Comparison

Tagtool vs SurfaBeam

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

Head to head
About

Tagtool

Transform your tablet into a live visual instrument for painting with light and creating spontaneous animations. Collaborate with others for performances or improvised storytelling. Explore a new dimension of digital art.

Highlights
  • Live visual instrument
  • Paint with light
  • Create spontaneous animations
  • Improvised storytelling
  • Multiplayer jamming
  • Projector connectivity
Features
Read full description

Tagtool transforms your iPad into a visual live instrument. Connect a projector to paint with light, draw expressive animations, or tell improvised stories. Jam with friends on a shared canvas, perform live shows, or create pop-up street art. From classrooms and workshops to galleries and live stages, Tagtool fills any space with colorful art, created together. Whether you're a VJ, artist, educator, or just curious — discover a new universe of digital art!

About

SurfaBeam

Transform any surface into a dynamic display with this intuitive mobile projection mapping tool. Easily map videos, animations, and images onto real-world objects without complex desktop software. Ideal for creators, artists, and event planners seeking powerful visual effects on the go.

Highlights
  • Intuitive mobile projection mapping
  • Map videos, images, and animations
  • Advanced shape library & multi-surface mapping
  • Export maps for professional content creation
  • Precision grid warping with gesture controls
  • Real-time rendering and video sync
  • Multi-media support
Read full description

TRANSFORM REALITY WITH SURFABEAM: THE ULTIMATE PROJECTION MAPPING TOOL Turn your projector into a magic wand. SurfaBeam is the most intuitive projection mapping tool designed specifically for mobile creators, digital artists, and event planners. Whether you are a professional VJ, a creative designer, or just hosting an unforgettable house party, SurfaBeam lets you map videos, animations, and images onto any real-world surface—instantly. Forget complex desktop software, expensive media servers, and heavy hardware. SurfaBeam puts the power of a professional video mapping studio right in your pocket. Connect your device to any digital projector and start warping reality in seconds. This is Projection Mapping made easy, accessible, and powerful. EASY CONNECTION No computer needed! Connect your phone or tablet to any projector using: Wired (Recommended): Use a USB-C to HDMI or Lightning Digital AV Adapter for zero lag. Wireless: Supports AirPlay, Screen Mirroring. WORKFLOW IN 3 STEPS Notice: Advanced features listed below are available via In-App Purchase (Subscription or One-Time). Connect: Link your device to the projector. Map: Drag the on-screen grid to match your physical object (wall, box, or decor). Play: Pick a video or image and watch it warp instantly! KEY FEATURES & CAPABILITIES Advanced Shape Library & Multi-Surface Mapping New in this version! Your creativity is no longer limited to squares. Use our new Multiple Shapes tool to map complex geometries, irregular sculptures, and detailed architectural elements simultaneously. Export Maps for Professional Content Creation Bridge the gap between mobile mapping and desktop editing. Export your mapped layouts directly from SurfaBeam. Use these exports as templates in video editing software (like Adobe After Effects) to design custom content that fits your specific mapping setup perfectly. Precision Grid Warping with New Gesture Controls We have completely overhauled our touch interaction workflow. Fit your visuals perfectly to any shape with our Rebuilt Gesture System. Whether it represents a flat wall or a cylinder, our advanced mesh allows for detailed Keystone Correction and Corner Pinning. Includes a new in-app tutorial for beginners! Real-Time Rendering & Video Sync See your adjustments live! There is no rendering time. As you move the grid points, the projection updates instantly. Features a new Video Synchronization Button to ensure your loops and visuals play back smoothly without stuttering—perfect for live VJ performances. Multi-Media Support Project high-resolution videos, photos, logos, or custom graphics directly from your device's gallery. SurfaBeam handles high-quality playback for crisp, stunning visual effects with transparency control and layering. PERFECT FOR EVERY USE CASE Live Events & VJing: Elevate your DJ set. Use SurfaBeam as a mobile VJ tool to create stunning stage visuals and music visualizers that sync with the vibe , also similar to lazy lighting app. Holiday Digital Decoration: Halloween: Project singing pumpkins, spooky ghosts, or portals onto your windows. Christmas: Map animated snow and festive lights onto your tree or walls without physical wiring. Art Installations & Exhibitions: Project dynamic textures and motion graphics onto sculptures. Create immersive Augmented Reality (AR) experiences visible to the naked eye. Business & Branding Displays: Make your brand pop! Project your logo onto unique surfaces at trade shows or corporate lobbies. A projection-mapped logo grabs far more attention than a TV screen. SurfaBeam is more than just an app; it is a creative revolution. Privacy Policy: https://www.surfabeam.com/privacy Terms Of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula Quick Workflow Video: Watch here: https://youtube.com/shorts/NjB2owlqp-4?si=HZoRPMUXDV8W0w_p

Screenshots

SurfaBeam4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Tagtool at 4.4 against SurfaBeam's 3.6. SurfaBeam's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 8 months) and review sentiment (78% vs 69%). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. Tagtool sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and SurfaBeam sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Tagtool holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 3.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 5 and 17 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 69% of Tagtool's written reviews are positive against 78% of SurfaBeam's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Tagtool ships an update every 8 months, SurfaBeam fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 8, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Tagtool versus SurfaBeam: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTagtoolSurfaBeam
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (5 ratings) — better3.6 (17 ratings)
Positive reviews69.2% of reviews77.8% of reviews — better
Number of ratings517 — better
Update frequencyEvery 8 monthsFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better
Requires iOS15.015.0
Further details — not scored
Size141 MB467 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperOMA InternationalOsman Ahsan Sheikh

Customer experience

Tagtool

All ratings5 ratings
Positive80.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative20.0%
Written reviews13 reviews
Positive69.2%
Neutral7.7%
Negative23.1%

SurfaBeam

All ratings17 ratings
Positive64.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative35.3%
Written reviews36 reviews
Positive77.8%
Neutral0.0%
Negative22.2%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Tagtool

One-time1
  • Tagtool Pro$19.99
4 purchases

SurfaBeam

Subscriptions3
  • SurfaBeam Pro – Monthly$6.991 Month
  • SurfaBeam Pro – Quarterly$19.993 Months
  • SurfaBeam Pro – Yearly$49.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime Pro Access$99.99

Questions

Is Tagtool free?
Tagtool is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is SurfaBeam free?
SurfaBeam is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Tagtool or SurfaBeam?
Tagtool is rated higher. Tagtool averages 4.4 out of 5 from 5 ratings, while SurfaBeam averages 3.6 from 17 ratings.
Do Tagtool or SurfaBeam have ads?
Neither Tagtool nor SurfaBeam shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Tagtool or SurfaBeam?
Tagtool ships an update every 8 months, and SurfaBeam fortnightly. Most recently, Tagtool was updated on September 8, 2026 and SurfaBeam on September 24, 2026.

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