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FilmLab

filmlabapp.com

From $5/mo Free plan WindowsmacOSLinuxiOSAndroid
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Spec score 9.3 #1 of 29 in Photo Scanning Software

What it is

FilmLab converts digital captures of film negatives into color or black-and-white images with a processing engine designed for darkroom-inspired tones. Desktop apps open raw files from popular DSLR and mirrorless cameras, along with raw DNG and TIFF files from scanners. Adjustment tools cover exposure, color balance, contrast, brightness, cropping, rotation, and perspective correction. Users can batch-edit and copy or paste settings across images. Editing leaves original scans unchanged and saves processing instructions in adjacent `.fprc` files. Mobile apps can preview negatives, create proof sheets, review older negatives, and make quick scans for sharing. FilmLab is standalone and does not require other software. Listed export formats include JPEG, TIFF, and JPEG XL. It runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. The paid plans offer full access after a 14-day trial: $7.99 per month or $59.99 per year; lifetime membership is $199.99 once and includes future updates and features. Free education licenses are available by request to qualifying educators. Desktop does not support collaborative real-time editing, and nonrenewing customers can still access images and metadata they created.

Spec sheet

What it does
FilmLab converts digital captures of film negatives into color or black-and-white photographs using a custom processing engine intended to reproduce darkroom-like tones.Read 15 Oct 2026 · filmlabapp.com
Purpose
FilmLab converts digital captures of film negatives into color or black-and-white images using a custom processing engine designed to produce darkroom-inspired colors and tones.Read 29 Sep 2026 · filmlabapp.com
Platforms
FilmLab Desktop is offered for Windows, macOS, and Linux; FilmLab Mobile is offered for iOS and Android.Read 29 Sep 2026 · filmlabapp.com
Integrations
The App Store description names scanning setups from Negative Supply, Valoi, pixl-latr, Lomography and Kodak as supported equipment.Read 15 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
Privacy
The privacy policy says photos stay on the device and are not uploaded unless the user shares them through another app.Read 15 Oct 2026 · filmlabapp.com
Support
Support is provided by email, with the company saying a real person from its small team will respond.Read 15 Oct 2026 · filmlabapp.com
Headquarters
Kennebunk, Maine, USARead 28 Sep 2026 · filmlabapp.com
Automatic crop
Desktop 3.3 added automatic frame detection and crop selection based on detected borders and common aspect ratios.Read 15 Oct 2026 · filmlabapp.com
Automatic exposure and color
Desktop 3.3 improved automatic exposure and color balance while retaining manual controls.Read 15 Oct 2026 · filmlabapp.com
Automatic rotation
Desktop 3.3 added automatic orientation detection so mixed portrait and landscape frames can be rotated correctly.Read 15 Oct 2026 · filmlabapp.com
Batch editing
Users can batch-edit images and copy or paste editing settings across images.Read 29 Sep 2026 · filmlabapp.com
Batch processing
The desktop release notes describe batch processing, batch export and applying film-stock and backlight choices to batches.Read 15 Oct 2026 · filmlabapp.com
Camera scanning
FilmLab Desktop opens raw files from popular DSLR and mirrorless cameras, plus raw DNG and TIFF files from scanners.Read 29 Sep 2026 · filmlabapp.com
Collaboration limit
FilmLab Desktop does not currently support collaborative real-time editing.Read 29 Sep 2026 · filmlabapp.com
Company legal identity
The privacy policy identifies the maker as Develop and Fix, Inc., a corporation based in Maine, USA.Read 15 Oct 2026 · filmlabapp.com
Data access
If a customer does not renew a license, they can still access images and metadata they created.Read 29 Sep 2026 · filmlabapp.com
Data portability
The maker states that images and metadata remain accessible after a license is not renewed.Read 15 Oct 2026 · filmlabapp.com
Desktop workflow
The desktop app processes film scans without requiring additional software.Read 15 Oct 2026 · filmlabapp.com
Documentation
The FilmLab Guide calls itself a work in progress and links a desktop manual described as a complete reference for macOS and Windows features.Read 15 Oct 2026 · filmlabapp.com
Export formats
Documented desktop exports include JPEG, TIFF and JPEG XL, with TIFF compression choices and 8-bit or 16-bit options described in release notes.Read 15 Oct 2026 · filmlabapp.com
Falloff correction
Desktop 3.5 improved falloff correction with better backlight analysis, vignette mode and batch calibration selection.Read 15 Oct 2026 · filmlabapp.com
Film profiles
Desktop 3.5 expanded the color-film profile library from 23 to 60 profiles and added more light-source profiles, while noting some small brands remain missing.Read 15 Oct 2026 · filmlabapp.com
Film types
The mobile listing says FilmLab handles color negatives, black-and-white negatives and color-positive slides across 35mm, medium-format and large-format film.Read 15 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
Image adjustments
Desktop includes automatic settings and controls for exposure, color balance, contrast, brightness, cropping, rotation, and perspective correction.Read 29 Sep 2026 · filmlabapp.com
Licence status
