Comparison

Reframe vs theLAB

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

Head to head
About

Reframe

Easily create polished image layouts for social media posts, carousels, and multi-page spreads. Customize backgrounds, borders, and aspect ratios. Mix photo orientations without cropping issues and arrange your sequence before exporting.

Highlights
  • Multiple layout options (Single, Split, Rows, Grid)
  • Customizable aspect ratios and frame sizes
  • Background color and border options
  • Seamlessly mix photo orientations
  • Drag to fine-tune image crops
  • Reorder photos and pages for carousels
  • Export all pages at once in full resolution
Features
Read full description

Reframe makes it easy to create polished image layouts for posts, carousels, and multi-page spreads in just a few taps. No subscriptions. No ads. CHOOSE A LAYOUT Start with a layout that matches your idea. Use Single to feature one standout image. Use Split to turn one image into a seamless multi-page spread that swipes across a carousel. Use Rows or Columns for before-and-after shots or to show multiple photos together. Use Grid to display a collection or photo series. CUSTOMISE THE PAGE Match your layout to any platform or style. Pick the aspect ratio you need so your post fits where you’re uploading. Adjust frame size for a bit of breathing room around your images. Choose a background color that complements your photos. Add a clean border for a polished, gallery-style finish. APPLY SETTINGS YOUR WAY Keep every page consistent with shared settings. Or customize individual pages when you need more control. FILL THE FRAME Mix vertical, horizontal, and square photos in one layout without worrying about cropping (unless you want to!). Toggle Fill Page so your images expand to use all available space. Tap any image to select it, then drag to fine-tune the crop so the focus is exactly where you want it. PREVIEW YOUR LAYOUT Minimise the controls with one swipe and let your layout fill the screen. Review the final look before you export and post. ARRANGE YOUR SEQUENCE Plan your story from first swipe to last. Reorder photos and pages in your carousel to plan the sequence before exporting. EASY EXPORT Export every page at once with a single tap. Smart sizing options select the best resolution to preserve the details in your photos, or go fully custom and set the exact long or short edge size you need. Optionally include your photo’s original metadata. Choose JPEG for best compatibility or HEIC for smaller files with excellent image quality. PRIVATE PHOTO PICKER Reframe uses the built-in iOS photo picker. Only the photos you explicitly select are shared with the app, keeping the rest of your library private. DESIGNED FOR iOS Reframe feels fast and responsive on iPhone, with smooth animations and subtle haptic feedback that makes editing layouts feel effortless and precise.

About

theLAB

Create film-inspired photos with advanced controls for color, texture, and scan effects. Apply realistic grain, borders, and light leaks to achieve a unique aesthetic. Save custom editing styles for consistent results.

Highlights
  • Film-inspired color and monochrome looks
  • Scanned grain and cinema-style grain
  • Lab scan profiles and correction
  • Halation, borders, textures, light leaks
  • Customizable editing styles
  • Camera capture and import tools
Features
Read full description

theLAB is a film-inspired photo editor for building finished images with color, texture, and scan character. Import an image, then shape it with film looks, scanned grain, lab-style color, halation, borders, paper textures, light leaks, artifacts, and crop tools. Designed for photographers who want more than a simple filter, theLAB gives you hands-on control over the feel of the image: density, warmth, tone bias, grain range, scan character, border placement, and finishing details. Features include: - Film-inspired color and monochrome looks - Scanned grain and cinema-style grain options - Lab scan profiles and scan correction controls - Halation, scanner noise, borders, textures, light leaks, and artifacts - Camera capture, photo import, file import, and share tools - Saved looks for building a repeatable editing style theLAB includes a free editing mode. theLAB Pro unlocks the full film stock library, advanced lab controls, additional grain scans, premium finishing assets, and high-quality export options. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://calebsalvadori.com/thelab

Screenshots

Reframe4 screens
theLAB4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Reframe at none against theLAB's 2. theLAB's advantage is update cadence (every 2 days vs every 3 weeks) and ratings volume (13 vs 4). On price, rating, 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. theLAB sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Reframe asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Reframe against 5.0 for theLAB. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 4 and 13 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Reframe ships an update every 3 weeks, theLAB every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and October 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Reframe versus theLAB: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterReframetheLAB
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (4 ratings)5.0 (13 ratings)
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings413 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 2 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFreemium
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS26.017.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size2 MB298 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDouglas NeishCaleb Salvadori

Customer experience

Reframe

All ratings4 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

theLAB

All ratings13 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Reframe

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

theLAB

Subscriptions1
  • theLAB Pro Monthly3 Days trial$9.991 Month
One-time1
  • theLAB Pro Lifetime$49.99

Questions

Is Reframe free?
Reframe is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is theLAB free?
theLAB is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Reframe or theLAB?
Reframe and theLAB are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 4 and 13 ratings respectively.
Do Reframe or theLAB have ads?
Neither Reframe nor theLAB shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Reframe or theLAB?
Reframe ships an update every 3 weeks, and theLAB every 2 days. Most recently, Reframe was updated on October 7, 2026 and theLAB on October 23, 2026.

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