# Doodle Patterns — user reviews

> 97 indexed App Store user reviews of Doodle Patterns by Lightwood Consultancy Ltd, rated 4.10/5 from 35 ratings.

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/doodle-patterns/id797474393/reviews
- App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/doodle-patterns/id797474393.md
- Rating breakdown: 5★ 22 · 4★ 6 · 3★ 1 · 2★ 1 · 1★ 5

## What do users think of Doodle Patterns?

Overall sentiment: mixed

**Pros**

- 👍 Easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions
- 🎨 Wide variety of zentangle patterns
- 📱 Portable reference for on-the-go use
- 😌 Relaxing and therapeutic activity
- 🎯 Good for beginners learning zentangles
- ✨ Visually appealing interface
- 🔄 Useful filter functionality for pattern selection
- 💰 Good value compared to physical zentangle books
- 🎁 Regular updates with new patterns
- 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Great for family bonding activities

**Cons**

- 💸 Aggressive in-app purchase model
- 😕 Misleading pricing structure and presentation
- 🐛 Frequent app crashes and stability issues
- 🔍 Confusing interface for finding owned patterns
- ⚠️ Not a drawing app despite user expectations
- 🚫 Limited free content relative to paid content
- 📊 Insufficient pattern variety for advanced users
- 🎬 Video playback cannot be paused easily
- 🔧 Filter functionality doesn't work reliably
- 📍 Unclear which patterns require additional purchases

**Commonly reported bugs**

- App crashes frequently after purchases
- Cannot open app or access purchased packs on iPad
- Filter removal doesn't work properly
- Scrolling through designs is glitchy
- Navigation buttons overlap and obstruct controls
- Billing issues with duplicate charges
- Inconsistent in-app purchase functionality

**Most requested features**

- Add ability to draw within the app
- Include pattern names for easier identification
- Implement dark mode option
- Add more patterns and regular content updates
- Allow users to add custom patterns via photos
- Improve scrolling performance
- Add shading instructions as final step
- Better organization of free vs. paid content
- Clearer labeling of which patterns are included
- Pause functionality for video tutorials

## Newest reviews (13 of 97)

### 2/5 — Unreliable

*2024-04-01*

I want to rate this app a star higher because it is handy to have some patterns on phone. I like the step by step hand drawn illustrations .  
However the app keeps crashing .I have to delete app then download again. After a few times of doing this …it gets annoying . 

I have an Iphone 14 ver. 17.3.1

### 3/5 — Not what I thought

*2023-03-08*

Turns out you’re paying for a collection of designs with the steps shown so you can recreate them in paper…but you can’t draw in the app…and the app displays 5 packs of designs all mixed together and your $2.99 only unlocks 1 of the packs so you have to figure out which ones are available to you. Some suggestions to the developers: make it clear what you’re selling by explaining that the tutorials only show how the design was created but do not allow practice or drawing in the app and only display the designs that the purchase price covers, with the extra packs elsewhere so it doesn’t feel so disappointing to open the app for the first time and see all the things that aren’t included. I understand wanting to be paid fairly for your work—it’s more about the way it’s presented that made me feel like I didn’t get much for $2.99. I think I’ll enjoy learning and using the designs, but my initial impression, since there’s no free trial or other way to see what I’d be getting, was confusion and disappointment and that’s just not a pleasant way to start out.

**Developer response:** Thanks for the feedback. We tried to make it clear in the description that extra packs are available to purchase and that 100 patterns are included with the base price. The "filter" option can show or hide the packs that you do/do not own. I understand that coming to the app as a new user today it looks like you're being blocked from accessing a lot of content that already exists. These packs were added gradually as the artist created more patterns, over a number of years following the app's launch. I will think about how we can make this clearer to new customers. I hope you still enjoy doodling with these patterns!

### 4/5 — $…$…$

*2022-07-02*

I love the app itself. The variety is wonderful, the tutorials make trying something new easy. What I’m not so fond of is paying for an app and only getting access to 20% of the content without paying more. Seems like a somewhat deceptive way of doing things… that being said, I’m am enjoying the heck out of the original pack and I even let myself buy another pack because I was having so much fun. I just wish that the developers were more obvious about the way they charge.

### 4/5 — Redundant

*2017-03-13*

This app is basically a repeat of the other doodle app and I didn't realize that until after I'd paid for both.
I like the fact that I can add to the library.  
It would be even better, if there were future updates that also add to the library, since there are infinite patterns to be collected.  A static number of 100, in comparison, hardly whets the appetite. 😋💦

### 4/5 — Doodle rating

*2016-05-10, version 1.50*

I've enjoyed this app for a while now.  When it has been a while since I worked on any entangles, it is a great quick reference to give me that jump-start back into the process.

### 4/5 — Great app but...

*2016-04-30, version 1.50*

The in app purchase don't add to the ones I already have, I don't really understand how it works but I like the idea.

### 5/5 — Fantastic Zentangle App

*2016-01-27*

I have this app on my phone so I can go anywhere and look at tangles offline. It works great on my phone or iPad.

### 5/5 — I Can Do It!!

*2016-01-09*

I have to admit that I used to see other people's doodles & feel completely in awe of the detail in them. Despite my creative gene I never thought I could create such wonderful patterns myself because I wouldn't know where to begin... Now by following the step-by-step breakdown I can get my head around it all & I'm even adapting them & creating new patterns of my own!! Highly recommended to anyone who has seen doodles they thought they could never create anything like them!

### 2/5 — A great family app!

*2015-12-08*

My kids and I have been engaged as a unit creating doodles and chatting the whole time. The instructions are wonderful, even my 9 yo is having success and feeling it 😁 highly recommend this for families, the depressed, stressed, and happy. Get a pen, a pencil or a stick in the sand and start practicing. Nothing is right or wrong. Just doodle and be inspired by this wonderful app.

