Comparison

Tracing Buddy vs GridArt

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

GridArt

This app helps artists accurately sketch or replicate images using the grid drawing technique. It overlays customizable grids on any image, offering features like sketch filters and measurement-based setup to streamline the artistic process.

Highlights
  • Drawing grid overlay on images
  • Diagonal grid option
  • Customizable grid color and opacity
  • Sketch filter for image simplification
  • Measurement-based grid setup
  • Zoom functionality
  • Convert images to black and white
Features
Read full description

With precision and confidence using GridArt – a powerful tool that helps artists accurately sketch or replicate images using the classic grid drawing technique. Whether you're an aspiring artist or a seasoned professional, GridArt streamlines the process of transferring images to your canvas by guiding you square by square. With a range of customization options, GridArt makes it easier than ever to overlay grids, adjust cell sizes, apply sketch filters, and prepare reference images for drawing, painting, or other artistic work. Key Features: * Drawing grid overlay on any image * Diagonal grid option for improved outline accuracy * Multiple grid label styles * Customizable grid color, opacity, and text size * Sketch filter to simplify image details * Measurement-based grid setup (mm, cm, inch) * Zoom functionality for detailed viewing * Adjustable cell and page sizes * Convert images to black and white * Crop images to specific aspect ratios * Enable or disable row-column labels with customizable formatting Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://chief-cheque-627.notion.site/Privacy-Policy-23e6adfdb3748140a9e5f78e9ce25995

Screenshots

Tracing Buddy4 screens
GridArt4 screens

Verdict

The call

Tracing Buddy and GridArt both sit at 4.5 stars, but that hides the real split: 63% of Tracing Buddy's written reviews are positive against 33% of GridArt's. Tracing Buddy also leads on ratings volume (956 vs 225). On price, rating, update cadence and ads 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 GridArt sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days. 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 4.5 for GridArt. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 956 and 225 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 63% of Tracing Buddy's written reviews are positive against 33% of GridArt's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Tracing Buddy ships an update every 6 weeks, GridArt every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 27, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Tracing Buddy versus GridArt: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTracing BuddyGridArt
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (956 ratings) — better4.5 (225 ratings)
Positive reviews63.5% of reviews — better33.3% of reviews
Number of ratings956 — better225
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeks — betterEvery 2 months
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.015.0
Further details — not scored
Size28 MB48 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperLa FáppbricaVaghani Keyur

Customer experience

Tracing Buddy

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

GridArt

All ratings222 ratings
Positive88.3%
Neutral3.2%
Negative8.6%
Written reviews24 reviews
Positive33.3%
Neutral4.2%
Negative62.5%

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

GridArt

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
2 purchases

GridArt

Subscriptions2
  • GridArt Weekly Premium$3.997 Days
  • GridArt Monthly Premium3 Days trial$12.991 Month

Questions

Is Tracing Buddy free?
Tracing Buddy is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is GridArt free?
GridArt is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Tracing Buddy or GridArt?
Tracing Buddy is rated higher. Tracing Buddy averages 4.5 out of 5 from 956 ratings, while GridArt averages 4.5 from 225 ratings.
Do Tracing Buddy or GridArt have ads?
Both Tracing Buddy and GridArt show ads.
Which is updated more often, Tracing Buddy or GridArt?
Tracing Buddy ships an update every 6 weeks, and GridArt every 2 months. Most recently, Tracing Buddy was updated on October 26, 2026 and GridArt on October 27, 2026.

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