Beads Creator vs smART pixelator
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Beads Creator
Design custom fuse bead and Perler bead patterns with an intuitive pixel art editor. Import images to create patterns or use the bead list to track colors and quantities. Supports multiple bead brands and sizes.
- Pixel art style editing
- Create patterns from images
- Supports multiple bead brands
- Bead list for color and quantity tracking
- Cross-stitch pattern design
- Supports 6 bead types
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OVER 1.6 MILLION DOWNLOADS Beads Creator is an easy-to-use app that lets you create fuse beads and Perler beads patterns with simple controls. With pixel art style editing, you can intuitively design your own bead patterns and bead layouts. Creating patterns using images is also supported. SIMPLE AND EASY FOR EVERYONE Thanks to a clean and intuitive UI, even beginners can quickly start creating fuse bead patterns. The app supports multiple bead brands such as Perler Beads, Hama Beads, and Nano Beads, making it easy to design patterns that match the beads you already use. It's also great for pixel art creation and cross-stitch pattern design. RECOMMENDED FOR - Fans of fuse beads and Perler beads - Anyone who wants to create bead patterns or bead designs - Lovers of pixel art and retro games - Cross-stitch and accessory makers - People looking for design templates for handmade projects SUPPORTS 6 BEAD TYPES - Perler Beads - Nano Beads - Midi Fuse Beads (5.0 mm) - Mini Fuse Beads (2.6 mm) - Midi Hama Beads (5.0 mm) - Mini Hama Beads (2.5 mm) IMAGE-BASED PATTERN CREATION You can also import images onto a pegboard and use them as fuse bead patterns. Note: Image-based patterns may not work well on non-square pegboards. CHECK COLORS AND QUANTITIES WITH THE BEAD LIST View the colors and required quantities of beads used in your design with the Bead List feature. This makes preparation for crafting much easier. PATTERN CREATION LIMITS - Initial limit: up to 30 patterns - Watch a video ad: +5 patterns each time - Increase the limit up to 480 patterns REMOVE ADS (PAID OPTION) By purchasing the Remove Ads add-on, you can: - Hide all ads - Increase the maximum number of patterns to 480 Note: This is a one-time purchase and can be restored after reinstalling the app.
smART pixelator
This app uses light technology and step-by-step instructions to guide users through creating 2D and 3D pixelated projects. It works with a physical device and offers endless craft possibilities for all ages.
- Pixelate any design with light technology
- Step-by-step instructions for 2D and 3D projects
- Use with beads, sequins, or pegs
- Create custom designs from photos
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Includes 50 pre-loaded activities
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Pixelate any design with the smART Pixelator® and this FREE APP. Light technology, step-by-step instructions, and a variety of craft materials guide kids through endless activities to create 2D and 3D projects. It takes creativity to a new level! Note: You need a smART Pixelator® device to use this app. The smART Pixelator® takes creativity to the next level with innovative activities that combine art, technology and STEAM learning. Technology enables kids ages 7 to 107 to use light to pixelate any idea using the free app and a mobile device. Create ready-to-display 2D or 3D projects! Experiment! Customize! Use beads, sequins, or pegs for endless pixelated play! smART Pixelator® encourages creativity, fine motor development, and spatial awareness. It’s the smART way to play. Pick your Pixels! Use smART Pixel Beads, Pixel Pegs, or Pixel Sequins to create 4 different kinds of activities (2D & 3D Beads, Pegs, Sequins and Bracelet). Choose a design! Take a picture or download any photo from your mobile device. Pixelate it on the smART Pixelator® using Bluetooth connectivity. Light technology shows you exactly where to place your Pixels. Engineer 3D projects with snap-together Pixel Bead designs. smART Pixelator® also includes 50 pre-loaded activities right out of the box! Customize it! Change the color. Change the size. Bring finished projects to life with light. Create your own original projects using a smart device and the FREE APP. Keep on playing! Use your smART Pixelator® for endless activities using smART Pixel Beads, Pixel Sequins, and Pixel Pegs. Create 2D and 3D projects. You can even make a bracelet! smART Pixelator® app is free to play and offers no in-app purchases. Extend the fun! smART Pixelator® activity packs give you more Pixels, colors and ways to play. Available for separate purchase at https://www.flycatcher.toys/smart-pixelator - smART Pixel Beads expansion pack. - smART Pixel Pegs expansion pack. - smART Pixel Sequins expansion pack. - smART Pixel Bracelet expansion pack. - smART Pixel Organizer expansion pack. For app support contact us at https://www.flycatcher.toys/smart-pixelator/support/ Our privacy policy and terms of use for apps are accepted if you download this app. smART Pixelator® is a trademark of Flycatcher, Corp LTD © 2019 Flycatcher Corp LTD. All rights reserved.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Beads Creator at 4.5 against smART pixelator's 3.2. Beads Creator also leads on review sentiment (74% vs 36%) and ratings volume (1.5K vs 48). smART pixelator's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ads (none vs shown). On price, update cadence 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
Both are free to download. Beads Creator sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. smART pixelator asks for nothing beyond the download.
Beads Creator holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Beads Creator has 1.5K ratings behind it against 48, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 74% of Beads Creator's written reviews are positive against 36% of smART pixelator's.
Beads Creator ships an update every 2 months, smART pixelator every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and August 18, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Beads Creator | smART pixelator |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.5 (1.5K ratings) — better | 3.2 (48 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 74.3% of reviews — better | 35.7% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 1.5K — better | 48 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months — better | Every 3 months |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 16.6 | 9.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 49 MB | 64 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Takayuki Miyagawa | FlyCatcher Inc. |
Customer experience
Beads Creator
smART pixelator
Bugs and requests
Beads Creator
Reported bugs
2 issues- Inability to delete saved patterns
- Inconsistent behavior when adding beads
Requested features
5 requests- Copy/paste design elements
- Larger and custom grid sizes
- Import image to convert to pattern
- Fused bead view for final look
- Ability to edit bead colors
smART pixelator
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Beads Creator
- Remove Ads$4.99
smART pixelator
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Beads Creator free?
Is smART pixelator free?
Which has better reviews, Beads Creator or smART pixelator?
Do Beads Creator or smART pixelator have ads?
Which is updated more often, Beads Creator or smART pixelator?
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