Comparison

Manikin vs DrawRef

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Manikin

This app provides a 3D posing tool for artists, offering a collection of models and tools to help with drawing anatomically correct figures. It allows for quick scene creation, storyboard generation, and comic book illustration framing, with intuitive posing and adjustable camera and lighting.

Highlights
  • 3D model posing
  • Anatomy reference
  • Intuitive controls
  • Adjustable camera and lighting
  • Character animations
  • Cutout screenshots
Features
Read full description

Sketch fast with MANIKIN a 3D posing tool containing a collection of models and tools aimed to help professional artists and amateurs alike in drawing anatomically correct figures with respect to light & perspective. Create scenes with multiple characters or manipulate simple 3D shapes to quickly visualize the outlines of your sketches, generate storyboards with screenshots or frame your comic book illustrations and mangas. ARTISTS MANNEQUIN The mannequin was born out of the need for an interactive human anatomy reference to tackle problems like foreshortening, proportion and depth. We expand upon the wooden mannequin for figure drawing with various 3D models and tools to help you with shape recognition, shading, perspective and stance. POSE FAST Moving things in 3D often involves a lot of interaction for even the simplest of goals. This is why we wanted posing to be as intuitive and simple as possible with a bare minimum in menu diving and without losing complexity. A straightforward and intuitive design keeps all functionality close without drowning you in options. Our goal is to let you spend more time drawing and less time preparing. APPLY ANIMATIONS Even for the most hardened artists it’s not easy to imagine how the body moves. In MANIKIN all animations can be viewed in detail. Use them to get faster to your desired stance or as use them as a figure study for motion. CAMERA & LIGHT We also give full control over camera & light. Use 360 mode to work and use "point of view mode" to get the exact camera angle you had in mind. To ease your shading needs you have up to 4 fully adjustable lights at your disposal to create dynamic drop shadows and realistic depth. SCREENSHOTS FOR DIGITAL PAINTERS MANIKIN also features cutout screenshots so you can immediately use them in Photoshop, Coreldraw, Procreate, Paper or whatever digital drawing software you use. No more hassle with editing screenshots. FEATURES * View character animations in detail. * A straightforward and intuitive design. * Various tools and effects such as outline, cut-out, grid, ... * Dynamic light with up to 4 fully adjustable lights * Freelook camera * Screenshots without background. * Share your creations on any platform and much more …

About

DrawRef

This utility app helps artists by displaying drawing references in a picture-in-picture mode. It allows you to easily access your gallery, select an image, and overlay it on your screen while using your preferred drawing application. You can resize, reposition, and even hide the reference image to optimize your workspace.

Highlights
  • Picture-in-picture reference display
  • Instant gallery access
  • Selectable reference image parts
  • Adjustable reference image position
  • Scalable reference image
Features
Read full description

DrawRef suits your needs perfectly if you use references while drawing. The app is designed to save your time and effort by focusing on what really matters in your art process. With DrawRef you can finally stop using a split screen mode and enjoy a picture-in-picture view of your drawing references. DrawRef allows you to save screen real estate for reference images while drawing. You can access the gallery instantly from the app, choose an image for the reference and put it into picture-in-picture mode. Then open your favorite drawing app and enjoy the process. Move the image to any corner, scale it and temporarily hide it by swiping it to the side of the screen. You can also select a part of the image to use it as a reference in the pic-in-pic mode. This utility app will help you in your daily art routine. DrawRef is rather minimalistic, so you don’t need tutorials to start using it and benefit from saving screen real estate. In case you have any questions or app related offers, please, write us on drawrefapp@gmail.com. Features: - instant gallery access; - picture-in-picture image view; - using a part of the image as a reference in pic-in-pic mode; - moving an image by dragging it to other corners of your screen; - pinching/unpinching the image to scale it.

Screenshots

Manikin4 screens
DrawRef3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: DrawRef at none against Manikin's 1. DrawRef also leads on review sentiment (92% vs 74%). Manikin's advantage is ratings volume (4.4K vs 70) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 9 months). On price, rating, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Manikin sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. DrawRef asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for Manikin against 4.7 for DrawRef. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Manikin has 4.4K ratings behind it against 70, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 74% of Manikin's written reviews are positive against 92% of DrawRef's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Manikin ships an update every 2 months, DrawRef every 9 months. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 2, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Manikin versus DrawRef: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterManikinDrawRef
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (4.4K ratings)4.7 (70 ratings) — better
Positive reviews74.1% of reviews91.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings4.4K — better70
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 9 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.015.0
Further details — not scored
Size226 MB1 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperUNSH VOFVasilii Sverchkov

Customer experience

Manikin

All ratings4,416 ratings
Positive89.4%
Neutral5.0%
Negative5.5%
Written reviews189 reviews
Positive74.1%
Neutral10.1%
Negative15.9%

DrawRef

All ratings70 ratings
Positive94.3%
Neutral2.9%
Negative2.9%
Written reviews12 reviews
Positive91.7%
Neutral8.3%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

Manikin

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Unlocked items disappearing
  • Horizontal camera toggle not working
  • Pose resets when using certain features
  • Inability to move multiple models independently

Requested features

9 requests
  • Digitigrade leg toggle
  • Ability to scale and customize body parts
  • Add animal models (e.g. cats, dogs)
  • Ability to import custom 3D models
  • Perspective slider for camera view
Show 4 more
  • Posable fingers and toes
  • Mobility equipment like wheelchairs
  • Animation and video creation tools
  • More free models and animations

DrawRef

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Manikin

One-time1
  • Manikin - full$9.99
None

DrawRef

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Manikin free?
Manikin is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is DrawRef free?
DrawRef is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Manikin or DrawRef?
DrawRef is rated higher. Manikin averages 4.6 out of 5 from 4.4K ratings, while DrawRef averages 4.7 from 70 ratings.
Do Manikin or DrawRef have ads?
Neither Manikin nor DrawRef shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Manikin or DrawRef?
Manikin ships an update every 2 months, and DrawRef every 9 months. Most recently, Manikin was updated on November 1, 2026 and DrawRef on November 2, 2026.

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