Comparison

element vs Dehancer Film Emulation

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

Head to head
About

element

Control your color grading software remotely from your iPad. This app offers a virtual version of physical control panels, ideal for on-set work, training, or expanding your existing setup. It communicates with your software via WiFi and supports multi-touch gestures.

Highlights
  • Remote color grading control
  • Virtual Element control panels
  • On-set grading ideal
  • Portable grading solution
  • Multi-touch support
  • WiFi communication
Read full description

Control your colour grading software from your iPad with the element-Vs app. - Ideal for on-set grading. - Ideal as a portable grading panel. - Ideal for training. - Ideal for expanding your real Element panels. The element-Vs is a virtual version of the four panels that make up the Element control panel series by Tangent Wave Ltd. Every panel is presented in exactly the same layout as the real Element panels. All the controls are mapped on the element-Vs in exactly the same way as the real Element panels. What the controls do depends on the grading software you are using the panel with. You should refer to the control mappings for the Element panels provided by your software manufacturer. The element-Vs is fully multi-touch, so you can use different controls simultaneously. You do not need to own the real Element panels in order to use the element-Vs. You can use the element-Vs at the same time as your real Element panels. When you do this the controls will reflect any changes and information that happen to either real or virtual panels. If you do not own all the Element panels you can use the element-Vs to provide virtual versions of the panels you do not own. Communication with your grading software is via WiFi. NOTE: you will need to download and install the Tangent Hub software on your computer in order for your grading software to talk to the element-Vs app. Please read the manual which is available to download on our website - see the element-Vs product page. After you have used the sample version for 1 hour you will be reminded that it is the sample version and you should consider buying the app. You can then continue to use the app again the following day.

About

Dehancer Film Emulation

This app offers a comprehensive color grading suite for photos and videos, emulating over 60 real film stocks. It provides professional tools like realistic grain and bloom to achieve an organic, classic cinema look. Join a community of creatives dedicated to authentic, film-inspired color.

Highlights
  • 60+ real film stock emulation
  • Retro film vibe presets
  • Realistic grain
  • Bloom and halation effects
  • Hollywood-level color grading tools
Features
Read full description

Dehancer is a film emulation app for photo and video editing built on 10 years of color science to bring real analog film looks to your iPhone and iPad. Choose from 86 film presets based on iconic stocks: Kodak, Fuji, Cinestill and more. Each preset is crafted from real film stocks. Refine any look in the Lab with realistic Grain, Bloom, and Halation. Powerful color grading tools give you precise control over every image. Work in Projects to save and revisit your edits anytime. Batch editing lets you apply your grade across multiple photos or videos in one step. RAW support (currently in beta) gives you access to the full range of image data for more accurate, detailed results. Essential video editing tools are built right in. Trim, cut, and arrange your clips before applying your grade, so you can go from raw footage to a finished, cinematic look without leaving the app. Whether you shoot on an iPhone or import footage from a camera, Dehancer brings cinematic color grading to photographers, filmmakers, and creators at every level. Trusted by 1 million+ creators for authentic film emulation, cinematic color grading, and results that look genuinely analog. YOUR PRIVACY IS IMPORTANT TO US Please read the Terms of Use as well as the Privacy Policy carefully. All data is handled under the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy of Dehancer. More details can be found here: https://www.dehancer.com/legal

Screenshots

Dehancer Film Emulation4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Dehancer Film Emulation at 4.3 against element's 2.9. Dehancer Film Emulation also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 35 months) and ratings volume (426 vs 8). element's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 9) and iOS requirement (8.0 vs 26.0). On price, 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

Both are free to download. Dehancer Film Emulation sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days. element asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Dehancer Film Emulation holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 2.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Dehancer Film Emulation has 426 ratings behind it against 8, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 50% and 50% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

element ships an update every 35 months, Dehancer Film Emulation every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 12, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
element versus Dehancer Film Emulation: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterelementDehancer Film Emulation
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.9 (8 ratings)4.3 (426 ratings) — better
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews50.5% of reviews — better
Number of ratings8426 — better
Update frequencyEvery 35 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS8.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size2 MB232 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTangent Wave Ltd.Dehancer L.L.C-FZ

Customer experience

element

All ratings8 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral12.5%
Negative37.5%
Written reviews14 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral14.3%
Negative35.7%

Dehancer Film Emulation

All ratings426 ratings
Positive79.8%
Neutral4.5%
Negative15.7%
Written reviews319 reviews
Positive50.5%
Neutral10.0%
Negative39.5%

Bugs and requests

element

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Dehancer Film Emulation

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Failed video exports
  • Halation feature not working as expected
  • Inconsistent performance across devices

Requested features

5 requests
  • Batch processing and gallery view
  • Ability to import from external sources
  • More film stock options
  • Camera profile matching
  • Improved video export quality

In-app purchases

None

element

No in-app purchases

9 purchases

Dehancer Film Emulation

Subscriptions6
  • Unlimited Photo Export Week$2.997 Days
  • Unlimited Photo Export Month7 Days trial$4.991 Month
  • Unlimited Export (Weekly)7 Days trial$5.997 Days
Show 3 more
  • Unlimited Export (Monthly)7 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • Unlimited Photo Export Year$49.991 Year
  • Unlimited Export (Annual)7 Days trial$89.991 Year
One-time3
  • Non-Renewable 1 Month Dehancer$9.99
  • Non-Renewable 1 Year Dehancer$150.00
  • Unlimited Export$399.00

Questions

Is element free?
element is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Dehancer Film Emulation free?
Dehancer Film Emulation is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, element or Dehancer Film Emulation?
Dehancer Film Emulation is rated higher. element averages 2.9 out of 5 from 8 ratings, while Dehancer Film Emulation averages 4.3 from 426 ratings.
Do element or Dehancer Film Emulation have ads?
Neither element nor Dehancer Film Emulation shows ads.
Which is updated more often, element or Dehancer Film Emulation?
element ships an update every 35 months, and Dehancer Film Emulation every 3 weeks. Most recently, element was updated on September 12, 2026 and Dehancer Film Emulation on September 25, 2026.

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