DrawRef vs 8BitDo Ultimate Software
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
DrawRef
This utility app helps artists by displaying drawing references in a picture-in-picture mode. It allows you to easily access your gallery, select an image, and overlay it on your screen while using your preferred drawing application. You can resize, reposition, and even hide the reference image to optimize your workspace.
- Picture-in-picture reference display
- Instant gallery access
- Selectable reference image parts
- Adjustable reference image position
- Scalable reference image
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DrawRef suits your needs perfectly if you use references while drawing. The app is designed to save your time and effort by focusing on what really matters in your art process. With DrawRef you can finally stop using a split screen mode and enjoy a picture-in-picture view of your drawing references. DrawRef allows you to save screen real estate for reference images while drawing. You can access the gallery instantly from the app, choose an image for the reference and put it into picture-in-picture mode. Then open your favorite drawing app and enjoy the process. Move the image to any corner, scale it and temporarily hide it by swiping it to the side of the screen. You can also select a part of the image to use it as a reference in the pic-in-pic mode. This utility app will help you in your daily art routine. DrawRef is rather minimalistic, so you don’t need tutorials to start using it and benefit from saving screen real estate. In case you have any questions or app related offers, please, write us on drawrefapp@gmail.com. Features: - instant gallery access; - picture-in-picture image view; - using a part of the image as a reference in pic-in-pic mode; - moving an image by dragging it to other corners of your screen; - pinching/unpinching the image to scale it.
8BitDo Ultimate Software
Gain complete control over your compatible gamepad. Customize button layouts, fine-tune analog stick and trigger responses, and manage vibration intensity. Create custom macro commands for advanced gameplay.
- Button mapping customization
- Stick and trigger sensitivity adjustment
- Vibration power control
- Macro creation
- Controller compatibility management
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8BitDo Ultimate Software gives you elite control over every piece of your controller: customize button mapping, adjust stick & trigger sensitivity, vibration power control and create macros. Controller Compatibility: * 8BitDo Pro 2 Bluetooth Controller * 8BitDo Pro 2 Wired Controller for Xbox * 8BitDo Ultimate Wired Controller for Xbox * 8BitDo Ultimate Bluetooth Controller * 8BitDo Micro Gamepad * 8BitDo Ultimate 3-mode Controller for Xbox Please visit support.8bitdo.com for further information and additional support.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: DrawRef at 92% against 8BitDo Ultimate Software's 26%. DrawRef also leads on rating (4.7 vs 2.2). 8BitDo Ultimate Software's advantage is update cadence (every 2 months vs every 9 months) and ratings volume (254 vs 70). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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.
DrawRef holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 2.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 70 and 254 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 92% of DrawRef's written reviews are positive against 26% of 8BitDo Ultimate Software's.
DrawRef ships an update every 9 months, 8BitDo Ultimate Software every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | DrawRef | 8BitDo Ultimate Software |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (70 ratings) — better | 2.2 (254 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 91.7% of reviews — better | 26.4% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 70 | 254 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 9 months | Every 2 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 11.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 1 MB | 167 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Vasilii Sverchkov | 8BitDo |
Customer experience
DrawRef
8BitDo Ultimate Software
Bugs and requests
DrawRef
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
8BitDo Ultimate Software
Reported bugs
4 issues- App unable to detect connected controllers
- Key mapping not working as expected
- Profiles resetting after app restart
- Firmware update issues bricking controllers
Requested features
5 requests- Support for more controllers (e.g. 8bitdo Zero 2, SN30 Pro+)
- Add ability to remap command/option keys for macOS/iOS
- Improve macro functionality (e.g. adjustable delay, ability to hold keys)
- Add media control key mapping options
- Implement Bluetooth firmware update capability
In-app purchases
DrawRef
No in-app purchases
8BitDo Ultimate Software
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is DrawRef free?
Is 8BitDo Ultimate Software free?
Which has better reviews, DrawRef or 8BitDo Ultimate Software?
Do DrawRef or 8BitDo Ultimate Software have ads?
Which is updated more often, DrawRef or 8BitDo Ultimate Software?
Other comparisons
