Comparison

Pharos Print vs Filter

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

Head to head
About

Pharos Print

Submit documents from your iOS device to a secure print queue. Edit finishing options, preview, and manage print jobs. Requires a Pharos MobilePrint solution within your organization.

Highlights
  • Submit content to secure print queue
  • Edit finishing options
  • Preview documents
  • Delete print jobs
  • View print queue
  • Release print jobs
Features
Read full description

The Pharos Print app, part of the Pharos MobilePrint solution, allows you to easily submit content from your iOS device to a Pharos secure print queue. To use this app, Pharos MobilePrint and a Pharos secure print solution must be in place within your organization. Features • Easily submit content from your phone or tablet into a Pharos secure print queue. • Edit your finishing options before you print. • Preview your document(s) before you print. • Delete a print job from your Pharos secure print queue. • View all documents in your Pharos secure print queue. • View your Available Funds and job cost (when applicable). • Release print jobs to the printer (if configured). • Select printers for release by scanning QR code (if configured). Operating Environment • Supports iOS 14.0 and newer iPhone and iPad models. • Supports Pharos MobilePrint 2.0+ with Pharos Uniprint 9.0+ • Supports Pharos MobilePrint 2.0+ with Pharos Blueprint 5.2+ • QR Print Release requires MobilePrint 2.4 and Uniprint 9.1 SP3 Supported Files (Important) Uploading or opening files from other apps via “Open In” and "Sharing", or via the "Upload" button in the app supports the following file formats: Microsoft Office® documents, Microsoft Outlook®, PDF, images (JPG, GIF, PNG, BMP), text files (CSV, RTF & TXT), and OpenOffice documents. How to use the features of Pharos Print app [Note: some features or settings may be disabled by your organization, as noted] A. Download and install the Pharos Print app to your iOS device. B. Connect Pharos Print to your organization’s Pharos MobilePrint server. a. Open the Pharos Print app. b. Contact your organization’s IT administrator to obtain the Pharos MobilePrint server information (URL). c. Enter the Pharos Server Name and Server Port (both are required). d. Select Connect e. The Pharos Print app will connect to the Pharos server and display a User Authentication Screen. C. Authenticate to the Pharos Server. a. Enter the credentials that you normally use to print (your username and password). b. Select Log On to enter the Pharos Print app. D. Files can be submitted either via the Upload icon in the app or by using the native iOS “Open In” or the "Sharing" command to submit your print job. a. To upload supported documents from the app, simply log in and use the "Upload" button. Sources for files on your device, or cloud, will be presented. b. To upload supported documents using “Open In" or "Sharing" i. Select content in any app that supports “Open In" or "Sharing". ii. Select Open In/Share. iii. Select the Open/Share in Pharos Print icon. E. You may set finishing options, preview, or delete a document a. Select a print job in your job list. b. Apply your desired finishing options via the "Print Options" tab at the bottom of the app: i. 1 sided or 2 sided ii. Color or Black & White iii. Pages per side iv. Number of copies v. Page range to print c. To preview documents, select a document and use the "Preview" button. d. To delete documents, select a document and use the "Delete" button. F. To print documents, this option must be allowed by your organization a. Select document(s) to print b. Then either use the tab at the bottom of the app to select a printer (if available) c. Or use the “QR Code” icon at the top right of the app (if available) to enable the camera and point it at the QR code on the printer you want to print to. G. To view available funds you have for printing, use the “Payment method” tab at the bottom of the app. a. If made available by your organization, the app may offer the ability to “Add Funds” via the link on this tab. H. Logging out a. To log out of the Pharos Print app, select the gear icon in the upper left corner and select Log out.

About

Filter

This app simplifies HVAC filter replacements for multi-unit properties. Scan filter QR codes, verify matches, and log replacements with unit numbers to a secure cloud database. It provides a traceable history for property managers and maintenance teams.