### 2/5 — Pass

*2015-11-26, version 1.50*

There are InApp purchases.  If your a beginner, this is not for you.  The steps are shown by a short video, like 5 sec.  You can't pause it, I'm lost, your inconvenienced by replying the whole video just to pick up the step by step instructions. It's a pass for me.

### 5/5 — Great App!

*2015-11-23*

Love the instructions for building each tangle.  There is a great selection of tangles with nice updates too. Because they are all visually in one place it's very easy to select one to use and with just a tap up it comes with all the steps. Only wish the "approved" collection could come this way. Thanks for all the effort.

### 3/5 — Fair, to good.  Bored of only a few patterns.

*2015-11-08, version 1.50*

This site is fair to good but I'm already adept at most of the patterns.  'Hoping for an update.  Something a "little more".  At least the artist is getting paid for his or her work.  This is a great launching spot for adapting your own zentangle designs.

### 5/5 — Enjoyable

*2015-11-06*

I've had this app for a while now and it is my goto when I am stuck. I gladly purchased extra packages 1 & 2. Imagine how happy I was when the newest update arrived with not only extra package 3 but it also added several new tangles absolutely free. How fun it is to spend a few moments with each new tangle. 'Perfecting' them for later use. I don't think you'll regret this purchase.

## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated)

### 1/5 — Overcharged

*2025-10-23*

I purchased this app for the $2.99 and now I’m showing an additional charge with the same ID for $122. I need someone to get in touch with me so that I can get my money back.

### 1/5 — App crashes

*2024-11-08*

After paying for the new pack, I suddenly can’t use the app.

### 1/5 — Feels like a scam

*2024-03-14*

You pay 2.99$ and mostly see a page of zentangle packs you don’t own. 
***You have to search (with the filter) to see which one you own~ and despite the developers saying they tried to make it clear, it isn’t clear at all

### 1/5 — Developer in trouble?

*2024-01-17*

Cannot open the app or the packs (bought them all!) on my iPad Pro. 
Refund was requested, and received.

### 1/5 — You have to pay for almost all the patterns!

*2018-08-25*

Just go online or get tangle patterns app! Better than paying for each design on this app!

**Developer response:** The hand-drawn content in this app is not available for free. We're always sad to hear when people think our work isn't worth a couple of dollars.

### 1/5 — Directions?

*2017-04-06, version 1.50*

I filtered to ORIGINAL thinking I would see the patterns that I just bought.  Other patterns were still displayed.  I can't find the original 100.  How do you get step by step directions for each pattern?  OR how do you get reimbursed.  I did look under the I for information.  Not much help.

### 1/5 — Disappointed and feel ripped off

*2016-06-04*

Having paid over £2 for this app and believing that I was buying the whole library of designs mentioned in the app write-up, I am angry and disappointed to find that nearly every design I click on asks me to buy another pack for the instructions!!!!  Money back please.

### 1/5 — Really Annoyed

*2014-11-01*

Has some nice Tangles but for the price I certainly would not have expect to pay for more as it asks you every 3 lines or so. Don't bother paying for it just go online.

### 1/5 — Disappointing

*2014-02-07*

Can't find any reference to the fact that these are all Zentangle® patterns. Not acknowledging the source is like a copyright infringement and makes the whole product suspect.

### 1/5 — Crashing

*2014-01-24*

Needs more work

## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated)

### 5/5 — Delight for Zentanglers!

*2025-10-23*

I have been using this app for years, and bought all the ad on packs. Without this app, I tend to doodle just a few patterns repeatedly. This gives me a huge variety to choose from. Some are not in styles that are familiar to me and that challenges meet a stretch my wings. All told this is one of the best apps I’ve ever spent money on, and each of the add-on packs is worth it.

### 5/5 — Artist

*2023-02-03*

I wish I could add a picture to this. I use this app for inspiration for my own patterns 💛💛💛

### 5/5 — Love it

*2020-03-25*

A great app that is helpful with drawings

### 5/5 — Great App!

*2019-04-17*

I’m glad I bought this app! If you you want to enjoy all of the content, the true price is about $11, I think. But they give you step-by-step instructions for some awesome designs! The only thing I would change is the glitchiness of scrolling through the designs. It’s a little annoying. And who knows, maybe it’s just my phone?

### 5/5 — Lots To Do

*2017-08-25*

I like this app. Select the pattern you like and see the easy to follow step-out.

### 5/5 — Love this & Doodling Together

*2017-03-23*

One person said the step by step video can't be paused. Incorrect!  Every tangle can be viewed step by step! Just tap on the other arrow or swipe the picture!  This app & Doodling Together is great fun & relaxing. My son and I both enjoy it!  In app purchases are worth it, too!  They just get added right to the collection. And the author, Katherine Newman is quick to reply if you ask for help!  Enjoy Tangling!

### 5/5 — Great for tangling!

*2017-01-02*

Lots of different patterns to choose from and still more in apps to load. Worth it

### 5/5 — Zentangle it up!!

*2016-08-01, version 1.50*

Great app and I love all the patterns! I even bought the extras that are available as in-app purchase! Keep the updates coming! I love it!!!

### 5/5 — Love it!

*2016-03-08, version 1.50*

This app is so awesome! It's what I've been looking for. I love it. I've always loved to doodle. Now I have a real direction with my doodling! Thank you for this beautiful gift!!❤️

### 5/5 — Great for learning new tangles when traveling.

*2016-02-09*

I found that having the app on my iPhone and iPad keeps me busy learning new tangles and creating new designs when traveling. I keep a tangle journal that has quadrille pages and create my own squares. During a flight, I put my earbuds in and create. Helps the time go quickly!

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-25.*