Comparison

THE Tether vs theLAB

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

Head to head
About

THE Tether

Instantly review and manage photos wirelessly from your camera on your mobile device. This app facilitates a fast on-set workflow for photographers, allowing for image rating, RAW file matching, and organized export.

Highlights
  • Wireless JPG review while shooting
  • Support for Nikon, Sony, Canon cameras
  • Session-based photo management
  • Fullscreen review and rating
  • RAW matching and download
  • Export JPG and RAW files
Features
Read full description

THE Tether brings wireless tethering and on-set photo review from compatible Nikon, Canon and Sony cameras to Mac, iPhone and iPad. • JPG Only, JPG+RAW, RAW Only and Rated RAW modes • Sessions, filmstrip, full-screen review and ratings • Download matching RAW files for rated photos when available on the card • Recover supported missed captures after a connection interruption • Camera Import, Live View, remote shutter and settings on supported cameras • Export selected JPG/RAW files and XMP rating metadata • Connect up to four cameras, with one active Live View Mac adds Loupe, comparison and Second Display. Mobile controls and layouts differ. Connect the camera and app device to the same Wi-Fi router or smartphone hotspot. A 5GHz router is recommended. Features depend on protocol, firmware, authentication, camera capabilities, card contents and network conditions. Not every camera supports every feature. Premium offers monthly and yearly auto-renewable subscriptions. A seven-day free trial depends on the available offer and your eligibility. Check the local price, period and terms displayed by the App Store before purchase. Unless cancelled, a trial renews at the displayed price. Manage subscriptions in your App Store account and use Restore Purchases to recover existing access. THE Tether is independent and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by Nikon, Canon or Sony. EULA: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://dune-pixie-e84.notion.site/THE-tether-Privacy-Policy-3601d408edd98090b797f608872b583c

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

THE Tether4 screens
theLAB4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: theLAB at every 2 days against THE Tether's every 9 days. theLAB also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 86%). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. THE Tether sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month and theLAB sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

THE Tether ships an update every 9 days, theLAB every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
THE Tether versus theLAB: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTHE TethertheLAB
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (12 ratings) — better
Positive reviews85.7% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings—12 — better
Update frequencyEvery 9 daysEvery 2 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.617.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size50 MB296 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developerharyun songCaleb Salvadori

Customer experience

THE Tether

Written reviews7 reviews
Positive85.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative14.3%

theLAB

All ratings12 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

THE Tether

Subscriptions2
  • THE tether Monthly7 Days trial$3.991 Month
  • THE tether Yearly7 Days trial$34.991 Year
2 purchases

theLAB

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

Questions

Is THE Tether free?
THE Tether is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is theLAB free?
theLAB is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do THE Tether or theLAB have ads?
Neither THE Tether nor theLAB shows ads.
Which is updated more often, THE Tether or theLAB?
THE Tether ships an update every 9 days, and theLAB every 2 days. Most recently, THE Tether was updated on October 14, 2026 and theLAB on October 6, 2026.

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