Swift Pixels vs Pixel Art Maker PixelCanvas
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Swift Pixels
Create pixel art with a unique color palette and diverse rendering options. Save your creations as PNGs with transparency or high-resolution images to share. Import photos from your library or camera to use as a base for your designs.
- Unique color palette with universal categories
- Render pixels as squares, 3D boxes, beads, towels, or hexels
- Save images as PNG with transparency
- High-resolution export and sharing
- Import photos from library or camera
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Simple and easy to use drawing application to create pixel art. Features: * Unique color palette based on universal color categories. Each color category expands a continuous gamut for that color. * Render pixels as simple squares, 3D boxes, beads, a towel, or as hexagons (hexels). * Save small images as PNG images with transparency (alpha/mask), or save them in hi-res and share them with the world :) * Load and import pictures from your Photo Library, or directly take a picture from your camera.
Pixel Art Maker PixelCanvas
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Create pixel art with ease. Pixel Art Maker PixelCanvas is a pixel art editor that lets you draw on grids from 8x8 to 128x128. With 5 drawing tools, a 64-color palette, and up to 3 layers, you can create everything from retro game sprites to modern pixel art. FLEXIBLE CANVAS SIZES Choose from 8x8, 16x16, 32x32, 64x64, or 128x128 grids (128x128 is unlockable). Pick the right size for tiny icons or detailed pixel art. 5 DRAWING TOOLS Pencil, eraser, flood fill, line, and rectangle tools. Intuitive controls let you draw exactly what you envision. COLOR PALETTE 64 built-in colors plus custom color support. Find the perfect shade for your creations. LAYER SUPPORT Up to 3 layers for separating elements like backgrounds and characters. Enables professional pixel art workflows. SYMMETRY MODES Horizontal and vertical mirror modes for efficient symmetric designs. Perfect for characters and patterns. TRANSPARENT PNG EXPORT Export finished art as transparent PNG files with adjustable scale. Use them as stickers, icons, social media avatars, and more. REFERENCE IMAGE IMPORT Import images as underlays for tracing. Easily convert your favorite illustrations into pixel art. GALLERY MANAGEMENT Save your artwork to the gallery for easy access, editing, and sharing. PINCH ZOOM & PAN Two-finger zoom and pan for precise dot placement on any canvas size.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Pixel Art Maker PixelCanvas at Free against Swift Pixels's $1.99. Pixel Art Maker PixelCanvas also leads on update cadence (every 2 months vs every 5 months). Swift Pixels's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ads (none vs shown).
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Pixel Art Maker PixelCanvas is free to download; Swift Pixels costs $1.99 up front. Pixel Art Maker PixelCanvas sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Swift Pixels asks for nothing beyond the download.
Swift Pixels ships an update every 5 months, Pixel Art Maker PixelCanvas every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 2, 2026 and October 5, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Swift Pixels | Pixel Art Maker PixelCanvas |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.7 (14 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 60.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 14 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | Every 2 months — better |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Paid | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 14.7 — better | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 3 MB | 8 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | David Gavilan | Notake Shoji |
In-app purchases
Swift Pixels
No in-app purchases
Pixel Art Maker PixelCanvas
- Hide Ads & Support$1.99
Questions
Is Swift Pixels free?
Is Pixel Art Maker PixelCanvas free?
Do Swift Pixels or Pixel Art Maker PixelCanvas have ads?
Which is updated more often, Swift Pixels or Pixel Art Maker PixelCanvas?
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