FilmLab vs SilverFast
FilmLab
filmlabapp.comSilverFast
silverfast.comSide by side
| Figure | FilmLab | SilverFast |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $5/mo | — |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 4 | 3 |
| Spec score · Photo Scanning Software | 9.3 (#1) | 8.4 (#8) |
| Batch processing | The desktop release notes describe batch processing, batch export and applying film-stock and backlight choices to batches. | JobManager can process multiple scan frames in sequence and batch-optimize images that have already been scanned. |
| Headquarters | Kennebunk, Maine, USA | Kiel, Germany |
| Integrations | The App Store description names scanning setups from Negative Supply, Valoi, pixl-latr, Lomography and Kodak as supported equipment. | SilverFast can run as stand-alone software or as a Photoshop plug-in. |
| Platforms | FilmLab Desktop is offered for Windows, macOS, and Linux; FilmLab Mobile is offered for iOS and Android. | SilverFast is available for Mac and Windows; the maker lists support for Intel and Apple Silicon Macs and 64-bit Windows systems for version 9. |
| 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. | SilverFast scanner software is individually adjusted for about 340 scanner models to digitize analog images. |
| Support | Support is provided by email, with the company saying a real person from its small team will respond. | SilverFast provides a Help Center, FAQs, video tutorials, manuals, and a support tool. |
| System requirements | The download page lists Windows 8 or later with DirectX 12 graphics support and macOS 10.14 or later with Metal support. | SilverFast 9 requires a 64-bit Windows 7-or-later or macOS 10.13-or-later system, at least 8 GB RAM, an internet connection, and a MySilverFast account. |
Plans
FilmLab
- EducationFree
- Monthly$7.99 a month
- Annual$59.99 a year
- Lifetime$199.99, paid once
SilverFast
- SilverFast SE$49, paid once
- SilverFast SE Plus$99, paid once
- SilverFast Ai StudioPrice not published
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.
SilverFast
SilverFast is scanner and digital imaging software for digitizing photos, slides, negatives, and Kodachromes. Its scanner software is individually adjusted for about 340 scanner models. WorkflowPilot guides image-processing tasks, while color management, scanner-specific profiles, NegaFix, automatic and manual optimization, and dust and scratch removal provide tools for scan work. Some functions, including infrared dust removal and Multi-Exposure, depend on scanner hardware. Ai Studio includes automatic IT8 color calibration. The Archive Suite can save scans as RAW files, which may preserve an infrared channel for later dust and scratch removal. SilverFast HDR works with scanned and other digital images; HDR Studio adds color restoration, exposure compensation, sharpening, and related controls for 64-bit/48-bit image data. JobManager handles scan sequences and batch optimization. The software runs on Windows and macOS as a standalone application or Photoshop plug-in; iOS is also listed. SilverFast SE costs $49, paid once, SE Plus $99, paid once, and Ai Studio $249,349, paid once. A free trial is available.