Chronodev vs Photo Timers
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Chronodev
This app transforms your iPhone or iPad into a darkroom enlarger timer. It uses HomeKit-enabled devices to control your enlarger and safelights, offering features like manual control, metronome for dodging/burning, and automatic test strip creation.
- iPhone/iPad enlarger timer
- HomeKit device control
- Manual enlarger focusing
- Metronome for dodging/burning
- EV stop time adjustments
- Automatic test strip creation
- Voice control support
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Transform your iPhone into an enlarger timer using Chronodev. Chronodev uses HomeKit-enabled wall plugs and lightbulbs to control your enlarger and safelights. Secondhand enlarger timers can be expensive and hard to find. This one costs the price of a wi-fi wall plug. - Control your enlarger and safelight with your iPhone or iPad - Expose prints accurately using the HomeKit-enabled timer - Manual enlarger control for focusing - Use the metronome for dodging and burning - Adjust times using EV stops - Automatically create test strips with incremental exposures, and keep track of exposure times using a handy graph - Automatically turn your safelight off when exposing/focusing - Voice control support for hands-free development - Safe to use in black and white darkrooms when using iOS's built-in red color filter A HomeKit-enabled wall plug and/or lightbulb is required to use all features of this app. Some features (like a basic timer and EV stop calculations) are available without a HomeKit-enabled device.
Photo Timers
This app offers three specialized timers for analog photographers. Features include a long exposure timer with audible pulses, a parallel development timer for multiple tanks, and a dim darkroom timer with a touchless reset. Navigate between timers with simple swipes.
- Long exposure timer with audible pulses
- Parallel development timer for multiple tanks
- Dim darkroom timer with touchless reset
- Swipe navigation between timers
- Suitable for use with gloves
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This app consists of three timers for analog photographers: Long Exposure Timer provides both a visible and audible pulse, allowing you to time long exposures without needing to look at your phone. You can place the phone in your pocket, wear a Bluetooth earbud, and let the pulse help you count seconds. Parallel Development Timer allows you to time each development tank independently, based on the specific process required. Dark Room Timer features a dim display suitable for darkroom use. The timer can be reset by slightly raising the phone by a few millimeters from a corner, even while wearing latex or safety gloves. You can return to the main view by swiping left or right on any of the individual timers or on this help page.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Photo Timers at 5.0 against Chronodev's 4.5. Chronodev's advantage is update cadence (monthly vs every 6 months). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Photo Timers holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 1 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.
Chronodev ships an update monthly, Photo Timers every 6 months. The most recent releases landed on September 29, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Chronodev | Photo Timers |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.5 (2 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 2 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Monthly — better | Every 6 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 — better | 18.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 2 MB | 1 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Kevin Olmats | Ari Jaaksi |
Customer experience
Chronodev
Photo Timers
In-app purchases
Chronodev
No in-app purchases
Photo Timers
No in-app purchases









