# Shutterbug Camera Shops vs The Darkroom Lab

The clearest difference is rating: The Darkroom Lab at 3.7 against Shutterbug Camera Shops's 2.0. The Darkroom Lab also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 6 months). Shutterbug Camera Shops's advantage is review sentiment (60% vs 45%) and iOS requirement (12 vs 15.1). On price, 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 Darkroom Lab holds the better App Store score, 3.7 against 2.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: The Darkroom Lab has 90 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 60% of Shutterbug Camera Shops's written reviews are positive against 45% of The Darkroom Lab's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Shutterbug Camera Shops ships an update every 6 months, The Darkroom Lab every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 4, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Shutterbug Camera Shops | The Darkroom Lab |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.0 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shutterbug-camera-shops/id511957593/reviews) | **[3.7 (90 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-darkroom-lab/id1528784514/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 4 | **90** |
| Positive reviews | **60.0% of reviews** | 44.7% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 6 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Ad-supported | **Free** |
| Size | 57 MB | 52 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12** | 15.1 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Shutterbug Camera Shop](https://appshunter.io/developer/1628418762) | [The Darkroom](https://appshunter.io/developer/1528784516) |

## What reviewers say

### Shutterbug Camera Shops

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shutterbug-camera-shops/id511957593)

Easily upload photos from your device to create and order high-quality prints. Choose from various print sizes and materials, then pick them up at one of two California locations.

**Highlights:** Upload photos from device, Order high-quality prints, Multiple print sizes and materials, Convenient local pickup, Create and manage online photo collection

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### The Darkroom Lab

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-darkroom-lab/id1528784514)

View your developed film photos as soon as they are scanned. This app connects you to a professional film developing service with decades of experience.

**Highlights:** View scanned film photos, Professional film developing, Experienced lab professionals, Access photos as soon as scanned

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Shutterbug Camera Shops free?

Shutterbug Camera Shops is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is The Darkroom Lab free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Shutterbug Camera Shops or The Darkroom Lab?

The Darkroom Lab is rated higher. Shutterbug Camera Shops averages 2.0 out of 5 from 4 ratings, while The Darkroom Lab averages 3.7 from 90 ratings.

### Do Shutterbug Camera Shops or The Darkroom Lab have ads?

Shutterbug Camera Shops shows ads; The Darkroom Lab does not.

### Which is updated more often, Shutterbug Camera Shops or The Darkroom Lab?

Shutterbug Camera Shops ships an update every 6 months, and The Darkroom Lab every 3 weeks. Most recently, Shutterbug Camera Shops was updated on October 4, 2026 and The Darkroom Lab on October 16, 2026.

---

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