Comparison

VizRef vs ImgRef

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Read full description

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

About

ImgRef

This app is an all-in-one creative tool for mood boards, reference images, and collaging. It offers smart asset management, precise color picking, and free-form layout capabilities across multiple devices. Designed for various creative professionals, it streamlines workflows with advanced editing and import/export features.

Highlights
  • Unlimited canvas with smart caching
  • Multi-select batch processing
  • Professional workflow with keyboard shortcuts
  • Image editing and adjustments
  • Dynamic color picker
  • Cross-platform support (iOS/macOS)
  • Video frame extraction
  • GIF decomposition
Features
Read full description

「App Store Editor's Choice」 「98% 5-Star Ratings」 「Cross-Platform for iPhone/iPad/MacOS」 Redefine your creative workflow - an all-in-one tool combining mood boards, reference images, smart asset management, precise color picking, and free-form collaging across devices. Designed for UI/brand/illustration/photography/architecture/video storyboard and other creative scenarios, this is your professional reference image and inspiration board on iPhone / iPad / macOS. Core Features: 1. Unlimited Canvas: Smart caching and image management for large long-term libraries and smooth browsing. 2. Multi-Select Batch Processing: Select multiple images for adaptive scaling, smart layout, uniform size, copy, and alignment. 3. Professional Workflow: Full keyboard shortcuts (Mac / iPad keyboard) for faster frequent actions. 4. Image Editing: Rotate, crop, desaturate, flip, adjust opacity, layers, scale, and more. 5. Dynamic Color Picker: Pick any canvas color in real time and get common color codes. 6. Video Processing: MP4 playback and 4K still extraction for faster storyboards, covers, and video references. 7. Stylized Text: Built-in fonts and styles make notes, titles, and labels clearer on the canvas. 8. Magnetic Guides: Alignment hints and smart snapping for precise layouts. 9. GIF Decomposition: Break animations into frames for clearer detail references. 10. Import Methods: Clipboard, photo library, folders, camera, drag & drop (iPad / Mac). 11. Export Methods: Scene export and image group export for sharing and delivery. 12. Web Drag & Drop: Drag images from Pinterest / ArtStation / Midjourney / Pixiv / Instagram and more. 13. Multiple Modes: View, lock, and edit modes keep browsing and editing separate. 14. Brush Tools: Annotate and highlight key areas for more intuitive communication. 15. File Management: Grid/list views with multiple sorting options. 16. Canvas Zoom: Smooth zoom and pan for comfortable detail viewing. 17. Multi-Select Quick Alignment: Quick alignment/distribution after multi-select. 18. Backup & Import: Full backup and package import for migration and recovery. Pro Enhancements: 1. Image/GIF/Video Notes: Add notes to capture ideas and key points. 2. Preview Mode: Switch to a clean preview for focused viewing and presentations. 3. Advanced Crop: Fit different aspect ratios and compositions faster for cleaner output. 4. Image Blur: Blur images for privacy protection and richer visual layering. 5. High-Resolution Scene Export (PNG): Export full scenes as HD PNG for sharing and delivery. 6. File Favorites: Save frequent files for quick access to key references. 7. Category Tags: Tag files by use, project, or status for faster filtering. 8. Dotted Background: Toggle a dotted background for clearer edge contrast. 9. Canvas Grayscale: Focus on tone and composition with grayscale view. 10. Image Color Analysis: Extract dominant colors to understand palette relationships. 11. Layer Panel: Preview names, reorder, and quick select for efficient layer management. 12. Scheduled Playback: Timed switching, playback controls, and countdown. 13. Layer Search: Filter by type and keyword to quickly locate target content among many layers. 14. Brush Presets: Switch stroke width, color, and opacity for annotation, highlighting, and sketching. 15. Canvas RGB Single-Channel Preview: View R/G/B channels separately to analyze color distribution, tone, and detail. 16. Link Cards: Turn webpages into cover cards pinned on the canvas; one tap to open You can subscribe to ImgRef Pro. Charged to your iTunes account on confirmation. Auto-renews unless canceled 24+ hours before period end. Manage in iTunes Store. Privacy Policy: https://xunhuaref.cn/index.php/privacypolicy/ Terms of Use: https://xunhuaref.cn/index.php/privacypolicy/eula-en/ Download now and experience the smoothest creative tool in the Apple ecosystem! Thank you for reading. Contact us: Email: imgref@163.com

Screenshots

ImgRef4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: ImgRef at Free against VizRef's $3.99. ImgRef also leads on rating (4.7 vs 4.1) and update cadence (every 5 days vs every 3 months). VizRef's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and iOS requirement (13.2 vs 15.6). On review sentiment, ratings volume, ads and monetization model 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

ImgRef is free to download; VizRef costs $3.99 up front. ImgRef sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. VizRef asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

ImgRef holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.1. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 291 and 126 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 70% of VizRef's written reviews are positive against 77% of ImgRef's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

VizRef ships an update every 3 months, ImgRef every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 5, 2026 and October 12, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
VizRef versus ImgRef: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterVizRefImgRef
Price$3.99Free — better
Rating4.1 (291 ratings)4.7 (126 ratings) — better
Positive reviews69.8% of reviews77.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings291 — better126
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 5 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better
Requires iOS13.2 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size4 MB75 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperStudio Pixanoh文荣 李

Customer experience

VizRef

All ratings291 ratings
Positive73.9%
Neutral12.4%
Negative13.7%
Written reviews189 reviews
Positive69.8%
Neutral13.2%
Negative16.9%

ImgRef

All ratings126 ratings
Positive91.3%
Neutral0.8%
Negative7.9%
Written reviews44 reviews
Positive77.3%
Neutral4.5%
Negative18.2%

User reviews

VizRef

From 291 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Simple and intuitive interface
  • 🚀 Smooth and fast performance
  • 🎨 Helpful for organizing references
  • 💡 Useful for artists and creatives
  • 🔍 Convenient for gathering inspiration

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Crashes and stability issues
  • 🔒 Lack of backup/sync options
  • 🖌️ No annotation or note-taking features
  • 🔀 Difficulty rearranging/moving images
  • 💾 Limited image storage capacity

ImgRef

From 126 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Great alternative to Vizref
  • 👍 Simple and intuitive
  • 👍 Lots of features Vizref doesn't have
  • 👍 Satisfying image compilation
  • 👍 Lovely app and intuitive

Room to improve

  • 👎 Monotonous image selection and movement
  • 👎 Unappealing UI

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

ImgRef

Reported bugs

1 issue
  • Trouble importing images from other apps

Requested features

3 requests
  • Add cropping functionality
  • Implement doodle/text feature for notes
  • Add GIF frame reading function

In-app purchases

None

VizRef

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

ImgRef

Subscriptions2
  • pro_monthly$0.991 Month
  • ImgRef Annual Subscription$5.991 Year

Questions

Is VizRef free?
VizRef costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is ImgRef free?
ImgRef is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, VizRef or ImgRef?
ImgRef is rated higher. VizRef averages 4.1 out of 5 from 291 ratings, while ImgRef averages 4.7 from 126 ratings.
Do VizRef or ImgRef have ads?
Neither VizRef nor ImgRef shows ads.
Which is updated more often, VizRef or ImgRef?
VizRef ships an update every 3 months, and ImgRef every 5 days. Most recently, VizRef was updated on October 5, 2026 and ImgRef on October 12, 2026.

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