Highlights
  • Fast QR code scanning
  • Instant filter validation
  • Unit number capture
  • Auto-remembered community ID
  • Cloud logging of replacements
  • Scan history tracking
  • Simple, focused user interface
Features
Read full description

Filter Smart makes HVAC filter replacements simple, accurate, and traceable across apartments and multi-unit properties. Scan the QR code included with the filter, confirm it’s the right match, enter the unit number, and submit a time-stamped record to the cloud—right from your phone. Your community ID is saved after the first launch, so scanning is fast every time. How it works Enter your Community ID once. If it’s recognized, it’s remembered for next time. Scan the QR code on the new air filter to validate the filter. Enter the unit number and Submit. The app logs the scan with the community, unit, and confirmation details. Who it’s for • Property managers and maintenance teams who need proof of service. • Multifamily communities and student housing that replace filters on a schedule. • On-site staff and contractors who want a quick, standardized workflow. Key features • Fast QR scanning: Open the app, point the camera, and capture the code in seconds. • Instant validation: Know immediately whether the filter you scanned is the one intended for that property. • Unit capture: Add the unit number so every record is specific and auditable. • Auto-remembered community: Your approved Community ID is saved for future scans to reduce errors. • Cloud logging: Each submission stores the confirmation, community, and unit details in a secure database. • Scan history: See a clear list of past scans with dates and units so teams can verify replacements. • Simple, focused UI: Purpose-built for speed in the field—no clutter, no training required. • Works great online: Records are submitted to the cloud for centralized access and reporting. • Privacy-conscious: We only store the data needed for verification (community, unit, and scan details). Why Filter Smart • Reduce mistakes from manual entry and paper logs. • Standardize your filter-replacement process across teams and properties. • Gain traceability with a reliable scan history tied to each unit. Support If you need help or have feature requests, contact your property administrator or support. Note: Filter Smart is designed for communities that have been onboarded to the system. If your Community ID isn’t recognized, please reach out to your property manager to be added.

Screenshots

Pharos Print4 screens
Filter4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Filter at 5.0 against Pharos Print's 1.3. Filter also leads on update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 9 months). Pharos Print's advantage is ratings volume (227 vs 1) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.6). 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Filter holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 1.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Pharos Print has 227 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Pharos Print ships an update every 9 months, Filter every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and September 29, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Pharos Print versus Filter: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPharos PrintFilter
PriceFreeFree
Rating1.3 (227 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews7.6% of reviews—
Number of ratings227 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 9 monthsEvery 6 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size70 MB31 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPharos Systems InternationalEpic Genius LLC

Customer experience

Pharos Print

All ratings227 ratings
Positive6.6%
Neutral2.2%
Negative91.2%
Written reviews66 reviews
Positive7.6%
Neutral6.1%
Negative86.4%

Filter

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

Bugs and requests

Pharos Print

Reported bugs

24 issues
  • App won't open/load
  • App crashes
  • Constant disconnections
  • Files disappearing
  • Network issues
Show 19 more
  • App freezes
  • Login issues
  • Server connection issues
  • Printing fails
  • Blurry prints
  • Double-sided printing
  • QR code won't scan
  • Laggy UX
  • Complicated to use
  • Incompatible with iOS versions
  • Keyboard covers login button
  • Cannot add funds
  • Doesn't recognize files
  • Poor UI testing
  • Limited app options
  • Doesn't print from other apps
  • Slow loading times
  • Print button cut off
  • No print button

Requested features

8 requests
  • Add a progress bar for loading
  • Fix keyboard blocking login button
  • Add an upload feature
  • Allow printing from other apps
  • Add page range option for printing
Show 3 more
  • Update app to look more native to iOS
  • Fix print button being cut off
  • Add a print button

Filter

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Pharos Print

No in-app purchases

None

Filter

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Pharos Print free?
Pharos Print is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Filter free?
Filter is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Pharos Print or Filter?
Filter is rated higher. Pharos Print averages 1.3 out of 5 from 227 ratings, while Filter averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Pharos Print or Filter have ads?
Neither Pharos Print nor Filter shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Pharos Print or Filter?
Pharos Print ships an update every 9 months, and Filter every 6 weeks. Most recently, Pharos Print was updated on October 7, 2026 and Filter on September 29, 2026.

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