The terms describe the site software and source code as proprietary property, so FilmLab is not presented as open source.Read 15 Oct 2026 · filmlabapp.com
Limit: advanced editing
The same independent review said FilmLab lacks localized retouching tools such as dust removal, gradient masks and brush adjustments.Read 15 Oct 2026 · camera-digitize-archive.com
Limit: Android reliability
A Google Play reviewer reported warped, low-resolution previews and crashes during capture on several Pixel phones.Read 15 Oct 2026 · play.google.com
Limit: difficult film stocks
An independent review reported that heavily expired, dense-fog or specialty films such as LomoChrome Purple can confuse automatic conversion and require manual correction.Read 15 Oct 2026 · camera-digitize-archive.com
Limit: mobile controls
An App Store reviewer said the mobile app lacked multi-select uploads and manual exposure adjustment and requested HDR capture.Read 15 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
Limit: mobile export
An App Store reviewer complained that scans could not be exported in bulk to a computer, requiring one-by-one emailing.Read 15 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
Limit: older workflow gaps
That reviewer requested crop tools, folder batch processing, numeric slider values and direct Capture One integration in the 2020 version reviewed.Read 15 Oct 2026 · jamescockroft.com
Maker business
Develop and Fix describes itself as a software company rooted in analog photography and identifies FilmLab as its first product.Read 15 Oct 2026 · developandfix.com
Metadata
Desktop 3.5 preview metadata support can copy most source metadata, including scan-camera and lens information, into exported files.Read 15 Oct 2026 · filmlabapp.com
Mobile use
The mobile apps can preview negatives, make proof sheets, review old negatives, and make quick scans for sharing.Read 29 Sep 2026 · filmlabapp.com
Mobile workflow
The iOS and Android apps provide negative previews, proof sheets and quick scans for sharing.Read 15 Oct 2026 · filmlabapp.com
Non-destructive editing
FilmLab leaves original scan files unmodified and stores processing instructions in adjacent .fprc files.Read 29 Sep 2026 · filmlabapp.com
Praise: darkroom controls
A photography reviewer described FilmLab as easy to use with exposure, color, brightness and contrast controls plus JPEG and TIFF export.Read 15 Oct 2026 · jamescockroft.com
Praise: ease of use
An App Store reviewer called the interface clean and straightforward and said the app worked better than competing negative-scanning apps.Read 15 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
Praise: workflow speed
An independent desktop review praised FilmLab for quickly rendering positives from camera raw files with little setup and no Adobe subscription.Read 15 Oct 2026 · camera-digitize-archive.com
Rating on Apple App Store
2.8 out of 5 from 34 ratingsRead 15 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
Rating on Google Play
2.7 out of 5 from 163 reviewsRead 15 Oct 2026 · play.google.com
Raw-camera support
FilmLab Desktop opens raw files from hundreds of cameras and supports raw DNG and TIFF scanner files.Read 15 Oct 2026 · filmlabapp.com
Release news
FilmLab Desktop 3.5 was released on May 19, 2026 with new editing features, profiles, metadata handling and bug fixes.Read 15 Oct 2026 · filmlabapp.com
Standalone
FilmLab apps are standalone and do not require other software to function.Read 29 Sep 2026 · filmlabapp.com
Standalone licensing
The pricing page says one license covers personal Mac, Windows, iOS and Android devices and that the apps operate standalone without other software.Read 15 Oct 2026 · filmlabapp.com
System requirements
The download page lists Windows 8 or later with DirectX 12 graphics support and macOS 10.14 or later with Metal support.Read 15 Oct 2026 · filmlabapp.com
Trial limit
The desktop page describes a two-week free trial, and its manual says first-time users can test a limited number of files for free.Read 29 Sep 2026 · filmlabapp.com
Undo and redo
Desktop 3.5 added editor undo and redo for single-image editing, with batch operations excluded from that history.Read 15 Oct 2026 · filmlabapp.com

Plans and prices

Education Free Free licenses by request For school, college or university programs teaching film photography to young people Read 15 Oct 2026 · filmlabapp.com
Monthly $7.99 a month 14 days free, then $7.99/month Full FilmLab features on personal Mac, Windows, iOS and Android devices Read 15 Oct 2026 · filmlabapp.com
Annual $59.99 a year 14 days free, then $59.99/year Full FilmLab features on personal Mac, Windows, iOS and Android devices · 37% savings versus monthly Read 15 Oct 2026 · filmlabapp.com
Lifetime $199.99, paid once $199.99 once Access to every future FilmLab update and feature Read 15 Oct 2026 · filmlabapp.com

Every FilmLab plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Desktop supports raw camera, DNG, and TIFF files.
  • Edits preserve original scan files.
  • Batch editing and copied settings are available.
  • Runs on desktop and mobile platforms.

Limits

  • Desktop lacks collaborative real-time editing.
  • Paid plans follow a 14-day trial.
  • Education licenses require a request and qualification.

Who it suits

It suits film photographers digitizing negatives who want desktop adjustment and batch-editing tools or mobile previews and quick scans. Qualifying educators teaching film photography to young people can request free licenses.

