Comparison

GR Mate vs GR Lab

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

Head to head
About

GR Mate

Features
Read full description

The first app can automatically recognize recipe information in RICOH GR photos, support GR II、GR III、GR IIIx、GR III HDF、GR IIIx HDF、GR IV、GR IV HDF, enabling automatic recipe identification and sharing recipes with others in poster format. Automatic Recipe Import GR Mate offers two methods for automatic recipe import: importing from original GR camera images and from GR Mate posters. 1.1 Importing from Original GR Camera Images Users only need to select an original photo taken by the GR camera from the photo album, and GR Mate will recognize the recipe information within. 1.2 Importing from GR Mate Posters Users can import GR posters shared by others, and GR Mate will recognize the recipe information and sample images contained within. 1.3 How to Create a GR Mate Poster? After creating a recipe, users can tap the "Poster" button to generate a poster containing the sample image and recipe information, which can be shared with others through various channels. Diverse Display Options GR Mate provides three recipe display modes: waterfall view, icon view, and list view. The list view also supports grouped display. Automatic Cloud Sync All recipes saved in GR Mate support iCloud cloud synchronization. Important reminds: GR Mate is an independently developed app and is not an official application of RICOH GR. It has no affiliation with RICOH Company. Thank you for your understanding. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://www.freeprivacypolicy.com/live/3cc45ecb-9ad6-4160-9479-9617a6647dcd

About

GR Lab

Enhance your Ricoh GR camera experience with this app. Create and manage custom presets, organize your photos in an aesthetic album, and extract images from social media. Connect and control your camera remotely, and track your shooting history.

Highlights
  • Custom preset library
  • Aesthetic photo album with tags/notes
  • AI-powered image extraction
  • Wi-Fi/Bluetooth camera connection
  • Remote camera control with live view
  • Shooting log and history visualization
  • Preset card sharing
Features
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Designed for RICOH GR II, GR III, and GR IV GR IV Monochrome series cameras. From photography recipes and wireless photo transfers to remote shooting and daily photo journals, GR Lab brings everything together for a simpler, more creative photography experience. Make photography easier. Capture every inspiration. ■ Photography Recipe Library Collect your favorite colors and create your own recipes. - Create, edit, and manage photography recipes - Recognize settings from original photos - Record, adjust, and share recipe parameters - Organize your favorite photography styles ■ Inspiration Album More than recipes, your personal inspiration collection. - Save favorite photos without creating recipes - Add tags, notes, and custom gallery layouts - Build your own collection of visual inspiration ■ Smart Image Extraction Discover, extract, and save inspiring photos. - Extract images from social media links - Save high-quality photos to albums or projects - AI-powered photography recipe recognition ■ Camera Connection & Photo Transfer Connect your GR and enjoy seamless wireless transfers. Supported cameras: GR II, GR III, GR IIIx, GR III HDF, GR IIIx HDF, GR IV, GR IV HDF, GR IV Monochrome. - Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity - High-quality previews and fast photo transfers - Up to 10 simultaneous downloads - Background transfer support - Firmware update checks - Sync date, time, and location - Improved connection speed and stability ■ Remote Camera Control Turn your phone into a camera remote. - Real-time live view and tap to focus - Remotely adjust camera settings - Use volume buttons to trigger the shutter - Manual and automatic preview rotation ■ Apply Recipes to Camera Apply your favorite settings without manual adjustments. - Apply saved recipes with one tap - Quickly sync recipe parameters - Supports GR II and GR IV,GR IV Monochrome series ■ Photo Check-in Capture your everyday photography journey. - Record photos, locations, moods, and notes - Edit and manage previous check-ins - Shooting maps and photography statistics - Multiple and custom camera support - iCloud sync for check-in records ■ Recipe Sharing Cards - Create beautiful recipe sharing cards - Choose from multiple card designs - Share photos and camera settings ■ Photography Tools - Recipe parameter recognition - Shutter count checker - Original photo verification - Serial number and manufacturing date lookup ■ Live Activities & Dynamic Island - Track photo download progress - View transfer status in Dynamic Island ■ iCloud Data Sync - Sync projects, check-ins, and camera devices - View sync status and sync manually ■ Personalization - Light and dark themes - Multiple project gallery layouts - Custom app icons - Smooth performance and no ads ■ Why Choose GR Lab? Built for GR photographers, GR Lab combines recipes, photo transfers, remote shooting, and daily photography records in one simple, intuitive app. ■ Thank You & Feedback GR Lab is continuously evolving. Thank you for your support! If you encounter any issues or have suggestions, please feel free to contact me. Your feedback helps make GR Lab better. Enjoying GR Lab? A five-star App Store rating would mean a lot! Your encouragement keeps me motivated to improve the app. Xiaohongshu (RED): 若水 Email: wdklog@gmail.com Privacy Policy: https://www.privacypolicies.com/live/7c5b1603-e0c0-4bc9-b1a0-0155da718feb Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ This product is not affiliated with RICOH.

Screenshots

GR Mate4 screens
GR Lab4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: GR Lab at every 9 days against GR Mate's every 2 months. GR Lab also leads on device support (3 vs 1). On price, ads, in-app purchases 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. GR Mate sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month and GR Lab sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

GR Mate ships an update every 2 months, GR Lab every 9 days. Both last shipped on November 4, 2026.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
GR Mate versus GR Lab: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGR MateGR Lab
PriceFreeFree
Rating—4.1 (24 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—50.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—24 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 9 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
Monetization—Freemium
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS18.017.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size22 MB57 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer小磊 孙定康 王

In-app purchases

2 purchases

GR Mate

Subscriptions1
  • Subscribe GR Mate Monthly$1.991 Month
One-time1
  • Purchase GR Mate Permanently$7.99
6 purchases

GR Lab

Subscriptions4
  • GR Lab-7-day member$1.997 Days
  • GR Lab-Monthly Membership3 Days trial$2.991 Month
  • GR Lab - Pro Annual Member3 Days trial$9.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • GR Lab-年度会员$14.991 Year
One-time2
  • GR Lab-Pro Lifetime$9.99
  • GR Lab-LIfetime Pro$24.99

Questions

Is GR Mate free?
GR Mate is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is GR Lab free?
GR Lab is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do GR Mate or GR Lab have ads?
Neither GR Mate nor GR Lab shows ads.
Which is updated more often, GR Mate or GR Lab?
GR Mate ships an update every 2 months, and GR Lab every 9 days. Most recently, GR Mate was updated on November 4, 2026 and GR Lab on November 4, 2026.

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