DrawRef vs HandModel
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.
HandModel
A 3D hand model reference tool for artists. It uses your device's camera to detect and edit hand poses in real-time. Offers adjustable lighting for optimal viewing.
- 3D hand model reference
- Camera-based hand tracking
- Editable hand poses
- Adjustable lighting
- In-app purchase for ad removal and recording
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This is a 3D model viewing tool that can be used as a reference for drawing hands. Poses can be edited by detecting hand with the camera. 4 lights are available. lnApp purchase: Remove ads and Unlock the function to record editing. This software includes the work that is distributed in the Apache license 2.0.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: DrawRef at 92% against HandModel's 45%. DrawRef also leads on rating (4.7 vs 2.8) and in-app purchases (none vs 1). On price, update cadence, 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. HandModel sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. DrawRef asks for nothing beyond the download.
DrawRef holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 2.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 70 and 22 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 92% of DrawRef's written reviews are positive against 45% of HandModel's.
Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 9 months. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | DrawRef | HandModel |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (70 ratings) — better | 2.8 (22 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 91.7% of reviews — better | 44.8% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 70 — better | 22 |
| Update frequency | Every 9 months | Every 9 months |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 15.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 1 MB | 82 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Vasilii Sverchkov | Kosuke Nishioka |
Customer experience
DrawRef
HandModel
In-app purchases
DrawRef
No in-app purchases
HandModel
- Remove Ads, Unlock saveslots$1.99
