Charting vs Charcoal
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Charting
Easily create and share charts with a simple interface. Supports iCloud sync for seamless data management across devices. Export your plots in a dedicated format for collaboration.
- Simple operation interface
- Quick chart drawing
- iCloud sync support
- Export Plotter format files
- Cross-device compatibility
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Simple and easy operation interface. Draw charts easily and quickly anytime, anywhere. Usage: Please watch the app preview. Note: 1.Support iCloud sync. 2.Export Plotter format files to share data with other users.
Charcoal
This app offers a simple yet powerful sketching experience with rich tools and beautiful color palettes. Easily create and export your artwork for use in other graphics programs. It supports modern iOS features like multiple windows and dark mode for enhanced productivity.
- Simple sketching interface
- Rich drawing tools
- Beautiful color palettes
- Export sketches
- Multiple window support
- Dark mode
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• Charcoal is incredibly easy to use: Just create or open a sketch and start sketching. There are no layers or confusing settings. Instead, Charcoal features rich tools and beautiful color palettes. • Charcoal allows you to export a sketch to use it in your favorite graphics program. • Charcoal supports modern iOS and iPadOS features like multiple windows and dark mode: use it at night or open multiple sketches, even side by side.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Charcoal at 4.5 against Charting's 3.4. Charcoal also leads on review sentiment (77% vs 35%) and in-app purchases (none vs 1). Charting's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 2 months). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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. Charting sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Charcoal asks for nothing beyond the download.
Charcoal holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Charcoal has 143 ratings behind it against 23, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 35% of Charting's written reviews are positive against 77% of Charcoal's.
Charting ships an update weekly, Charcoal every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 5, 2026 and September 8, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Charting | Charcoal |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.4 (23 ratings) | 4.5 (143 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 35.3% of reviews | 76.9% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 23 | 143 — better |
| Update frequency | Weekly — better | Every 2 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Vision Pro |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 19 MB | 28 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | 奇 张 | Lars Augustin |
Customer experience
Charting
Charcoal
Bugs and requests
Charting
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
Charcoal
Reported bugs
3 issues- Saved sketches lose quality
- Palette colors change unexpectedly
- Freezing when opening color palette
Requested features
4 requests- Ability to change brush/pen size
- Layers and blending tools
- Color wheel and custom color selection
- Import/export options
In-app purchases
Charting
- Full version$2.99
Charcoal
No in-app purchases
