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Compare · film logging apps · 2026

Pellica vs Frames.

Frames is a well-made iOS and Mac notebook that writes your shot data into each scan as EXIF. Pellica does per-frame logging too — and adds a built-in light meter, a lab map, scan matching, and the Android app Frames does not have.

◉ The short version

Pick Pellica if: you shoot on Android — or across iPhone and Android — want a built-in light meter and a lab finder in the same app, and prefer a free tier to a paid unlock.

Pick Frames if: you live entirely in Apple’s ecosystem, want your metadata embedded straight into image files for Lightroom, and prefer a one-time or lifetime purchase.

This is a maker’s comparison written by the Pellica team; we check every competitor fact against their live App Store listing and website and link our sources. Facts last verified August 6, 2026.

Feature matrix · frame 02

Side by side.

Checked against each app's live listing and website, August 6, 2026.

Feature
Pellica
iOS & Android · free + €4.99/mo
Frames
iOS, iPad & Mac · free + IAP
Per-roll + per-frame loggingYes, one-tap framesYes
Per-frame settings + GPS + weatherSettings, GPS, weatherSettings + GPS, no weather
Built-in light meterIncident + reflected, freeNo
Lab finder / map1,200+ labsNo
Scan matchingEXIF + OCR auto-matchWrites EXIF into scans
Android supportYes, full parityiOS / Mac only
Cloud syncE2E encrypted (Pro)iCloud
ExportsPDF + CSVPDF, CSV, GPX, XMP — paid tier
PriceFree · Pro €4.99/moFree + IAP · $17.99/yr · $59.99 once

Comparing more than one app? See the full multi-app comparison →

Migration notes · frame 03

Switching from Frames

Frames keeps your data in EXIF and iCloud. Moving to Pellica takes a few minutes, and you keep your history.

01

In Frames, export your rolls as CSV — export is part of its paid tier, alongside PDF, TXT, GPX, and XMP formats.

02

In Pellica, open Settings → Import and load your CSV. Frame numbers, film stock, exposure settings, dates, GPS, and notes map across; anything missing is flagged for review rather than silently dropped.

03

Re-point your workflow: meter with Pellica’s built-in light meter, log each frame in one tap, and use the lab map to find a developer. Your existing Frames scans stay exactly where they are.

Keeping both? Plenty of Apple shooters embed EXIF with the Frames Mac app and log day-to-day in Pellica. We do not try to lock you in — email contact@pellica.app if a migration needs a hand.
Fair play · frame 04

When Frames is the better choice

Frames is genuinely good software built by people who care about analog, and it is actively maintained — v1.32.3 shipped on August 1, 2026. Pick it over Pellica when:

You are all-Apple and want your shot data embedded straight into each image file as EXIF — the Frames Mac app writes metadata into your scans for a clean Lightroom import.

You prefer to pay once. Frames offers a lifetime unlock ($59.99 as of August 2026, per its App Store listing) alongside $1.99/month and $17.99/year plans.

You want native iPad and Apple Vision Pro apps today. Frames ships them; Pellica is phone-first on iOS and Android.

You have no need for a light meter or a lab finder, and an Android app is irrelevant to you.

Contact sheet · frame 05

Straight answers.

Is there an Android alternative to Frames?

Yes. Frames runs only on iPhone, iPad, and Mac as of August 2026, with no Android version — we re-checked Google Play on August 6. Pellica offers the same per-frame film logging on both iOS and Android, so your log follows whichever phone you carry.

How much does Frames cost?

Frames is free to download with in-app purchases. As of August 6, 2026 its App Store listing shows $1.99 per month, $17.99 per year, or $59.99 for lifetime access, with data export reserved for the paid tier and 5 rolls free. Pellica is free with an optional Pro plan at €4.99 per month.

Does Frames have a built-in light meter?

No. Frames is a metadata notebook and does not include a light meter as of August 2026 — its App Store description lists no metering feature. Pellica has a built-in incident and reflected light meter in its free tier, so you can meter and log in one app.

Sources, checked August 6, 2026: withframes.com · Frames on the App Store · 35mmc — Frames intro · Digital Camera World. Spotted something out of date? Email contact@pellica.app and we will fix it.

Final frame

Log film on any phone.

Pellica is free on iOS and Android — per-frame logging, a built-in light meter, and a 1,200+ lab map in one app.

Download Pellica — freeSee all comparisons