Darkroom Toolkit vs DisparaTimer
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Darkroom Toolkit
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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.
DisparaTimer
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DisparaTimer is a mobile app that, when connected to a Raspberry Pico W/WH, can control the exposure time of a photographic enlarger using a power relay. The physical setup is inexpensive and easy to assemble. DisparaTimer has two operation modes. The first is a traditional timer mode, where you set a specific time for each exposure. The second is designed for creating test strips with constant fractional step increments over a base time. On iPad (iPadOS 17 and later), DisparaTimer includes a landscape-only notes panel that lets you add photos or images of your test strips and make handwritten or visual annotations directly on them.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: DisparaTimer at none against Darkroom Toolkit's 1. DisparaTimer also leads on device support (3 vs 1). Darkroom Toolkit's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 6 weeks). On price, ads 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
Both are free to download. Darkroom Toolkit sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. DisparaTimer asks for nothing beyond the download.
Darkroom Toolkit ships an update fortnightly, DisparaTimer every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Darkroom Toolkit | DisparaTimer |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly — better | Every 6 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 16.4 | 15.5 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 59 MB | 7 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Robert House | Angel David Rodriguez |
In-app purchases
Darkroom Toolkit
- Darkroom Toolkit Pro$9.99
DisparaTimer
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Darkroom Toolkit free?
Is DisparaTimer free?
Do Darkroom Toolkit or DisparaTimer have ads?
Which is updated more often, Darkroom Toolkit or DisparaTimer?
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