swatchbook vs Patchwork Explorer
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
swatchbook
This app provides a cloud platform for sourcing, developing, and sharing digital materials. It allows users to search, filter, and request physical samples, interact with materials in 2D and 3D, and create shareable collections for design projects.
- Source and request physical material samples
- Develop materials with 2D and 3D display options
- Create and share material collections
- Search and filter digital materials
- Patent-pending 1:1 material display
Read full descriptionHide full description
swatchbook is the new home of materials. a cloud platform that revolutionizes the sourcing, development & sharing of digital materials. with the iOS app this means we are putting all the materials back in your hand. all the power of swatchbook focused inside the mobile app. source: Search, filter & fine tune your search. when ready, request samples for a wonderful touch & feel experience. you are making an actual physical product after all. develop: we've designed this to make the best use of all the visual tools swatchbook has to offer. it offers various display options to view the swatches including our incredible patent pending 1:1 display. interact with them in 2d & 3d & ultimately create materials & collections for your design line. share: Create collections that can be shared within your organization, with your team members, or externally with material consultants or you may receive them directly from your suppliers.
Patchwork Explorer
Read full descriptionHide full description
With Patchwork Explorer, use your device to explore your photorealistic 3D models, all of their functions, and the rendering quality. Lumiscaphe’s photorealistic 3D models are trusted by leading industry designers and engineers from many sectors: automotive, aeronautics, transportation, lifestyle & luxury goods, industrial equipment, consumer goods, architecture & construction, design & studio work, and emerging industries. - Photorealistic real-time rendering - Augmented reality - UHD/Retina resolutions supported natively This app requires a preexisting Lumiscaphe account.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: swatchbook at every 2 months against Patchwork Explorer's every 6 months. Patchwork Explorer's advantage is iOS requirement (12.0 vs 14.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
swatchbook ships an update every 2 months, Patchwork Explorer every 6 months. The most recent releases landed on September 20, 2026 and September 19, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | swatchbook | Patchwork Explorer |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (12 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 50.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 12 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months — better | Every 6 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 | 12.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 85 MB | 331 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | swatchbook Inc. | Lumiscaphe |
In-app purchases
swatchbook
No in-app purchases
Patchwork Explorer
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is swatchbook free?
Is Patchwork Explorer free?
Do swatchbook or Patchwork Explorer have ads?
Which is updated more often, swatchbook or Patchwork Explorer?
Other comparisons















