Comparison

Tracing Buddy vs Gridy

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

Head to head
About

Tracing Buddy

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
Read full description

Tracing Buddy is a drawing grid and anamorphic images creation tool. Built for simplicity, Tracing Buddy allows you to easily transfer pictures to a drawing surface Using the perspective distortion functionality, now you can enter the world of drawing illusions. First, apply the distortion to your images and then transfer them to a drawing surface with a grid The app is optimized for both iPhone and iPad use, including Dark Mode support Grid Features: - Square divisions or choose the preferred aspect ratio - Change color and transparency of grid lines - Choose from four subdivision styles and change color and transparency as you wish - Change the grid background color and the transparency of your image - Change the scale and position of your image relative to the whole grid - Save grid settings in projects Image Features: - Choose from a regular image, line art style, black & white values, or remove backgrounds with the person detection filter -With the B&W and values filter you change your image to black & white, adjust shadows and highlights to you liking with the included tone curve and reduce the number of values in the picture to a more manageable amount. With the value selection tool you can inspect where values are placed in your image - Use the person detection filter to remove the backgrounds of pictures with people in them, change to a transparent or solid color background instead Anamorphic images: - Add perspective distortion to your images choosing from two method: AR or using a picture - In AR method let Tracing Buddy guide you through the whole process, you only need an iOS device equipped with AR capabilities - If you need more control about the distortion, you can take a picture from your phone or with external camera and apply the distortion manually, for this method to be effective, you need to know the dimensions of the surface you want to transfer your picture to Premium Features Add-on (either by subscription or lifetime purchase) required for: - Ad removal - Premium Image filters - Multiple Project management - PNG type export Privacy Policy: https://lafappbrica.com/tracing-buddy-privacy-policy Terms of use https://lafappbrica.com/tracing-buddy-terms/

About

Gridy

This app simplifies digital drawing by applying a grid overlay to your images. It acts as a reference tool, making it easier for artists of all levels to start and complete their work.

Highlights
  • Grid overlay for digital drawing
  • Import images from Photos app
  • Customizable grid settings
  • iCloud sync across devices
  • Supports dark mode
  • Landscape and portrait orientation
Read full description

Gridy helps artists draw their digital images using Grid Method Drawing! Gridy applies a grid to your image, and allows you to use it as a reference when drawing! Starting a drawing will be easier, as you don’t have to find a complex solution to set up a grid reference on a digital image. Gridy is here to help artists - from beginners to seasoned vets. Some Features of Gridy • Images are imported from Photos app • Customization of grid row & column count, grid line color and grid line width • iCloud sync between your iOS devices • Works in landscape and portrait orientation • Dark Mode • Allows a max of 100 row/column count and a minimum of 5 row/column count

Screenshots

Tracing Buddy4 screens
Gridy3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Gridy at none against Tracing Buddy's 4. Gridy also leads on ads (none vs shown). Tracing Buddy's advantage is update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 23 months) and ratings volume (935 vs 6). On price, rating and device support 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. Tracing Buddy sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $0.49 per month. Gridy asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Tracing Buddy holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Tracing Buddy has 935 ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 62% of Tracing Buddy's written reviews are positive against 50% of Gridy's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Tracing Buddy ships an update every 6 weeks, Gridy every 23 months. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and June 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Tracing Buddy versus Gridy: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTracing BuddyGridy
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (935 ratings) — better4.3 (6 ratings)
Positive reviews62.3% of reviews — better50.0% of reviews
Number of ratings935 — better6
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeks — betterEvery 23 months
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size28 MB2 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLa FáppbricaSahil Gangele

Customer experience

Tracing Buddy

All ratings935 ratings
Positive88.4%
Neutral4.0%
Negative7.6%
Written reviews53 reviews
Positive62.3%
Neutral3.8%
Negative34.0%

Gridy

All ratings6 ratings
Positive83.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative16.7%
Written reviews6 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

Bugs and requests

Tracing Buddy

Reported bugs

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

Requested features

5 requests
  • 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

Gridy

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

4 purchases

Tracing Buddy

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Subscription$0.491 Month
  • Yearly subscription7 Days trial$3.991 Year
One-time2
  • Premium Features$9.99
  • Premium Features$12.99
None

Gridy

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Tracing Buddy free?
Tracing Buddy is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Gridy free?
Gridy is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Tracing Buddy or Gridy?
Tracing Buddy is rated higher. Tracing Buddy averages 4.5 out of 5 from 935 ratings, while Gridy averages 4.3 from 6 ratings.
Do Tracing Buddy or Gridy have ads?
Tracing Buddy shows ads; Gridy does not.
Which is updated more often, Tracing Buddy or Gridy?
Tracing Buddy ships an update every 6 weeks, and Gridy every 23 months. Most recently, Tracing Buddy was updated on September 21, 2026 and Gridy on June 4, 2026.

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