# Filter Simulation vs GrayZone

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 (#25 vs unranked). On ratings volume, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | Filter Simulation | GrayZone |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $2.99 |
| Rating | **[5.0 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/filter-simulation/id6747726359/reviews)** | [2.8 (5 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/grayzone-light-meter/id6757147623/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 3 | **5** |
| Positive reviews | **100.0% of reviews** | 62.5% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Monthly | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Paid |
| Best chart rank | — | **#25** |
| Size | 1 MB | 3 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.6** | 18.6 |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Ari Jaaksi](https://appshunter.io/developer/1770069317) | [Massimiliano Schenetti](https://appshunter.io/developer/1864870280) |

## What reviewers say

### Filter Simulation

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/filter-simulation/id6747726359)

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.

**Highlights:** 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

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### GrayZone

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/grayzone-light-meter/id6757147623)

**Currently charting:** #25 Top Paid · Photo & Video (US App Store)

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.

**Highlights:** 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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Filter Simulation free?

Filter Simulation is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is GrayZone free?

GrayZone costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Filter Simulation or GrayZone?

Filter Simulation is rated higher. Filter Simulation averages 5.0 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while GrayZone averages 2.8 from 5 ratings.

### Do Filter Simulation or GrayZone have ads?

Neither Filter Simulation nor GrayZone shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Filter Simulation or GrayZone?

Filter Simulation ships an update monthly, and GrayZone weekly. Most recently, Filter Simulation was updated on September 18, 2026 and GrayZone on September 22, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*