Comparison

Cobalt Image vs Film Simulator

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

Head to head
About

Cobalt Image

Enhance your iPhone photos with advanced AI, HDR, and smart portrait modes. This app offers unparalleled control over non-raw images, featuring cutting-edge white balance and Luma curve adjustments. Access renowned digital and film emulations for professional-level editing.

Highlights
  • AI-enhanced picture processing
  • HDR and smart portrait modes
  • Advanced color models for HEIC files
  • Unprecedented control over non-raw photos
  • White balance and Luma curve adjustments
  • Renowned digital and film emulations
  • Direct editing from Apple Photos
Features
Read full description

Please note that Cobalt Image PHOTO is available through subscription plans. The Full Access Yearly subscription provides a 7-day trial period during which you can try the full app and decide to cancel at any time. Our Digital and Film packs are renowned for their accuracy and are now available for all images taken by your favorite device. Your AI-enhanced pictures with HDR and smart portrait mode will be the starting point for our emulations. Cobalt Image PHOTO introduces a new advanced tool powered by the latest color models, specifically designed for treating AI-enhanced iPhone HEIC files. Leveraging the best color science available, it enhances and edits your cherished memories captured by the iPhone. Experience unparalleled freedom with our image editor, where you’ll be astonished by the unprecedented level of control over your non-raw photos. Our advanced color pipeline, featuring cutting-edge white balance and Luma curve adjustments, elevates the app to extraordinary heights, setting a new standard in photo editing. Features: - A complete set of renowned emulations made by Cobalt, both Digital and Film (Film available on Full Access subscription) - Advanced BW scientific conversion - Advanced White Balance - Luma curve on CIECAM16 - RGB curves on ProPhoto - Brightness, Contrast, Saturation all on CIECAM16 - Clarity - Structure - Advanced grain - Vignette The app can also be accessed directly from Apple Photos through the sharing function, allowing for direct editing of the selected photo. Standard Apple Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Film Simulator

Apply classic film aesthetics to your digital photos with a variety of film-inspired LUTs. This app offers an intuitive interface for easily adding a unique, retro, and timeless feel to your images, perfect for both professionals and enthusiasts.

Highlights
  • Apply film-inspired LUTs
  • User-friendly Material3 interface
  • Add nostalgic photo touches
  • Retro aesthetic for images
  • Timeless photo feel
Features
Read full description

FilmSimulator brings the charm of classic film to your digital images. With an intuitive interface and a variety of film-like LUTs (Look-Up Tables), you can easily apply a unique, retro aesthetic to your photos. Whether you’re a professional photographer or just love the classic film style, FilmSimulator offers an easy way to give your images that timeless feel. Key Features: • Apply a range of film-inspired LUTs to any photo • User-friendly interface powered by Material3 • Perfect for adding a nostalgic touch to your photos in just a few taps Download FilmSimulator today and bring your images to life with the classic beauty of film!

Screenshots

Cobalt Image4 screens
Film Simulator4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Film Simulator at 100% against Cobalt Image's 56%. Film Simulator also leads on rating (5.0 vs 2.3) and in-app purchases (none vs 3). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads 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. Cobalt Image sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.49 per month. Film Simulator asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Film Simulator holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 2.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 6 and 6 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 56% of Cobalt Image's written reviews are positive against 100% of Film Simulator's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Cobalt Image ships an update every 5 days, Film Simulator every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on July 19, 2026 and June 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Cobalt Image versus Film Simulator: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCobalt ImageFilm Simulator
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.3 (6 ratings)5.0 (6 ratings) — better
Positive reviews55.6% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings66
Update frequencyEvery 5 days — betterEvery 9 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationSubscriptionFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size203 MB39 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperCobalt Image LTDYahia Mostafa

Customer experience

Cobalt Image

All ratings6 ratings
Positive33.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative66.7%
Written reviews9 reviews
Positive55.6%
Neutral0.0%
Negative44.4%

Film Simulator

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews6 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Cobalt Image

Subscriptions3
  • Cobalt Image Pro Digital$3.491 Month
  • Cobalt Image Pro Monthly$5.491 Month
  • Cobalt Image Pro Yearly7 Days trial$44.991 Year
None

Film Simulator

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Cobalt Image free?
Cobalt Image is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Film Simulator free?
Film Simulator is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Cobalt Image or Film Simulator?
Film Simulator is rated higher. Cobalt Image averages 2.3 out of 5 from 6 ratings, while Film Simulator averages 5.0 from 6 ratings.
Do Cobalt Image or Film Simulator have ads?
Neither Cobalt Image nor Film Simulator shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Cobalt Image or Film Simulator?
Cobalt Image ships an update every 5 days, and Film Simulator every 9 days. Most recently, Cobalt Image was updated on July 19, 2026 and Film Simulator on June 10, 2026.

Other comparisons