Comparison

Darkroom Toolkit vs DisparaTimer

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

Head to head
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 โ€“ all in one app. WHY DARKROOM TOOLKIT? โ€ข One app instead of separate dev chart, formula, and printing calculator apps โ€ข Primary features are free: all darkroom chemistry formulas, official processes, and calculators included โ€ข Lifetime Pro unlock for saving favorites, custom workflows, and to support the project FILM DEVELOPING โ€ข Pre-configured timers for manufacturer-recommended film + developer combinations โ€ข Multi-step processing with optional audio alerts โ€ข iOS Live Activity: see your timer on the lock screen โ€ข Low light / safelight theme for working in the dark FORMULAS & CHEMISTRY โ€ข Extensive darkroom cookbook: developers, toners, lith, alt process, and more โ€ข Enter your target volume and every ingredient amount scales automatically โ€ข Dilution and solution strength conversion utilities DARKROOM PRINTING โ€ข f-Stop printing calculator: exposure sequences and test strip times โ€ข Print resizing calculator: new exposure times when changing print size PRO FEATURES (one-time purchase) โ€ข Save favorite processes and formulas โ€ข Create and edit custom recipes and processing timers โ€ข 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.

About

DisparaTimer

Features
Read full description

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

Darkroom Toolkit4 screens
DisparaTimer4 screens

Verdict

The call

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 monthly). On price, ads and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price ยท Rating ยท Positive reviews ยท Number of ratings ยท Update frequency ยท Ads ยท In-app purchases ยท Monetization ยท Best chart rank ยท Devices ยท Requires iOS

CostPrice ยท In-app purchases ยท Ads ยท Monetization

Both are free to download. Darkroom Toolkit sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. DisparaTimer asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Darkroom Toolkit ships an update fortnightly, DisparaTimer monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 19, 2026 and June 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences ยท 3 level
Darkroom Toolkit versus DisparaTimer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDarkroom ToolkitDisparaTimer
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyFortnightly โ€” betterMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo โ€” better
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad, iPod โ€” better
Requires iOS16.415.5 โ€” better
Further details โ€” not scored
Size59 MB2 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRobert HouseAngel David Rodriguez

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Darkroom Toolkit

One-time1
  • Darkroom Toolkit Pro$9.99
None

DisparaTimer

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Darkroom Toolkit free?
Darkroom Toolkit is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is DisparaTimer free?
DisparaTimer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Darkroom Toolkit or DisparaTimer have ads?
Neither Darkroom Toolkit nor DisparaTimer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Darkroom Toolkit or DisparaTimer?
Darkroom Toolkit ships an update fortnightly, and DisparaTimer monthly. Most recently, Darkroom Toolkit was updated on September 19, 2026 and DisparaTimer on June 5, 2026.

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