Comparison

Tracing Buddy vs Head Model Studio

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

Head Model Studio

Master portrait drawing with detailed 3D head models. Study facial planes and geometry with customizable lighting and rendering options. Perfect for artists looking to elevate their sketching skills.

Highlights
  • Detailed 3D head models
  • Plane and geometry study
  • Customizable lighting (environmental & studio)
  • Adjustable rendering (edge outline, shininess)
  • Pre-made practice scenes
  • Zoom, tilt, and rotate controls
Features
Read full description

Draw better portraits with Head Model Studio. Study faces in detail from simple planes to complex geometry. It is the best iOS / iPadOS application to learn and study faces in detail. Take your sketches to the next level. INSPIRED BY FAMOUS TECHNIQUES Inspired by master methodologies, Head Model Studio comes with 25 different models, including 2 free. From simple to more detailed models, progress easily by understanding the planes of the face. Expand your practice with 5 classical models. COMPLETE CONTROL You have complete control over the 3D models. Zoom, tilt, and rotate to study each part of the model at will. ENVIRONMENTAL & STUDIO LIGHTING Realistic environmental lighting based on HDR photos, recreate a sunrise, midday, or sunset illumination. Switch to Studio Lighting to create amazing lighting composition with multiple spotlights and different colors. Change the lighting to be at any angle or intensity. Perfect to study the planes of the head and understand tones. CUSTOMISABLE RENDERING The edge outline highlights the planes for easier practice. Turn it off once comfortable and practice in a more realistic setting. Modify the shininess for a different material rendering. PRE-MADE PRACTICE Want to learn to draw but unsure where or how to start? We’ve created a bunch of scenes to get you started. PRICING Head Model Studio offers a couple of free models. A premium access is required to access the rest of the models. Lifetime and Yearly (non-recurring) options are available. WE LOVE FEEDBACK I love coding and drawing, feel free to reach out, and tell me what feature you'd love to see in the app. Terms & Conditions: https://headmodelstudio.com/terms-conditions/

Screenshots

Tracing Buddy4 screens
Head Model Studio4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Head Model Studio at none against Tracing Buddy's shown. Head Model Studio also leads on review sentiment (76% vs 63%). On price, rating, ratings volume and update cadence 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 and Head Model Studio sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $9.00 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.5 for Tracing Buddy against 4.6 for Head Model Studio. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 956 and 2.5K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 63% of Tracing Buddy's written reviews are positive against 76% of Head Model Studio's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Tracing Buddy ships an update every 6 weeks, Head Model Studio monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Tracing Buddy versus Head Model Studio: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTracing BuddyHead Model Studio
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (956 ratings)4.6 (2.5K ratings) — better
Positive reviews63.5% of reviews76.4% of reviews — better
Number of ratings9562.5K — better
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksMonthly — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better16.4
Further details — not scored
Size28 MB2.2 GB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLa FáppbricaWes Castain

Customer experience

Tracing Buddy

All ratings935 ratings
Positive88.4%
Neutral4.0%
Negative7.6%
Written reviews63 reviews
Positive63.5%
Neutral3.2%
Negative33.3%

Head Model Studio

All ratings2,464 ratings
Positive90.8%
Neutral3.6%
Negative5.6%
Written reviews237 reviews
Positive76.4%
Neutral9.3%
Negative14.3%

User reviews

Tracing Buddy

From 956 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 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

Room to improve

  • 🐛 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

Head Model Studio

From 2.5K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🎨 Excellent reference tool for artists
  • 🔍 Helpful for understanding head anatomy and planes
  • 🔧 Customizable lighting and model features
  • 💰 Reasonable subscription pricing

Room to improve

  • 💰 Premium features locked behind paywall
  • 🔒 Lack of free trial to test premium content
  • 🔧 Limited customization options for free users
  • 🐛 Occasional technical issues with lighting and model adjustments

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

Head Model Studio

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Sudden loss of model functionality after updates
  • Overheating issues on some devices

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add female Loomis head models
  • Expand customization options for paid users
  • Implement full-body reference models
  • Provide option for one-time lifetime purchase

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
4 purchases

Head Model Studio

Subscriptions2
  • 1 Month Access$9.001 Month
  • 1 Year Access$16.001 Year
One-time2
  • 1 Year Access$23.00
  • Lifetime Access$50.00

Questions

Is Tracing Buddy free?
Tracing Buddy is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Head Model Studio free?
Head Model Studio is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Tracing Buddy or Head Model Studio?
Head Model Studio is rated higher. Tracing Buddy averages 4.5 out of 5 from 956 ratings, while Head Model Studio averages 4.6 from 2.5K ratings.
Do Tracing Buddy or Head Model Studio have ads?
Tracing Buddy shows ads; Head Model Studio does not.
Which is updated more often, Tracing Buddy or Head Model Studio?
Tracing Buddy ships an update every 6 weeks, and Head Model Studio monthly. Most recently, Tracing Buddy was updated on October 26, 2026 and Head Model Studio on October 30, 2026.

Other comparisons