FilmLab in depth

Read the full write-up

FilmLab is a dedicated negative-conversion app for film photographers who work from camera or scanner captures. It pairs desktop adjustments with mobile preview and quick-scan tools. Its appeal is a standalone, non-destructive workflow; its desktop app is not built for collaborative real-time editing.

Overview

FilmLab converts digital captures of film negatives into color or black-and-white images with a processing engine designed for darkroom-inspired tones. Desktop opens raw files from popular DSLR and mirrorless cameras, along with raw DNG and TIFF files from scanners. The mobile apps are better suited to previewing negatives, making proof sheets, reviewing older negatives, and producing quick scans to share.

The apps work without another program. FilmLab leaves original scan files untouched and stores processing instructions in adjacent.fprc files, keeping the source separate from the adjustments. Customers who do not renew can still access images and metadata they created.

Key features

Desktop offers automatic settings and controls for exposure, color balance, contrast, brightness, cropping, rotation, and perspective correction. Auto-crop, deskew correction, and auto enhancement add useful correction options; batch editing and copying or pasting settings help carry a consistent treatment across a group of scans. Photo organization is also a capability, though its specific tools are not described.

Current release notes describe JPEG, TIFF, and JPEG XL export. FilmLab’s standalone design is useful for photographers who want a dedicated workflow, but it does not provide collaborative real-time desktop editing. The maker describes no integrations on its pricing page, so buyers seeking a connected multi-app workflow should look elsewhere.

Pricing

FilmLab has a 14-day trial on both paid plans, followed by the selected recurring charge. The Monthly plan costs $7.99 a month; the Annual plan costs $59.99 a year. Both include full access to all FilmLab features on personal computers and devices. Monthly suits occasional or shorter-term use; Annual costs less over a full year for someone committed to regular use. The trial is described as two weeks, while the manual says first-time users can test a limited number of files for free.

The Education plan is free by request for qualifying educators running programs that teach film photography to young people. The Lifetime plan costs 199.99 USD once and includes lifetime membership, future updates, and features; it avoids recurring renewal but requires a larger upfront payment. FilmLab does not describe a general free tier for other users, so readers wanting ongoing no-cost use should consider alternatives.

Platforms

FilmLab supports Windows, macOS, and Linux on desktop, plus iOS and Android on mobile. The cross-platform range suits photographers who want desktop conversion alongside mobile preview, though the mobile apps’ stated role is lighter than desktop editing.

Who it's for

FilmLab is best for film photographers converting their own camera or scanner captures, especially those who value batch adjustments and preserving untouched scans. Its mobile tools also suit people who want to inspect negatives or make quick shareable scans. It is a poor fit for teams that need real-time shared editing, or for buyers who need integrations with other software.

Pros and cons

Pros: Non-destructive processing keeps original scan files intact, while adjacent instruction files preserve the adjustment workflow.

Pros: Camera and scanner file support, manual controls, and batch settings cover a practical range of negative-conversion work.

Pros: Desktop and mobile apps span Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android, and the apps stand alone.

Cons: Desktop lacks collaborative real-time editing, limiting its suitability for shared production workflows.

Cons: The paid plans renew monthly or annually after the 14-day trial; Lifetime avoids renewal but costs 199.99 USD upfront.

Alternatives

Photo Scanning Software is a broader category to explore if you want to compare scanning tools beyond negative conversion.

Choose Google Photos if you want a free-plan photo service on Android, iOS, or the web rather than FilmLab’s negative-conversion workflow. Nostalgia may suit people looking for a free mobile and web option for photo restoration, with a free plan capped at 10 restores per month. For scanning tied to a supported Brother machine, Brother iPrint&Scan is free, with features varying by model.

SlideScan by Photomyne is a free-plan option for limited slide scanning, saving, and sharing. MyHeritage Mobile App offers a free plan with family-tree and storage caps, making it a different choice for family-history use. On Windows, PaperScan provides a free edition limited to 10-page batch TWAIN/WIA scanning or import, while its Home Edition offers unlimited batch scanning for 79.00 USD once.

Photo Scan by Photomyne is worth considering for unlimited scans and core enhancement features on its Annual plan, which costs $59.99 a year after a 3-day free trial and auto-renews until canceled. If you need a dedicated physical photo scanner, Epson FastFoto is a hardware alternative: its FF-680W costs 629.99 USD once and includes scanning software and a one-year limited warranty in the U.S. and Canada.

Verdict

Choose FilmLab if you want a standalone tool for converting film-negative captures, with desktop batch adjustments and originals kept untouched. The combination of desktop and mobile tools is its strongest reason to buy; its recurring plans and lack of collaborative editing are reasons to look elsewhere if your priority is shared work or a no-cost workflow.

Verdict

FilmLab combines desktop negative conversion and adjustment with mobile preview and scanning tools. Its non-destructive workflow and standalone apps are useful distinctions; the desktop app is not for collaborative real-time editing.

Where Specifiction places it

Alternatives to FilmLabAll alternatives →