Comparison

Reciprocity Timer vs Develop! Film Timer

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

Head to head
About

Reciprocity Timer

This app helps film photographers calculate exposure compensation for reciprocity failure. It offers a standard version for basic calculations and a pro version with advanced features like note-taking and custom film databases. It also includes an exposure timer and filter compensation tools.

Highlights
  • Reciprocity compensation calculations
  • Exposure timer
  • Filter compensation slider
  • Note-keeping feature
  • Custom film and camera databases
  • Film stock favorites
Features
Read full description

Manage your film photography from start to finish!  Reciprocity Timer has 2 Version - the "Standard" Version does NOT include advanced features but can be used to calculate reciprocity on a range of common films. The "Pro" Version is available for an additional $9.99 USD (via in-app-purchase) unlocks a range of advanced features. The initial purchase price allows you to calculate reciprocity for all the films included by selecting an observed exposure time. This $1.99 US non-pro version is suitable for people who just need to calculate an exposure that includes reciprocity adjustments for commonly used films. It will suit many users who don't require or need to upgrade to the pro version for features like note keeping or a camera database etc. It's most suitable if you are new to film. More advanced film users and photographers may want to pay to upgrade after their initial purchase to the pro version. If you use a pro-feature you'll be prompted to upgrade for an additional $9.99 US. This will unlock all the additional features including the Zone Editor, Note, Camera and Film Holder database as well as custom films and filters. There is no need to upgrade if you just want to calculate and time reciprocity for a particular film and you always use the same camera. The app includes in-app purchase to unlock pro features including a note-keeping feature, the ability to add custom films and the ability to select often used film stock as favorites. Once you upgrade then the one app does it all - notes, filters, exposure calculations, custom films, zone system editor, film holder management as well as the reciprocity math! A comprehensive film reciprocity calculator for photographers. Select a film type and metered exposure time - the calculator will provide a reciprocity compensated exposure time. The app includes an exposure timer so you can time your long exposures. You can also use a slider to adjust exposure when you have filters attached. The app supports a wide range of film stocks and allows the user to add various common exposure filters such as NDs and Polarizers. Keep detailed notes and share them. Share your adjusted exposure times with colleagues. This app makes film photography a breeze. You may need to setup Reciprocity Timer in Settings -> Notification Center to ensure the app's timer can notify you when exposures are ending and your device is asleep. Watch companion app now included. To install the app use the Apple Watch App on your phone. Ensure your watch and phone are paired an unlocked and scroll down the list of available apps to Reciprocity Timer. Select Install. You can also turn on "Automatically Install Apps".

About

Develop! Film Timer

This app provides a flexible and intuitive timer for film and darkroom development. Create custom development recipes with multiple steps and intervals, and utilize a special darkroom mode for low-light conditions. Easily share your recipes and import them from FilmDev.org.

Highlights
  • Customizable development recipes
  • Multiple steps and intervals per recipe
  • Darkroom Mode (red-on-black theme)
  • Integrated interval timer
  • Import recipes from FilmDev.org
  • Share recipes via social media
Features
Read full description

Develop your film with a smile! Develop! is a flexible, elegant timer for developing film and working in the darkroom. Build your own development recipes in a few taps: as many steps as you need, each with its own agitation intervals. It's entirely up to you; you're in full control. Notable features: - Voice Control: Hands wet? Just say "NEXT" to move on to the next step. Recognition runs on your iPhone, no internet connection needed. - Keeps time in the background: Leave the app or lock your phone and the timer keeps running. You'll get a notification when a step ends and at every agitation. - Intervals: A built-in interval timer handles things like "beep after the first minute, then every 30 seconds." You'll see at a glance how long until your next inversion. - Darkroom Mode: A strict red-on-black theme for darkroom use. - Flexible: As many recipes and steps as you like, steps of up to 90 minutes, named your way, with notes for every recipe. - Easy to read: A large timer you can see across the room, styled after a classic camera body, right down to the vulcanite. - Import: Bring in recipes straight from FilmDev.org. - Share: Send a recipe as a file with Mail, Messages, AirDrop or anything else on the share sheet. No more losing track of time or forgetting to agitate every 30 seconds. Concentrate on being the best photographer and alchemist you can be, and leave the timing to Develop! Now go out there and shoot a roll of film. Good luck! 100% free. Always.

Screenshots

Reciprocity Timer4 screens
Develop! Film Timer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Develop! Film Timer at 89% against Reciprocity Timer's 32%. Develop! Film Timer also leads on price (Free vs $1.99) and rating (4.8 vs 2.5). Reciprocity Timer's advantage is iOS requirement (12.0 vs 17.0). On 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

Develop! Film Timer is free to download; Reciprocity Timer costs $1.99 up front. Reciprocity Timer sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Develop! Film Timer asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Develop! Film Timer holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 2.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Develop! Film Timer has 416 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 32% of Reciprocity Timer's written reviews are positive against 89% of Develop! Film Timer's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Reciprocity Timer ships an update every 2 months, Develop! Film Timer every 4 weeks. Both last shipped on November 13, 2026.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
Reciprocity Timer versus Develop! Film Timer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterReciprocity TimerDevelop! Film Timer
Price$1.99Free — better
Rating2.5 (4 ratings)4.8 (416 ratings) — better
Positive reviews32.3% of reviews88.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings4416 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 4 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPod, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS12.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size28 MB7 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPump InteractiveTodd Breslow

Customer experience

Reciprocity Timer

All ratings4 ratings
Positive25.0%
Neutral25.0%
Negative50.0%
Written reviews99 reviews
Positive32.3%
Neutral15.2%
Negative52.5%

Develop! Film Timer

All ratings374 ratings
Positive95.2%
Neutral1.9%
Negative2.9%
Written reviews115 reviews
Positive88.7%
Neutral6.1%
Negative5.2%

Bugs and requests

Reciprocity Timer

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Develop! Film Timer

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Crashes on startup for some users
  • Timer stops when switching apps or locking phone
  • Issues with saving and editing recipes

Requested features

7 requests
  • Ability to pause and resume timers
  • Option to clone/duplicate existing recipes
  • Integration with development charts or databases
  • More detailed task descriptions and notes
  • Ability to skip optional steps
Show 2 more
  • Larger font size for better visibility
  • Background music playback without interruption

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Reciprocity Timer

One-time1
  • Reciprocity Timer Pro$9.99
None

Develop! Film Timer

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Reciprocity Timer free?
Reciprocity Timer costs $1.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is Develop! Film Timer free?
Develop! Film Timer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Reciprocity Timer or Develop! Film Timer?
Develop! Film Timer is rated higher. Reciprocity Timer averages 2.5 out of 5 from 4 ratings, while Develop! Film Timer averages 4.8 from 416 ratings.
Do Reciprocity Timer or Develop! Film Timer have ads?
Neither Reciprocity Timer nor Develop! Film Timer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Reciprocity Timer or Develop! Film Timer?
Reciprocity Timer ships an update every 2 months, and Develop! Film Timer every 4 weeks. Most recently, Reciprocity Timer was updated on November 13, 2026 and Develop! Film Timer on November 13, 2026.

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