Comparison

Beads Creator vs smART pixelator 2.0

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

Head to head
About

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.

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
Read full description

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.

About

smART pixelator 2.0

This companion app uses light technology and step-by-step instructions to help children create 2D and 3D pixelated designs using beads or pegs. It encourages creativity, fine motor skills, and spatial awareness, allowing users to customize colors and sizes for endless crafting activities.

Highlights
  • Step-by-step pixel art instructions
  • 2D and 3D project creation
  • Use with beads or pegs
  • Photo import and pixelation
  • Customizable colors and sizes
  • Bluetooth connectivity
Read full description

Please note this App is a companion App to the smART Pixelator® 2.0 device. It is not compatible with previous generation smART Pixelator® device. Pixelate any design with the smART Pixelator® 2.0 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! Use beads or pegs for endless pixelated play! smART Pixelator® 2.0 encourages creativity, fine motor development, and spatial awareness. It’s the smART way to play. Pick your Pixels! Use smART pixel beads or pixel pegs to create different kinds of activities. Choose a design! Take a picture or download any photo from your mobile device. Pixelate it on the smART Pixelator® 2.0 using Bluetooth connectivity. Light technology shows you exactly where to place your pixels. Engineer 3D projects with snap-together pixel Bead designs. 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. Note: You need a smART Pixelator® 2.0 device to use this app. smART Pixelator® is a trademark of Flycatcher Toys INC © 2025. All rights reserved.

Screenshots

Beads Creator4 screens
smART pixelator 2.04 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: smART pixelator 2.0 at 5.0 against Beads Creator's 4.5. smART pixelator 2.0 also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ads (none vs shown). Beads Creator's advantage is ratings volume (1.5K vs 1). 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Beads Creator sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. smART pixelator 2.0 asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

smART pixelator 2.0 holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Beads Creator has 1.5K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Beads Creator ships an update every 2 months, smART pixelator 2.0 every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Beads Creator versus smART pixelator 2.0: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBeads CreatorsmART pixelator 2.0
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (1.5K ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews74.4% of reviews—
Number of ratings1.5K — better1
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 6 weeks — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.612.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size49 MB69 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTakayuki MiyagawaFlyCatcher Inc.

Customer experience

Beads Creator

All ratings1,488 ratings
Positive87.1%
Neutral5.3%
Negative7.6%
Written reviews227 reviews
Positive74.4%
Neutral8.4%
Negative17.2%

smART pixelator 2.0

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

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 2.0

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Beads Creator

One-time1
  • Remove Ads$4.99
None

smART pixelator 2.0

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Beads Creator free?
Beads Creator is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is smART pixelator 2.0 free?
smART pixelator 2.0 is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Beads Creator or smART pixelator 2.0?
smART pixelator 2.0 is rated higher. Beads Creator averages 4.5 out of 5 from 1.5K ratings, while smART pixelator 2.0 averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Beads Creator or smART pixelator 2.0 have ads?
Beads Creator shows ads; smART pixelator 2.0 does not.
Which is updated more often, Beads Creator or smART pixelator 2.0?
Beads Creator ships an update every 2 months, and smART pixelator 2.0 every 6 weeks. Most recently, Beads Creator was updated on October 21, 2026 and smART pixelator 2.0 on October 6, 2026.

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