Comparison

Cupixel vs PainterAR

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

Head to head
About

Cupixel

This app uses augmented reality to help you trace any image onto any surface, with step-by-step art classes from expert artists. Convert your photos into outlines or choose from a library of artwork to create your masterpiece.

Highlights
  • Augmented reality tracing
  • AI photo to outline conversion
  • Thousands of artist-led classes
  • Trace on any surface
  • Text tracing tool
  • Time lapse video recording
Features
Read full description

Cupixel is a tracing app that helps anyone learn to make real art - trace thousands of free designs onto paper, canvas, shoes, cookies, cards, and more, or turn your own photos into personalized art with a Cupixel membership.   No drawing experience needed. Cupixel is great for beginners, kids, and family craft time. Choose a photo or a design from our library, and Cupixel turns it into a traceable outline. Place your phone above the surface you want to personalize, trace what you see, then add color and detail by hand.   HOW IT WORKS 1. Choose a photo, template, or class 2. Cupixel turns it into a traceable outline 3. Place your phone above paper, canvas, or any surface 4. Trace what Cupixel shows you 5. Add your own color, detail, and style   LEARN AS YOU CREATE Learn from hundreds of recorded, artist-led classes covering drawing, sketching, watercolor, and acrylic painting - no experience needed. Watch on your own schedule with step-by-step video lessons, or trace independently using our free design library.   WHAT YOU CAN MAKE - Personalized photo art and pet portraits - Handmade gifts, cards, and home decor - Custom shoes, bags, and accessories - Sketches, watercolor paintings, and acrylic art - Comics, journaling pages, and hand-lettering   BUILT FOR REAL CRAFT PROJECTS Cupixel works on canvas, paper, wood, shoes, cookies, cards, and almost any surface. Record a timelapse of your process, share your art with the Cupixel community, and shop optional physical art kits to match your project.   Cupixel is for anyone who has ever said, “I wish I could draw that.”

About

PainterAR

Transform your sketches into digital art with augmented reality tracing and advanced digital inking tools. This app offers a complete workflow from paper to digital, with features for beginners and professionals alike. Explore a curated library of inspiration and progressive courses to enhance your artistic skills.

Highlights
  • AR drawing with stable projection
  • Advanced AR anchor mode for precise placement
  • Smart plane detection for instant creation
  • Import sketches for digital inking
  • 30+ professional brushes
  • Infinite layers system
  • Curated inspiration library and courses
Features
Read full description

Experience the ultimate "Paper-to-Digital" creative companion. Unlike simple tracing apps, PainterAR creates a complete loop from "Paper Sketch" to "Digital Art". Whether you are a beginner building confidence or a comic enthusiast pursuing professional results, you will find the perfect solution here. 【KEY FEATURES】 1. AR Drawing: Perfect Proportions Technology makes observation intuitive. • Stand Mode: Stable projection with zero latency. The ideal way for beginners to master hand-eye coordination. • Advanced AR Anchor Mode: Lock your virtual art to the paper by snapping a custom anchor (e.g., a doodle or card). Move your phone freely to check details without drift—ideal for easels or detailed desk work. • Smart Plane Detection: Instantly detects surfaces without markers. Start creating anywhere, anytime. 2. Digital Inking & Coloring Classic digital art workflow made easy. • Import & Inking: One-tap import of pencil sketches as a reference layer. • Pro Brush Library: 30+ selected brushes (pencils, ink pens, markers, etc.) for any style. 3. Infinite Layers System Modify without fear. • Professional Layering: Manage line art, base colors, and shadows on separate layers to keep even complex works organized. • Non-Destructive Workflow: Change color schemes anytime without ruining your original line art. 4. Curated Inspiration Library Quality over quantity. • Exclusive Originals: Explore themes from "Fantasy Props" to "Cat Girl" and "Mystic Elf Theatre". • Progressive Courses: From beginner "Playful Shape Friends" to advanced "Fan Art". Every lesson blends storytelling with skills, helping you create stylish art immediately. 【WHO IS IT FOR?】 • Comic Fans: Master the "Sketch -> Import -> Color" workflow. • Beginners: Use AR to fix proportions and build confidence. • Pros: Visual aid for anatomy and perspective. 【AWARDS】 ▶ Microsoft “Imagine Cup” – Top 3 ▶ 13th “Challenge Cup” – 1st Place ▶ 2nd “Internet+” Innovation Competition – 1st Place ▶ 4th College Innovation Competition – 1st Place Privacy Policy: https://painterar.com/Privacy.aspx Terms of Use: https://painterar.com/Terms.aspx Download PainterAR now. Turn your sketchbook into a digital studio! Contact: support@painterar.com

