Comparison

Prelens Camera vs theLAB

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

Head to head
About

Prelens Camera

Apply photo presets as live filters to capture images exactly as you envision them, eliminating the need for post-shoot editing. Import .xmp presets from popular editing tools for instant, ready-to-post photos.

Highlights
  • Realtime preset filters
  • Import .xmp presets
  • Instant photo capture
  • No post-editing required
  • Direct social media posting
Read full description

Prelens Camera lets you shoot photos with photo presets applied as realtime filters. + Preview your look before you take the photo + Capture exactly what you want + Skip editing completely Realtime preset camera Import .xmp presets from your favorite editing tools (like Lightroom) and use them as live camera filters - realtime preset preview - photo filters for camera - instant capture with effects applied No wasted time editing photos after shooting With Prelens Camera, your photos are ready instantly: - no additional editing needed - no extra apps - no back-and-forth adjustments - shoot → post → done Prelens Camera is designed for: - Photographers - Content creators - Social media managers - Perfect for instagram, tiktok, and content production Coming soon: - expanded Lightroom effects and adjustments support - RAW capture support - improved zero processing capture - edits intensity adjustment - advanced camera controls - expanded preset selection

About

theLAB

Create film-inspired photos with advanced controls for color, texture, and scan effects. Apply realistic grain, borders, and light leaks to achieve a unique aesthetic. Save custom editing styles for consistent results.

Highlights
  • Film-inspired color and monochrome looks
  • Scanned grain and cinema-style grain
  • Lab scan profiles and correction
  • Halation, borders, textures, light leaks
  • Customizable editing styles
  • Camera capture and import tools
Features
Read full description

theLAB is a film-inspired photo editor for building finished images with color, texture, and scan character. Import an image, then shape it with film looks, scanned grain, lab-style color, halation, borders, paper textures, light leaks, artifacts, and crop tools. Designed for photographers who want more than a simple filter, theLAB gives you hands-on control over the feel of the image: density, warmth, tone bias, grain range, scan character, border placement, and finishing details. Features include: - Film-inspired color and monochrome looks - Scanned grain and cinema-style grain options - Lab scan profiles and scan correction controls - Halation, scanner noise, borders, textures, light leaks, and artifacts - Camera capture, photo import, file import, and share tools - Saved looks for building a repeatable editing style theLAB includes a free editing mode. theLAB Pro unlocks the full film stock library, advanced lab controls, additional grain scans, premium finishing assets, and high-quality export options. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://calebsalvadori.com/thelab

Screenshots

Prelens Camera3 screens
theLAB4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: theLAB at Free against Prelens Camera's $4.99. theLAB also leads on rating (5.0 vs 3.3) and update cadence (every 2 days vs every 6 weeks). Prelens Camera's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2). On review sentiment, ads 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

theLAB is free to download; Prelens Camera costs $4.99 up front. theLAB sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Prelens Camera asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

theLAB holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 13 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Prelens Camera ships an update every 6 weeks, theLAB every 2 days. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Prelens Camera versus theLAB: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPrelens CameratheLAB
Price$4.99Free — better
Rating3.3 (3 ratings)5.0 (13 ratings) — better
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings313 — better
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksEvery 2 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFreemium — better
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS26.017.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size42 MB298 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMarcel Jereb s.p.Caleb Salvadori

Customer experience

Prelens Camera

All ratings3 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

theLAB

All ratings13 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Prelens Camera

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

theLAB

Subscriptions1
  • theLAB Pro Monthly3 Days trial$9.991 Month
One-time1
  • theLAB Pro Lifetime$49.99

Questions

Is Prelens Camera free?
Prelens Camera costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is theLAB free?
theLAB is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Prelens Camera or theLAB?
theLAB is rated higher. Prelens Camera averages 3.3 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while theLAB averages 5.0 from 13 ratings.
Do Prelens Camera or theLAB have ads?
Neither Prelens Camera nor theLAB shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Prelens Camera or theLAB?
Prelens Camera ships an update every 6 weeks, and theLAB every 2 days. Most recently, Prelens Camera was updated on October 24, 2026 and theLAB on October 24, 2026.

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