REVIEW: Retromatic app for iPad

This image editor for the iPad gives your photos the vintage look - but is it worth your while? We give it a try to see how it performs.

Our Verdict

A great looking app, but a very limited way to make your photos look vintage. There are better options.

For

  • Easy to use
  • Good looking results

Against

  • Limited colour palette
  • Limited options

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The vintage editing app is quick and easy to use

The vintage editing app is quick and easy to use

'50s-inspired iPad app Retromatic (opens in new tab) enables you to import your photos, cut them out using an instant alpha tool, and then apply vintage effects to them.

It’s quick and easy to use, and looks great, but expect frustration if you want to do anything more than the basics. The instant alpha tool works well, but you have to hold down on the screen to make it switch between a brush and pinching to zoom - not ideal for quick editing.

An erase mode and an auto complete help you finesse your selections, but masking out intricate shapes isn’t easy enough.

Filters and backgrounds

Once imported, you can apply one of 18 (similar) filters and add one of 14 backgrounds. You can also add text (limited to iOS fonts only) and also a variety of eclectic clip art.

You can add text and clipart to photos too

You can add text and clipart to photos too

The colour palette is limited - great for matching, but limits your options. Layers are supported, but images must be imported singularly.

Despite creating interesting pictures at first, Retromatic only offers superficial changes to your images, with a limited set of options. Halftone (opens in new tab), Jazz! (opens in new tab) or even Photoshop Express (opens in new tab) offer more.

You'll find this review, and many more, in Tap! Magazine issue 25.

Key info

  • Price: $4.99 (£2.99)
  • Universal: No
  • Version: 1.0
  • App size: 49.1MB
  • Developer: Peta Vision (opens in new tab)
  • Age rating: 4+

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The Verdict
6

out of 10

Retromatic HD

A great looking app, but a very limited way to make your photos look vintage. There are better options.

The Creative Bloq team is made up of a group of design fans, and has changed and evolved since Creative Bloq began back in 2012. The current website team consists of six full-time members of staff: Editor Kerrie Hughes, Deputy Editor Rosie Hilder, Deals Editor Beren Neale, Senior News Editor Daniel Piper, Digital Arts and Design Editor Ian Dean, and Staff Writer Amelia Bamsey, as well as a roster of freelancers from around the world. The 3D World and ImagineFX magazine teams also pitch in, ensuring that content from 3D World and ImagineFX is represented on Creative Bloq.