theLAB vs CN41P
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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
CN41P
This app offers a streamlined approach to developing DNG files from select cameras and iPhone ProRAW. It focuses on essential editing tools without a complex library, providing nine built-in looks and the ability to create custom ones. Your original files remain untouched, and you can export full-resolution JPEGs.
- Develop DNG files
- Nine built-in Looks
- Custom Look creation
- Essential editing controls
- Crop and straighten
- Export full-resolution JPEGs
- Works offline
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CN41P is a simple, focused editor for developing DNG files from Leica, Ricoh GR, and iPhone ProRAW. Open a photo and start developing. No library to manage. No endless filters to scroll through. Open DNGs directly Choose a DNG and start editing right away. CN41P keeps the experience simple and focused on the photo in front of you. Nine built-in Looks Clean, Natural, Cream, Amber, Chrome, Cinema, Compact, Mono, and Mono HC. Create your own Custom Looks and sync them across your Macs, iPhones, and iPads with iCloud. The controls you need Adjust Exposure, Contrast, White Balance, Tone Curve, Color Mixer, Clarity, and Sharpening. Crop and straighten your image, and press and hold anytime to compare with the original. Made for iPhone and iPad A clean, focused interface designed for editing with touch, with your histogram and photo information close at hand. Export full-resolution JPEGs when you're finished. Your original files are never modified. Works with iPhone ProRAW Leica M, Q, and SL series Ricoh GR series Works offline. No account required.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: theLAB at 5.0 against CN41P's 4.5. theLAB also leads on update cadence (every 3 days vs every 10 days) and ratings volume (15 vs 2). CN41P's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3). On price, 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
Both are free to download. theLAB sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. CN41P asks for nothing beyond the download.
theLAB holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: theLAB has 15 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.
theLAB ships an update every 3 days, CN41P every 10 days. Both last shipped on November 13, 2026.
| Parameter | theLAB | CN41P |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (15 ratings) — better | 4.5 (2 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 15 — better | 2 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 days — better | Every 10 days |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Freemium | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, Mac — better |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 — better | 26.5 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 504 MB | 7 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | Caleb Salvadori | Minsang choi |
Customer experience
theLAB
CN41P
In-app purchases
theLAB
- theLAB Pro Monthly3 Days trial$9.991 Month
- theLAB Pro Yearly$39.991 Year
- theLAB Pro Lifetime$74.99
CN41P
No in-app purchases









