Comparison

Fractal Generator vs Mandel Draw

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

Head to head
About

Fractal Generator

Explore the beauty of mathematics by creating intricate fractals. Design them using traditional mathematical methods or a visual drag-and-drop builder. Learn, experiment, and export high-resolution images of your mathematical art.

Highlights
  • Create fractals analytically
  • Visual drag-and-drop fractal builder
  • Learn fractal mathematics
  • Experiment with transformations
  • Export high-resolution images
  • Built-in tutorial
Features
Read full description

Fractal Generator Explore the beauty of mathematics through fractals. Fractal Generator lets you create Iterated Function System (IFS) fractals using both traditional mathematical methods and a new visual, drag-and-drop builder. Whether you’re learning linear transformations, teaching fractals in the classroom, or simply experimenting with mathematical art, the app makes fractals approachable and rewarding to explore. Create Fractals Analytically • Build fractals using classic affine transformation coefficients • Enter and edit values directly • Render self-similar fractals in real time Fractals are generated from systems of equations that describe how points are transformed. These systems can be solved using substitution, elimination, or matrices, making the app a natural companion for algebra and linear algebra coursework. New in Version 2.0 — Visual Fractal Builder Design fractals visually by placing and manipulating shapes on a grid. The visual builder converts geometric transformations into the underlying mathematical coefficients automatically, allowing you to: • Experiment without starting from equations • See how transformations affect the final fractal • Better understand how IFS systems are constructed This makes fractals more intuitive, especially for visual learners. Learn, Experiment, and Explore • Recreate classic fractals included in the app • Modify existing systems or create your own • Watch a built-in tutorial explaining how the math behind fractals works Export and Share • Export high-resolution images • Optional transparent backgrounds for PNG export • Save to Photos or share your creations easily Fractal Generator Pro Unlock the full experience with a one-time Pro upgrade: • All fractal collections • Visual drag-and-drop builder • Advanced export options No subscriptions. No accounts. No tracking. If you previously purchased any fractal pack, restoring purchases automatically unlocks Pro. Designed for iPhone, iPad, and Mac Support: support@lightbulblearninglogic.com Privacy Policy: https://lightbulblearninglogic.com/privacy-policy/

About

Mandel Draw

Explore the infinite beauty of fractals with this intuitive drawing app. Generate Mandelbrot and Julia sets with numerous functions and color palettes. Enjoy simple touch controls for navigation and advanced settings for high-resolution output and iCloud syncing.

Highlights
  • Mandelbrot and Julia set generation
  • 80+ fractal functions
  • 20+ color palettes
  • Intuitive touch controls (drag, pinch, tap)
  • High-resolution output
  • iCloud Sync for favorites and palettes
Features
Read full description

Mandel Draw is an application that allows you to enjoy fractals, Mandelbrot sets and filled Julia sets, in a fast and comfortable way. The app allows you to draw an infinite number of fractal images from up to 80 different functions, 20+α color palettes, and freely configurable Julia parameters. Operation is simple. Drag to move, pinch to zoom in and out. Double- and triple-tap operations are also available. Convenient settings are also available. - Use DF64 operation: Double the float operation to make it possible to zoom in more. (Disabled in the Appendix 1,2) - Select render version: Two types of rendering methods can be selected. - Display coordinates and magnification: The current coordinates and magnification will be displayed on the screen. - Output detailed information: Add detailed information to the text when sharing. - High-resolution output: Outputs at 4 times the vertical and horizontal resolution when sharing. - iCloud Sync: Share favorites and My Palette with another iPhone or iPad. In addition, all functions are available when unlocked with in-app purchase. 1) All functions are selectable 2) All palettes can be selected 3) Up to 2000 favorites can be saved 4) Maximum number of My Palettes that can be saved is now 30. Now, please enjoy the wonderful and mysterious world of fractals. What is a fractal? Simply put, a fractal is a self-similar figure that does not lose its complexity no matter how much it is enlarged. (Though computers have their limitations.) There are various fractal shapes, such as the Koch curve, Sierpinski's gasket, and Menger's sponge. The Mandelbrot set and the filled Julia set are fractals drawn computationally on the complex plane.

Screenshots

Fractal Generator4 screens
Mandel Draw4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Mandel Draw at weekly against Fractal Generator's every 3 months. Mandel Draw also leads on ratings volume (147 vs 6) and rating (4.5 vs 4.3). On price, review sentiment, ads and in-app purchases 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. Fractal Generator sells 5 one-off in-app purchases and Mandel Draw sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Mandel Draw holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Mandel Draw has 147 ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 60% of Fractal Generator's written reviews are positive against 53% of Mandel Draw's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Fractal Generator ships an update every 3 months, Mandel Draw weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 4, 2026 and September 18, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Fractal Generator versus Mandel Draw: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFractal GeneratorMandel Draw
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (6 ratings)4.5 (147 ratings) — better
Positive reviews60.0% of reviews — better53.3% of reviews
Number of ratings6147 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.016.0
Further details — not scored
Size19 MB22 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRussell ThormanKouji Mori

Customer experience

Fractal Generator

All ratings6 ratings
Positive83.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative16.7%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive60.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative40.0%

Mandel Draw

All ratings147 ratings
Positive87.1%
Neutral4.8%
Negative8.2%
Written reviews30 reviews
Positive53.3%
Neutral20.0%
Negative26.7%

In-app purchases

5 purchases

Fractal Generator

One-time5
  • Leaf Collection$0.99
  • Snowflake Collection$0.99
  • Arrow Collection$0.99
Show 2 more
  • Spiral Collection$0.99
  • Fractal Generator Pro$2.99
1 purchases

Mandel Draw

One-time1
  • Unlock$1.99

Questions

Is Fractal Generator free?
Fractal Generator is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Mandel Draw free?
Mandel Draw is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Fractal Generator or Mandel Draw?
Mandel Draw is rated higher. Fractal Generator averages 4.3 out of 5 from 6 ratings, while Mandel Draw averages 4.5 from 147 ratings.
Do Fractal Generator or Mandel Draw have ads?
Neither Fractal Generator nor Mandel Draw shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Fractal Generator or Mandel Draw?
Fractal Generator ships an update every 3 months, and Mandel Draw weekly. Most recently, Fractal Generator was updated on September 4, 2026 and Mandel Draw on September 18, 2026.

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