Comparison

Darkroom Toolkit vs ShutterMeter

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — 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 – 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.

About

ShutterMeter

Features
Read full description

Has your old camera's shutter slowed down? ShutterMeter uses your iPhone's microphone to analyze the sounds of a mechanical shutter and estimate the interval between opening and closing. Compare it with the selected speed, check repeatability, and keep a test history for each camera. Repeat each speed three times Choose a camera and speed, then follow the measurement flow. Save three Clear signal results before moving to the next speed. Results with complex signals are marked separately and do not count toward the health map. Shutter health map See the median deviation and spread of the latest three clear results at each speed, along with how many speeds you have tested. Find gaps or speeds that need another check, then share a text report through the system share sheet. The report is a shooting and maintenance reference, not a calibration certificate. Archive backup and CSV export Export camera details and measurements as a JSON backup. On another iPhone, choose the file, preview new and duplicate items, then confirm the merge. Items with the same identifiers keep their local versions; existing records are not overwritten. Export CSV files to view raw timings, UTC timestamps and signal grades in a spreadsheet. Exported measurements are diagnostic references, not calibration certificates. For an offline export, choose On My iPhone > this app's folder > Exports in Files. The folder may be named ShutterMeter or 快门测速仪, depending on language. This app folder is part of the app's sandbox and is deleted when you delete the app. Save important backups to iCloud Drive or another location outside this app folder; those independent copies survive deletion of ShutterMeter. Camera log Search by camera name or notes, and edit details without losing measurements. Create a profile for each camera and browse measurements and deviation trends by speed. Save results without a camera to Unfiled and assign them later. Clear signal results include exposure compensation guidance. Your local records remain available to view. Supported speeds This version provides microphone measurement for 11 nominal speeds from 1 second to 1/60 second, including the vintage 1/5, 1/10, 1/25 and 1/50 settings. Camera mode is not enabled. Measurement at 1/100 and faster is not supported. ShutterMeter is an audio analysis aid. Its accuracy across all supported speeds has not been validated against a physical shutter tester. Clear signal describes how well the sound events can be distinguished in that recording; it is not an accuracy certification. Mirror slap, background noise and shutter design can affect the result. Repeat the test before using a result as a shooting reference. Not every mechanical shutter will produce a usable result. Designed for iPhone The colorful interface supports Dark Mode, Dynamic Type and VoiceOver, with clear controls to save, repeat, finish a test run and close sheets. Data and purchase Audio recording and analysis take place on your iPhone. The app does not automatically upload measurement data. When you share a report or export a file, the selected data goes to the app or file service you choose. System device backups may also include local records. Archive backups do not include audio, purchase receipts or free-measurement counts. Use Restore Purchases to recover an existing purchase on another phone. Purchases and restoring purchases require an App Store connection. Your first 10 measurements that produce a result are free. Attempts that do not detect usable shutter sounds do not use a free measurement. A one-time purchase unlocks unlimited measurements, with no subscription or ads.

Screenshots

Darkroom Toolkit4 screens
ShutterMeter4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: ShutterMeter at none against Darkroom Toolkit's 1. ShutterMeter also leads on update cadence (every 2 days vs fortnightly). 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. ShutterMeter asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Darkroom Toolkit ships an update fortnightly, ShutterMeter every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and October 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 4 level
Darkroom Toolkit versus ShutterMeter: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDarkroom ToolkitShutterMeter
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyFortnightlyEvery 2 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
DevicesiPhoneiPhone
Requires iOS16.4 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size59 MB3 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRobert House正平 孙

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Darkroom Toolkit

One-time1
  • Darkroom Toolkit Pro$9.99
None

ShutterMeter

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Darkroom Toolkit free?
Darkroom Toolkit is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is ShutterMeter free?
ShutterMeter is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Darkroom Toolkit or ShutterMeter have ads?
Neither Darkroom Toolkit nor ShutterMeter shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Darkroom Toolkit or ShutterMeter?
Darkroom Toolkit ships an update fortnightly, and ShutterMeter every 2 days. Most recently, Darkroom Toolkit was updated on October 7, 2026 and ShutterMeter on October 4, 2026.

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