VizRef vs Zbrush
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
VizRef
This app allows artists and animators to create visual reference boards using images and GIFs from various sources. It integrates with popular drawing applications, offering tools to organize and refine inspiration for creative projects.
- Create visual reference boards
- Import images and GIFs from web, cloud, photos
- Companion app for Procreate, Adobe Fresco, etc.
- Organize inspiration with thumbnails
- Animated GIF support with frame-by-frame playback
- Image editing tools: crop, greyscale, flip, rotate
- Drag and drop from web, batch import
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VizRef for iPad enables creatives to finally take their inspiration anywhere. It becomes the perfect companion app for Procreate® or paired with your favorite drawing/animation application by utilizing iPad IOS multitasking features. Clear up your hard to find hidden layers in your drawing app and easily organize your inspiration on the go. Make visual reference boards with any images or gifs from web browsers, cloud storage, photos, screen captures and more. The first mood board creation app made by artists for artists, that brings comprehensive referencing tools to animators and visual artists/en. We are dedicated to bringing creatives what they need most in being inspired everywhere they go. HIGHLIGHTS -Perfect companion app paired with Procreate® Adobe Fresco ® Clip Studio Paint® Infinite Painter® etc. by utilizing iPad IOS multitasking features -Supports many image types including GIF -Drag and drop from web -Batch Import from Photos app -Batch Export images from boards to cloud storage using Files app - *Multi-Select and auto pack images for a quicker workflow * -Import High-Resolution images with HD toggle _*Focus on whats importing with Focus mode. ( rotate imageboard ) -Batch Import from iCloud, Dropbox, Google Drive with split-screen -Quick and responsive visual reference board experience -Easy to use/ minimal UI -Light mode and Dark mode -Set thumbnails for reference boards to visually organize your inspiration ANIMATED GIF SUPPORT -Reference your favorite animated gifs -Pause animation and play frame by frame to better understand referenced animations -Advanced animation timeline gives you an interactive visual breakdown of all frames EASY TO USE REFERENCE TOOLS -Crop images to optimize screen space and view more references -Greyscale toggle for images for value reference -Flip horizontally and vertically -Rotate Images -Copy-paste images into other apps Artwork and animation credits @_Artazi @_baomii @_Deadslug_ @amnesiapancake @barachan @belgeist @criisalys @ergo.josh @evan_monteiro @gloomwastaken @mrbeezul @onemegawatt @rocketboiART @samuelyounart @cobalt_requin VizRef was created by Max Gonzalez and RoboWorld Entertainment with supporting development from Valere Labs
Zbrush
Create professional 3D models and digital sculptures on your iPad. This app offers advanced sculpting, painting, and modeling tools with desktop-quality performance, ideal for artists on the go. Seamlessly integrate with desktop workflows for a complete creative experience.
