# Tracing Buddy vs Rodin

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Rodin at none against Tracing Buddy's 4. Rodin also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 4 days vs every 6 weeks). Tracing Buddy's advantage is review sentiment (63% vs 50%). On price and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Tracing Buddy sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $0.49 per month. Rodin asks for nothing beyond the download.

Tracing Buddy ships an update every 6 weeks, Rodin every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Tracing Buddy | Rodin |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.5 (956 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tracing-buddy-drawing-grid/id1470174296/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **956** | — |
| Positive reviews | **63.5% of reviews** | 50.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | **Every 4 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 28 MB | 4 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **12.2** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [La Fáppbrica](https://appshunter.io/developer/1470174145) | [Link2Soft](https://appshunter.io/developer/535570178) |

## What reviewers say

### Tracing Buddy

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tracing-buddy-drawing-grid/id1470174296)

Easily transfer images to a drawing surface using a grid system. Create drawing illusions with perspective distortion and anamorphic images. Offers various image filters and grid customization options.

**Highlights:** Drawing grid with customizable lines and subdivisions, Perspective distortion for anamorphic illusions, Image filters: line art, black & white, background removal, AR-guided distortion process, Manual distortion control, Save grid settings in projects

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Subscription | $0.49 | per month |
| Yearly subscription | $3.99 | per year |
| Premium Features | $9.99 | one-time |
| Premium Features | $12.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fantastic app
- 👍 Great app
- 👍 Versatile and easy to use
- 👍 Cheap and has just the perfect amount of help
- 👍 Awesome app for pencil drawing and watercolor

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Zoom feature not working
- 🐛 Grid feature not working as expected
- 🐛 Lock feature not working properly
- 🐛 Instructions and customer support not helpful
- 🐛 Ads cover drawing area

**Reported bugs**

- Zoom feature not working
- Grid feature not working as expected
- Lock feature not working properly
- App only works once, can't reuse

**Requested features**

- Ability to crop photo inside the app
- Easier way to start a new drawing
- Ability to rotate image
- Grid with numbered overlay and adjustable starting point
- Grid size based on specific measurements


### Rodin

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rodin/id1502955204)

This platform serves as a creative outlet for artists and designers to showcase their work. It hosts national painting and drawing competitions, inviting participation from artists, creative enthusiasts, and students. The initiative aims to promote artistic expression and has been running annually since its inception.

**Highlights:** National painting competitions, National drawing competitions, Platform for artists, Showcase artistic work, Creative expression forum

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Tracing Buddy free?

Tracing Buddy is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Rodin free?

Rodin is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do Tracing Buddy or Rodin have ads?

Tracing Buddy shows ads; Rodin does not.

### Which is updated more often, Tracing Buddy or Rodin?

Tracing Buddy ships an update every 6 weeks, and Rodin every 4 days. Most recently, Tracing Buddy was updated on October 26, 2026 and Rodin on October 24, 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.*