# Beads Creator vs smART pixelator

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | Beads Creator | smART pixelator |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.5 (1.5K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/beads-creator-bead-patterns/id1235585928/reviews)** | [3.2 (48 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smart-pixelator/id1441516412/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **1.5K** | 48 |
| Positive reviews | **74.3% of reviews** | 35.7% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 months** | Every 3 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 49 MB | 64 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.6 | **9.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Takayuki Miyagawa](https://appshunter.io/developer/894301276) | [FlyCatcher Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/841991396) |

## What reviewers say

### Beads Creator

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/beads-creator-bead-patterns/id1235585928)

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.

**Highlights:** 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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Remove Ads | $4.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use
- 💡 Helpful for creating bead designs
- 🎨 Variety of colors and bead types
- 🔍 Useful for visualizing patterns

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Crashes and loses progress
- 🔍 Limited grid sizes and shapes
- 🎨 Lacking some common bead colors
- 📱 Orientation constraints on iPad

**Reported bugs**

- Inability to delete saved patterns
- Inconsistent behavior when adding beads

**Requested features**

- 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

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smart-pixelator/id1441516412)

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.

**Highlights:** 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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Beads Creator free?

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

### Is smART pixelator free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Beads Creator or smART pixelator?

Beads Creator is rated higher. Beads Creator averages 4.5 out of 5 from 1.5K ratings, while smART pixelator averages 3.2 from 48 ratings.

### Do Beads Creator or smART pixelator have ads?

Beads Creator shows ads; smART pixelator does not.

### Which is updated more often, Beads Creator or smART pixelator?

Beads Creator ships an update every 2 months, and smART pixelator every 3 months. Most recently, Beads Creator was updated on September 23, 2026 and smART pixelator on August 18, 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.*