Comparison

DevelopFilm vs dial

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

Head to head
About

DevelopFilm

This app is a pocket darkroom companion for black-and-white film development. It offers official developing times, a smart timer with agitation guidance, and full process control. Track your film details and parameters in a built-in journal to refine your workflow and achieve consistent results.

Highlights
  • Official developing times database
  • Smart timer with agitation guidance
  • Full process control adjustments
  • Built-in film roll journal
  • Quick custom timer
  • Darkroom-ready minimal interface
Features
Read full description

Your pocket darkroom for black-and-white film. DevelopFilm is a complete darkroom companion designed to help you develop film with confidence — whether it’s your first roll or your hundredth. Official developing times: Access precise data from manufacturer datasheets for Adox, Bergger, Foma, Fujifilm, Ilford, Kentmere, Kodak, Rollei, and more. The library is continuously expanding. Smart timer with agitation guidance: Run a clean dual-phase timer for developing and fixing, with built-in agitation reminders and visual alerts. Full process control: Adjust by temperature, developer reuse, push/pull stops, processing vessel, fixer, stop bath, toners, and more — everything that affects your final look. Built-in journal: Keep track of every roll. Save your film details, developing parameters, notes, and photos so you can repeat your best results or refine your workflow. Quick Timer: Need flexibility? Set a custom time and start developing instantly. Darkroom-ready design: A minimal, dark-mode interface that stays readable under safe lights and keeps you focused on the process. Whether you’re new to film developing or refining your craft, DevelopFilm helps you stay consistent, learn faster, and enjoy every step of the process. Upgrade to Darkroom Pass to unlock pro features like push/pull adjustments, fixer timer, and photo journaling. Terms of Use: mirnijatom.github.io/terms.html Privacy Policy: mirnijatom.github.io/privacy.html

About

dial

Features
Read full description

Film development, your way. dial is a focused film development timer for iPhone and iPad. Keep your chemistry in view, set up your process and give each bath the time it needs. STAY WITH THE PROCESS A large, clear countdown shows your current step and total time remaining. Between baths, dial pauses until you are ready to start the next step. EVERY STEP. YOUR WAY. Create custom steps and adjust their durations to match your process. Save your setup as a preset and return to it for your next roll. KNOW YOUR CHEMISTRY Keep chemical mix dates and processed-roll counts together. Connect a saved preset to a chemical so your setup is ready when you are. A GLANCE. BACK TO IT. Follow the countdown on the Lock Screen and Dynamic Island on supported devices. Allow alarms to receive step alerts while dial is in the background. MADE FOR YOUR WORKSPACE Follow your system appearance or choose Light or Dark Mode. Sound and haptic settings let you choose your cues. No account required. Your inventory, presets and timer settings stay on your device. Set step times to match your film and chemical instructions.

Screenshots

DevelopFilm4 screens
dial4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: dial at none against DevelopFilm's 3. dial also leads on update cadence (every 5 days vs every 11 days). 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. DevelopFilm sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. dial asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

DevelopFilm ships an update every 11 days, dial every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on November 14, 2026 and November 13, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
DevelopFilm versus dial: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDevelopFilmdial
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (4 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings4 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 11 daysEvery 5 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS26.0 — better26.5
Further details — not scored
Size30 MB9 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAleksandrs BertulisMICHAEL CHEN

In-app purchases

3 purchases

DevelopFilm

Subscriptions2
  • Darkroom Pass Monthly7 Days trial$2.991 Month
  • Darkroom Pass Yearly7 Days trial$17.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime Pro$44.99
None

dial

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is DevelopFilm free?
DevelopFilm is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is dial free?
dial is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do DevelopFilm or dial have ads?
Neither DevelopFilm nor dial shows ads.
Which is updated more often, DevelopFilm or dial?
DevelopFilm ships an update every 11 days, and dial every 5 days. Most recently, DevelopFilm was updated on November 14, 2026 and dial on November 13, 2026.

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