Filter Simulation vs GrayZone
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Filter Simulation
Simulate the effects of real optical filters for black and white photography. This app accurately mimics the luminance modulation of red, yellow, green, blue, and orange filters. It also includes an automatic shutter speed calculator for ND filters and a pinhole photography simulator.
- Simulate optical filters for B&W
- Mimics red, yellow, green, blue, orange filters
- Custom CIColorKernel shaders
- Automatic shutter speed calculator for ND filters
- Pinhole photograph simulation
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Simulate real optical filters in black & white. This app uses custom CIColorKernel shaders to modulate grayscale luminance based on color vector similarity—accurately mimicking red, yellow, green, blue, and orange filters as used in film photography. Then, if needed, save the filtered image with filter information. Then, swipe left and find an automatic shutter speed calculator for applying various ND filters And that's not all; keep on swiping and you can simulate pinhole photographs before shooting!
GrayZone
This app acts as a precise light meter for photographers, allowing you to measure light in specific areas of your scene. It helps achieve consistent exposure and accurate tonal representation, especially in challenging lighting conditions.
- Zone System Mode for tonal analysis
- Real SPOT metering for selected areas
- Direct exposure control with ISO, shutter speed, and aperture
- Live preview with native sensor ratio
- UI color inversion option
- No ads or data collection
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GrayZone reads light where you decide — not where your camera guesses. Built by Max of max&douglas — professional photographer with 25 years in editorial and advertising photography. Zone System Mode Measure a reference area first (Zone V), then check where the other tones will fall and their relative EV difference, for precise and consistent exposure. Real SPOT Metering Reads light exclusively in the area you select. Ideal for portraits, complex lighting and critical situations. Calibrated to render the selected area as neutral gray. Direct Exposure Control Set ISO before metering, like a dedicated light meter. Instant precise combinations of shutter speed and aperture. Exposure lock with AE LOCK. Half-stop support for finer control. MANUAL mode with over/underexposure scale. Essential Interface Live preview in your sensor's native ratio. NEW UI color inversion Shows only what you need. Nothing else. Complete Privacy No ads. No photos saved. No data collected or transmitted. For manual shooters — on film or digital. It does not replace your camera. It works alongside it.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Filter Simulation at Free against GrayZone's $2.99. Filter Simulation also leads on rating (5.0 vs 2.8) and review sentiment (100% vs 63%). GrayZone's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs monthly) and chart position (#36 vs unranked). On ratings volume, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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
Filter Simulation is free to download; GrayZone costs $2.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Filter Simulation holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 2.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 5 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of Filter Simulation's written reviews are positive against 63% of GrayZone's.
Filter Simulation ships an update monthly, GrayZone weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 18, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Filter Simulation | GrayZone |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $2.99 |
| Rating | 5.0 (3 ratings) — better | 2.8 (5 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better | 62.5% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 3 | 5 — better |
| Update frequency | Monthly | Weekly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free — better | Paid |
| Best chart rank | — | #36 — better |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 16.6 — better | 18.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 1 MB | 3 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Ari Jaaksi | Massimiliano Schenetti |
Customer experience
Filter Simulation
GrayZone
In-app purchases
Filter Simulation
No in-app purchases
GrayZone
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Filter Simulation free?
Is GrayZone free?
Which has better reviews, Filter Simulation or GrayZone?
Do Filter Simulation or GrayZone have ads?
Which is updated more often, Filter Simulation or GrayZone?
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