# Photo Formation vs Pixel Shape

The clearest difference is price: Pixel Shape at Free against Photo Formation's $21.99. Pixel Shape also leads on device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). Photo Formation's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and ads (none vs shown). On update cadence there is nothing between them.

Pixel Shape is free to download; Photo Formation costs $21.99 up front. Pixel Shape sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Photo Formation asks for nothing beyond the download.

Photo Formation ships an update weekly, Pixel Shape every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Photo Formation | Pixel Shape |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $21.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | **[5.0 (35 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/photo-formation/id1371632595/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **35** | — |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Every 2 weeks |
| Monetization | Paid | — |
| Size | 144 MB | 118 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **12.0** |
| Devices | iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [JixiPix, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/380605671) | [Fluocode](https://appshunter.io/developer/516988149) |

## What reviewers say

### Photo Formation

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/photo-formation/id1371632595)

Transform your photos into unique paper art with intricate folds, weaves, and rips. This app offers a powerful 3D lighting engine for realistic shadows and a variety of creative presets and customization tools.

**Highlights:** Auto-transforms photos into paper formations, 3D light engine for realistic shadows, Library of one-touch presets, Randomize button for instant creations, Customizable moving, rotating, and scaling tools, Adjustable lighting and multiple light sources, 8 creative paper styles

**In-app purchases:** none


### Pixel Shape

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pixel-shape/id1439002450)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Long text and Fonts | $4.99 | one-time |
| Shape Editor | $4.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Photo Formation free?

Photo Formation costs $21.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Pixel Shape free?

Pixel Shape is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do Photo Formation or Pixel Shape have ads?

Pixel Shape shows ads; Photo Formation does not.

### Which is updated more often, Photo Formation or Pixel Shape?

Photo Formation ships an update weekly, and Pixel Shape every 2 weeks. Most recently, Photo Formation was updated on October 24, 2026 and Pixel Shape on October 15, 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.*