FilmLab vs PhotoScanner
FilmLab
filmlabapp.com
PhotoScanner
photo-scanner.comSide by side
| Figure | FilmLab | PhotoScanner |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $5/mo | — |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 4 | 4 |
| Spec score · Photo Scanning Software | 9.3 (#1) | 8.1 (#14) |
| Headquarters | Kennebunk, Maine, USA | Berlin, Germany |
| Metadata | Desktop 3.5 preview metadata support can copy most source metadata, including scan-camera and lens information, into exported files. | Users can add or correct dates and locations for each scanned photo, and metadata is preserved on export. |
| Privacy | The privacy policy says photos stay on the device and are not uploaded unless the user shares them through another app. | PhotoScanner says ordinary photo processing happens locally on the Mac and photos are not transferred to the cloud unless deliberately exported. |
| 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. | PhotoScanner digitizes printed photos and albums on Mac using an iPhone or a connected scanner. |
| Support | Support is provided by email, with the company saying a real person from its small team will respond. | Support is available by email at [email protected], with a stated typical response time of 24–48 hours. |
Plans
FilmLab
- EducationFree
- Monthly$7.99 a month
- Annual$59.99 a year
- Lifetime$199.99, paid once
PhotoScanner
- AI-Credits Small Pack$1.99, paid once
- AI-Credits Medium Pack$7.99, paid once
- AI-Credits Big Pack$17.99, paid once
- Photo Scanner Lifetime$19.99, paid once
In their own words
FilmLab
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.
PhotoScanner
PhotoScanner has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.