Comparison

Develop! vs Film Logbook

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

Head to head
About

Develop!

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! Film Development Timer is a flexible and elegant timer suitable for film and darkroom use. Create your own development recipes through a very simple and intuitive process. As many steps as you need with multiple intervals per step. It is entirely up to you, you are in full control. Notable Features: - Darkroom Mode: A minimalist red-on-black theme for darkroom use - Flexible: As many recipes as you like, as many steps per recipe as you like. Name your steps however you like. Record notes however you like. - Intuitive: Minimalist, elegant interface gets out of your way so there is nothing standing between you and your photography. Large timer is visible across the room. - Intervals: An integrated interval timer makes it easy to do things like “for this step please beep after the first minute and then every 30 seconds". You’ll know at-a-glance how much time until your next inversion. - Nostalgia: Great faux leather vulcanite covering - Import: Import recipes directly from FilmDev.org - Share. Tweet and post your recipes. Facebook, Twitter, Mail, Sina Weibo, Tencent Weibo are all supported. No more excuses that you lost track of time or forgot to agitate at a 30 seconds interval -- this is a thing of the past. Concentrate on being the best photographer and alchemist you can be, leave the timing to Develop!. Now go out there and shoot a roll of film! Good luck! 100% free. Always.

About

Film Logbook

This app helps film photographers meticulously organize their shooting process. It allows users to track every roll, frame, and setting, providing a structured workflow for documenting analog photography projects and refining shooting techniques.

Highlights
  • Manage film rolls with camera, lens, and film stock details
  • Log aperture, shutter speed, and exposure for each frame
  • Add reference images and tag frames
  • Mark double exposures and link related frames
  • Optional location tracking
  • Supports various film types and formats
  • iCloud sync
Features
Read full description

Film Logbook is a focused and reliable tool for keeping your film photography organized. Track every roll, every frame, and every setting so you always know what you shot and how you shot it. Whether you are documenting a long-term project, experimenting with exposure, or managing multiple cameras and film stocks, Film Logbook gives you a clear and structured workflow that fits naturally into the way you shoot analog. Use it while shooting to record the details that matter, and review your notes later when developing, scanning, or editing. No more guessing which film was loaded, what settings you used, or how a shot was composed. Main Features • Create and manage film rolls with camera, lens, film stock, ISO and custom notes • Log aperture, shutter speed, exposure compensation and meter readings for each frame • Add reference images for quick visual reminders when reviewing your work • Mark double exposures and link related frames • Tag frames to highlight keepers, mistakes, experiments or anything important to you • Optional location tracking for frames and rolls • iCloud sync for a seamless workflow • Supports 35mm, 120, large format and many other film types and formats • Designed to be fast, clean and distraction-free Why Film Photographers Choose Film Logbook • A consistent and reliable place to document every roll • A practical companion for learning exposure and refining technique • Clear structure that helps you understand your shooting habits • No subscription required and no unnecessary complexity • Actively developed with a focus on stability and real-world use Film Logbook is built for photographers who want a dependable tool to support their analog workflow from the first frame to the last. Simple, precise, and designed for long-term use.

Screenshots

Develop!4 screens
Film Logbook4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Develop! at 4.8 against Film Logbook's 4.2. Develop! also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 4) and ratings volume (374 vs 12). On price, update cadence, 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

Both are free to download. Film Logbook sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. Develop! asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Develop! holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Develop! has 374 ratings behind it against 12, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 89% of Develop!'s written reviews are positive against 78% of Film Logbook's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Develop! ships an update every 4 weeks, Film Logbook every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 30, 2026 and September 29, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Develop! versus Film Logbook: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDevelop!Film Logbook
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (374 ratings) — better4.2 (12 ratings)
Positive reviews88.7% of reviews — better77.8% of reviews
Number of ratings374 — better12
Update frequencyEvery 4 weeksEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS11.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size101 MB10 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTodd BreslowMichael Steurer

Customer experience

Develop!

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

Film Logbook

All ratings12 ratings
Positive75.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative25.0%
Written reviews9 reviews
Positive77.8%
Neutral0.0%
Negative22.2%

Bugs and requests

Develop!

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

Film Logbook

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Develop!

No in-app purchases

4 purchases

Film Logbook

One-time4
  • Small tip$0.99
  • Medium tip$2.99
  • Large tip$4.99
Show 1 more
  • Buy Pro$4.99

Questions

Is Develop! free?
Develop! is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Film Logbook free?
Film Logbook is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Develop! or Film Logbook?
Develop! is rated higher. Develop! averages 4.8 out of 5 from 374 ratings, while Film Logbook averages 4.2 from 12 ratings.
Do Develop! or Film Logbook have ads?
Neither Develop! nor Film Logbook shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Develop! or Film Logbook?
Develop! ships an update every 4 weeks, and Film Logbook every 3 weeks. Most recently, Develop! was updated on September 30, 2026 and Film Logbook on September 29, 2026.

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