# theLAB vs FrameDrop

The clearest difference is review sentiment: theLAB at 100% against FrameDrop's 0%. theLAB also leads on price (Free vs $2.99) and rating (5.0 vs 1.0). FrameDrop's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3). On ads and device support there is nothing between them.

theLAB is free to download; FrameDrop costs $2.99 up front. theLAB sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. FrameDrop asks for nothing beyond the download.

theLAB holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 1.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: theLAB has 13 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of theLAB's written reviews are positive against 0% of FrameDrop's.

theLAB ships an update every 3 days, FrameDrop every 11 days. The most recent releases landed on October 28, 2026 and October 29, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | theLAB | FrameDrop |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $2.99 |
| Rating | **[5.0 (13 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/thelab-mobile/id6781197507/reviews)** | [1.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/framedrop-camera-import/id6807544632/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **13** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | **100.0% of reviews** | 0.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 days** | Every 11 days |
| Monetization | **Freemium** | Paid |
| Size | 301 MB | 23 MB |
| Requires iOS | **17.0** | 26.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Caleb Salvadori](https://appshunter.io/developer/6781197509) | [Peter Olofsson](https://appshunter.io/developer/1878414150) |

## What reviewers say

### theLAB

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/thelab-mobile/id6781197507)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| theLAB Pro Monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| theLAB Pro Yearly | $39.99 | per year |
| theLAB Pro Lifetime | $74.99 | one-time |


### FrameDrop

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/framedrop-camera-import/id6807544632)

Transfer photos directly from your USB camera or memory card to your iPhone or iPad. Browse, select, and import original RAW and JPEG files into Apple Photos or the Files app. This app works offline and keeps your original files safe.

**Highlights:** Direct USB camera import, Memory card reader import, Preview photos before importing, Import RAW and JPEG files, Save to Apple Photos, Save to Files app, Offline functionality

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support, iPhone Duo support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is theLAB free?

theLAB is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is FrameDrop free?

FrameDrop costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, theLAB or FrameDrop?

theLAB is rated higher. theLAB averages 5.0 out of 5 from 13 ratings, while FrameDrop averages 1.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do theLAB or FrameDrop have ads?

Neither theLAB nor FrameDrop shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, theLAB or FrameDrop?

theLAB ships an update every 3 days, and FrameDrop every 11 days. Most recently, theLAB was updated on October 28, 2026 and FrameDrop on October 29, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*