Screenshots

Cupixel4 screens
PainterAR4 screens

Verdict

The call

Cupixel and PainterAR both sit at 4.4 stars, but that hides the real split: 65% of Cupixel's written reviews are positive against 33% of PainterAR's. PainterAR's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 3 weeks). On price, rating, ratings volume and ads 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. Cupixel sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month and PainterAR sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $8.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.4 for Cupixel against 4.4 for PainterAR. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1.7K and 663 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 65% of Cupixel's written reviews are positive against 33% of PainterAR's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Cupixel ships an update every 3 weeks, PainterAR weekly. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Cupixel versus PainterAR: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCupixelPainterAR
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (1.7K ratings) — better4.4 (663 ratings)
Positive reviews65.3% of reviews — better32.9% of reviews
Number of ratings1.7K — better663
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.0 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size88 MB210 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperCupixelPainter AR Ltd.

Customer experience

Cupixel

All ratings1,655 ratings
Positive83.4%
Neutral4.3%
Negative12.3%
Written reviews124 reviews
Positive65.3%
Neutral4.8%
Negative29.8%

PainterAR

All ratings663 ratings
Positive83.0%
Neutral3.0%
Negative14.0%
Written reviews79 reviews
Positive32.9%
Neutral5.1%
Negative62.0%

User reviews

Cupixel

From 1.7K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🎨 Helps improve drawing skills
  • 👍 Easy to use and intuitive
  • 💡 Innovative AR tracing technology
  • 🤝 Helpful and responsive customer support
  • 🎨 Variety of art mediums and tutorials

Room to improve

  • 💰 Subscription required for full features
  • 🐛 Tracing feature issues and camera problems
  • 💰 Expensive subscription cost
  • 🚫 Limited free content and trial period

PainterAR

From 663 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🎨 Helpful for drawing and improving art skills
  • ⏱️ Saves time in the drawing process
  • 📚 Provides useful tutorials and guides

Room to improve

  • 💰 Overly restrictive free trial and paywall for full features
  • 🐛 Crashes and bugs that disrupt the drawing process
  • 🔍 Difficult to use own photos without paying
  • 🤖 AR mode is not very responsive or accurate

Bugs and requests

Cupixel

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Tracing feature not working as advertised
  • Camera calibration issues and image distortion
  • App crashes and freezes on some devices

Requested features

4 requests
  • More free content and trial options
  • Ability to use own photos without subscription
  • Improved tracing functionality and stability
  • Adjustable stand height and better ergonomics

PainterAR

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • App crashes frequently during use
  • Issues with loading own photos and images
  • AR mode is unreliable and hard to control

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add more free drawing options and templates
  • Improve the ability to use own photos and images
  • Provide better instructions and tutorials for new users
  • Fix crashes and stability issues

In-app purchases

10 purchases

Cupixel

Subscriptions10
  • Box Owners Monthly1 Month trial$9.991 Month
  • Cupixel Monthly3 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • Cupixel Partners Monthly14 Days trial$9.991 Month
Show 7 more
  • Cupixel Membership3 Days trial$12.991 Month
  • Cupixel Membership1 Month trial$12.991 Month
  • Cupixel Monthly3 Days trial$12.991 Month
  • Cupixel Partners Monthly14 Days trial$12.991 Month
  • Box Owners Monthly1 Month trial$12.991 Month
  • Box Owners Yearly1 Month trial$59.991 Year
  • Cupixel Yearly3 Days trial$59.991 Year
10 purchases

PainterAR

Subscriptions9
  • PainterAR-PRO7 Days trial$8.997 Days
  • First 3-Day Free3 Days trial$8.997 Days
  • Painter PRO$8.997 Days
Show 6 more
  • PainterAR-PRO7 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • 1 Month$9.991 Month
  • Special Offer$29.991 Year
  • 1 Year1 Year trial$29.991 Year
  • PainterAR-PRO7 Days trial$29.991 Year
  • First 3-Day Free3 Days trial$34.991 Year
One-time1
  • PainterAR PRO$79.99

Questions

Is Cupixel free?
Cupixel is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is PainterAR free?
PainterAR is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Cupixel or PainterAR?
Cupixel is rated higher. Cupixel averages 4.4 out of 5 from 1.7K ratings, while PainterAR averages 4.4 from 663 ratings.
Do Cupixel or PainterAR have ads?
Neither Cupixel nor PainterAR shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Cupixel or PainterAR?
Cupixel ships an update every 3 weeks, and PainterAR weekly. Most recently, Cupixel was updated on November 2, 2026 and PainterAR on November 7, 2026.

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