- Pressure-sensitive sculpting with Apple Pencil
- 200+ digital sculpting brushes
- Advanced 3D modeling tools
- Seamless desktop-iPad workflow
- High-resolution polygon support
- 3D painting without UV setup
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ZBrush for iPad. Create stunning 3D models, digital sculptures, concept art and detailed characters with ZBrush for iPad - the award winning, industry-leading digital sculpting app trusted by professional artists across film, games, collectibles, toy design, jewelry, illustration and 3D design. ZBrush for iPad brings unrivaled design power to the iPad for a fully immersive 3D sculpting and painting experience. Take creativity on the go with our proprietary brush system, intuitive controls and boundless resolution capabilities. Get started at no cost with ZBrush for iPad, which offers a comprehensive feature set designed to enable you to begin creating immediately, with the option to upgrade at any time. Already a subscriber to Maxon One or ZBrush for desktop? Simply download the iPad app and activate your license in the app. WHY ARTISTS CHOOSE ZBrush? ZBrush is the industry-leading 3D sculpting software built for Apple workflows and trusted by professional 3D creators worldwide. With over 200 digital sculpting brushes, advanced 3D modeling tools and desktop-quality performance, ZBrush offers game, film and concept artists powerful tools for 3D designing, printing and digital sculpting. TURN YOUR TABLET INTO A PROFESSIONAL CANVAS: • Pressure-sensitive sculpting with Apple Pencil • Sculptris Pro dynamic tessellation • DynaMesh digital clay workflow • ZRemesher automatic retopology • Live Boolean modeling tools • PolyPaint 3D painting without UV setup • NanoMesh & Array Mesh workflows • Surface Noise procedural detailing • Retopo Brush for clean topology • Subdivision modeling tools • VDM Brushes for advanced detailing Sculpt, carve, smooth, cut and paint directly onto your 3D models with fluid, responsive controls built for touch and stylus workflows. SEAMLESS DESKTOP-iPAD WORKFLOW • Use GoZ to move ZTool and ZProject files between iPad and desktop in one-click. • Use custom hotkeys and keep identical controls across devices for uninterrupted sculpting and 3D modeling. • Unwrap models with UV Master • Export directly to 3D printers using 3D Print Hub • Get full control over surface detail with our Texture, UV and Displacement Map tools • Start with built-in base meshes or scan real-world objects using photogrammetry tools to accelerate your workflow. DESKTOP-LEVEL 3D PERFORMANCE ON iPAD ZBrush for iPad supports up to 90+ million polygons per mesh on an M4 or newer iPad, delivering powerful high-resolution sculpting wherever you work, while Apple Pencil Pro offers squeeze and roll support, double-tap gestures, intuitive touch controls and fast undo and redo gestures to keep your creative flow uninterrupted. WHO USES ZBRUSH? 1. Game Developers who sculpt detailed characters, environments and in-game assets from concept to final 3D model 2. 3D creators who design toys, collectibles or cosplay and simply want to achieve accurate 3D printing 3. Visual designers who build realistic characters and visual effects for film and concept art 4. Industry product designers who design jewelry, sneakers and components 5. Creative artists that want to take advantage of today's 3D printers for costume, architecture, hardware and more. 6. 2D artists who want to ‘level up’ learning how to design in 3D Download ZBrush for iPad today and create professional 3D art, digital sculptures and high-resolution models anywhere. LANGUAGE SUPPORT ZBrush supports English, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Spanish, German, French and Portuguese (BR).
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Zbrush at Free against VizRef's $3.99. Zbrush also leads on review sentiment (85% vs 70%) and update cadence (monthly vs every 3 months). VizRef's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and iOS requirement (13.2 vs 17.0). On rating, ratings volume, ads 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
Zbrush is free to download; VizRef costs $3.99 up front. Zbrush sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. VizRef asks for nothing beyond the download.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.1 for VizRef against 4.1 for Zbrush. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 291 and 245 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 70% of VizRef's written reviews are positive against 85% of Zbrush's.
VizRef ships an update every 3 months, Zbrush monthly. Both last shipped on October 13, 2026.
| Parameter | VizRef | Zbrush |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.1 (291 ratings) | 4.1 (245 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 69.8% of reviews | 85.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 291 — better | 245 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Monthly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Freemium |
| Devices | iPad | iPad |
| Requires iOS | 13.2 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 4 MB | 1.1 GB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Studio Pixanoh | MAXON Computer GmbH |
Customer experience
VizRef
Zbrush
Bugs and requests
VizRef
Reported bugs
4 issues- Crashing when opening new boards
- Issues with exporting boards and images
- Losing images from boards unexpectedly
- Limits on number of images per board
Requested features
5 requests- Add text/drawing tools for annotations
- Implement cloud sync and backup options
- Allow multi-select and batch operations
- Provide more flexible image manipulation
- Add folders/organization for boards
Zbrush
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
VizRef
No in-app purchases
Zbrush
- ZBrush Monthly$9.991 Month
- ZBrush Annual$89.991 Year







