantage is iOS requirement (16.0 vs 18.2). On price, 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
Both are free to download. DIC COLOR GUIDE sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. File asks for nothing beyond the download.
DIC COLOR GUIDE ships an update every 3 months, File every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 30, 2026 and September 19, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | DIC COLOR GUIDE | File |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 2.5 (2 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 68.8% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 2 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Every 6 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Freemium | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 — better | 18.2 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 99 MB | 0 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | DIC Corporation | yoot |
In-app purchases
DIC COLOR GUIDE
- Search and camera (1 month)$2.991 Month
- Search and camera (6months)$12.996 Months
- Search and camera (1 year)$19.991 Year
File
No in-app purchases






