Comparison

theLAB vs CN41P

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

Head to head
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

About

CN41P

Edit DNG files from select cameras and iPhone ProRAW with a focused interface. Adjust key parameters, apply built-in or custom looks, and export high-resolution JPEGs. Your original files remain untouched.

Highlights
  • Develop DNG files
  • Nine built-in Looks
  • Custom Looks sync via iCloud
  • Adjust Exposure, Contrast, White Balance
  • Tone Curve and Color Mixer
  • Crop and straighten
  • Export full-resolution JPEGs
Features
Read full description

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

theLAB4 screens
CN41P4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: theLAB at 5.0 against CN41P's 4.0. theLAB also leads on ratings volume (12 vs 1) and iOS requirement (17.0 vs 26.5). CN41P's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2). 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. theLAB sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. CN41P asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

theLAB holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: theLAB has 12 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
theLAB versus CN41P: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParametertheLABCN41P
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (12 ratings) — better4.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings12 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 2 days—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemiumFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, Mac — better
Requires iOS17.0 — better26.5
Further details — not scored
Size296 MB4 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperCaleb SalvadoriMinsang choi

Customer experience

theLAB

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

CN41P

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

theLAB

Subscriptions1
  • theLAB Pro Monthly3 Days trial$9.991 Month
One-time1
  • theLAB Pro Lifetime$49.99
None

CN41P

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is theLAB free?
theLAB is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is CN41P free?
CN41P is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, theLAB or CN41P?
theLAB is rated higher. theLAB averages 5.0 out of 5 from 12 ratings, while CN41P averages 4.0 from 1 ratings.
Do theLAB or CN41P have ads?
Neither theLAB nor CN41P shows ads.

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