Comparison

Chronodev vs Darkroom Toolkit

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Read full description

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.

About

Darkroom Toolkit

Features
Read full description

Process film and print in the darkroom, without the math. Darkroom Toolkit is a reference library and set of utilities for film processing and darkroom printing. Browse hundreds of photochemistry formulas, run step-by-step development timers with official manufacturer dev times, and handle common calculations – all in one app. WHY DARKROOM TOOLKIT? • One app instead of separate dev chart, formula, and printing calculator apps • Primary features are free: all darkroom chemistry formulas, official processes, and calculators included • Lifetime Pro unlock for saving favorites, custom workflows, and to support the project FILM DEVELOPING • Pre-configured timers for manufacturer-recommended film + developer combinations • Multi-step processing with optional audio alerts • iOS Live Activity: see your timer on the lock screen • Low light / safelight theme for working in the dark FORMULAS & CHEMISTRY • Extensive darkroom cookbook: developers, toners, lith, alt process, and more • Enter your target volume and every ingredient amount scales automatically • Dilution and solution strength conversion utilities DARKROOM PRINTING • f-Stop printing calculator: exposure sequences and test strip times • Print resizing calculator: new exposure times when changing print size PRO FEATURES (one-time purchase) • Save favorite processes and formulas • Create and edit custom recipes and processing timers • Sync your workflows across devices Whether you're developing your first roll of black and white film, mixing chemistry for cyanotype, or dialing in enlarger exposures, Darkroom Toolkit keeps you consistent. Download free. Upgrade once, yours forever.

Screenshots

Chronodev3 screens
Darkroom Toolkit4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Chronodev at none against Darkroom Toolkit's 1. Darkroom Toolkit's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs monthly). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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. Darkroom Toolkit sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Chronodev asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Chronodev ships an update monthly, Darkroom Toolkit fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on June 7, 2026 and September 19, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Chronodev versus Darkroom Toolkit: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterChronodevDarkroom Toolkit
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (2 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings2 — better—
Update frequencyMonthlyFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS17.016.4 — better
Further details — not scored
Size2 MB59 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperKevin OlmatsRobert House

In-app purchases

None

Chronodev

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Darkroom Toolkit

One-time1
  • Darkroom Toolkit Pro$9.99

Questions

Is Chronodev free?
Chronodev is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Darkroom Toolkit free?
Darkroom Toolkit is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Chronodev or Darkroom Toolkit have ads?
Neither Chronodev nor Darkroom Toolkit shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Chronodev or Darkroom Toolkit?
Chronodev ships an update monthly, and Darkroom Toolkit fortnightly. Most recently, Chronodev was updated on June 7, 2026 and Darkroom Toolkit on September 19, 2026.

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