# Pixen vs DOTDOT

The clearest difference is rating: Pixen at 4.7 against DOTDOT's 4.0. Pixen also leads on ratings volume (181 vs 1) and update cadence (monthly vs every 5 months). DOTDOT's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and review sentiment (100% vs 67%). On price, ads, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

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

Pixen holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Pixen has 181 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 67% of Pixen's written reviews are positive against 100% of DOTDOT's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Pixen ships an update monthly, DOTDOT every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on November 11, 2026 and November 4, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Pixen | DOTDOT |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (181 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pixen-pixel-art-editor/id1161880215/reviews)** | [4.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dotdot-pixel-art-animation/id6474961841/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **181** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 66.7% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Monthly** | Every 5 months |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 13 MB | 73 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Furnace Creek Software LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/321189453) | [Kyohei Hosono](https://appshunter.io/developer/1089376066) |

## What reviewers say

### Pixen

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pixen-pixel-art-editor/id1161880215)

Create detailed pixel art and animations with a comprehensive suite of tools. Manage projects, import/export various file formats, and utilize Apple Pencil features for precise drawing. Supports layers, color palettes, and pattern creation for advanced designs.

**Highlights:** Pixel art and animation creation, Extensive toolset (Pencil, Eraser, Fill, etc.), Apple Pencil support with gestures, Color palette management, Animation frame editing, Import/export various file formats, iCloud sync for macOS users

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pro: One Time Purchase | $9.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use for beginners
- 🚀 Great for pixel game art
- 💡 iCloud sync with Mac version
- ✨ No ads whatsoever
- 👍 Responsive developer

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Little buggy
- 🐛 More tapping in menus than necessary
- 🐛 Low quality export
- 🐛 Hard to navigate for beginners
- 🐛 Too much extra work for frame duplication

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes
- Cannot make anything else after one image
- Cannot export
- App crashes when exporting
- Export as JPG without transparent background

**Requested features**

- Undo gestures
- Gallery for artworks
- Redo button
- Keep animation preview screen up while working
- Option to choose background color


### DOTDOT

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dotdot-pixel-art-animation/id6474961841)

Create pixel art and animated GIFs on a 12x12 canvas while listening to relaxing Lofi music. Share your creations with a community and friends, perfect for beginners and those seeking a creative outlet.

**Highlights:** Pixel art creation, GIF animation, Lofi music integration, Community sharing, Intuitive interface, Beginner-friendly

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Pixen free?

Pixen is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is DOTDOT free?

DOTDOT is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Pixen or DOTDOT?

Pixen is rated higher. Pixen averages 4.7 out of 5 from 181 ratings, while DOTDOT averages 4.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do Pixen or DOTDOT have ads?

Neither Pixen nor DOTDOT shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Pixen or DOTDOT?

Pixen ships an update monthly, and DOTDOT every 5 months. Most recently, Pixen was updated on November 11, 2026 and DOTDOT on November 4, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*