# Pixen vs Iconis

The clearest difference is update cadence: Iconis at every 2 weeks against Pixen's monthly. On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Pixen sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Iconis sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Pixen ships an update monthly, Iconis every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Pixen | Iconis |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (180 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pixen-pixel-art-editor/id1161880215/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **180** | — |
| Positive reviews | 66.7% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Monthly | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Size | 13 MB | 1 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **17.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Furnace Creek Software LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/321189453) | [Hua Yang](https://appshunter.io/developer/1497666891) |

## 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


### Iconis

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/iconis/id6783342710)

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Iconis Pro | $7.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Pixen free?

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

### Is Iconis free?

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

### Do Pixen or Iconis have ads?

Neither Pixen nor Iconis shows ads.

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

Pixen ships an update monthly, and Iconis every 2 weeks. Most recently, Pixen was updated on November 6, 2026 and Iconis on November 3, 2026.

---

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