Comparison

PainterAR vs TraceAR

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

Head to head
About

PainterAR

Transform your paper sketches into digital art with augmented reality projection and advanced tracing tools. This app offers a complete workflow from initial drawing to digital inking and coloring, with professional layering and a curated inspiration library.

Highlights
  • AR drawing with stable projection
  • Advanced AR anchor mode for free movement
  • Smart plane detection for instant surface recognition
  • Import sketches for digital inking
  • 30+ professional brushes
  • Infinite layers system for complex edits
  • Curated inspiration library and courses
Features
Read full description

Experience the ultimate "Paper-to-Digital" creative companion. Unlike simple tracing apps, PainterAR creates a complete loop from "Paper Sketch" to "Digital Art". Whether you are a beginner building confidence or a comic enthusiast pursuing professional results, you will find the perfect solution here. 【KEY FEATURES】 1. AR Drawing: Perfect Proportions Technology makes observation intuitive. • Stand Mode: Stable projection with zero latency. The ideal way for beginners to master hand-eye coordination. • Advanced AR Anchor Mode: Lock your virtual art to the paper by snapping a custom anchor (e.g., a doodle or card). Move your phone freely to check details without drift—ideal for easels or detailed desk work. • Smart Plane Detection: Instantly detects surfaces without markers. Start creating anywhere, anytime. 2. Digital Inking & Coloring Classic digital art workflow made easy. • Import & Inking: One-tap import of pencil sketches as a reference layer. • Pro Brush Library: 30+ selected brushes (pencils, ink pens, markers, etc.) for any style. 3. Infinite Layers System Modify without fear. • Professional Layering: Manage line art, base colors, and shadows on separate layers to keep even complex works organized. • Non-Destructive Workflow: Change color schemes anytime without ruining your original line art. 4. Curated Inspiration Library Quality over quantity. • Exclusive Originals: Explore themes from "Fantasy Props" to "Cat Girl" and "Mystic Elf Theatre". • Progressive Courses: From beginner "Playful Shape Friends" to advanced "Fan Art". Every lesson blends storytelling with skills, helping you create stylish art immediately. 【WHO IS IT FOR?】 • Comic Fans: Master the "Sketch -> Import -> Color" workflow. • Beginners: Use AR to fix proportions and build confidence. • Pros: Visual aid for anatomy and perspective. 【AWARDS】 ▶ Microsoft “Imagine Cup” – Top 3 ▶ 13th “Challenge Cup” – 1st Place ▶ 2nd “Internet+” Innovation Competition – 1st Place ▶ 4th College Innovation Competition – 1st Place Privacy Policy: https://painterar.com/Privacy.aspx Terms of Use: https://painterar.com/Terms.aspx Download PainterAR now. Turn your sketchbook into a digital studio! Contact: support@painterar.com

About

TraceAR

Transform photos into outlines and use augmented reality to project them onto paper for tracing via your device's camera. A demo is included, with an in-app purchase to unlock your personal photo library.

Highlights
  • Photo to outline conversion
  • Augmented reality projection
  • Trace images with device camera
  • Demo image for testing
  • Unlock personal photo library via IAP
Features
Read full description

Convert a photo into an outline then use augmented reality to project the image onto paper and trace through your device's camera. The app includes a demo image to try out the tracing features and if you like it - then through an In-App purchase you can unlock access to your personal photo library to trace one of your own images. The augmented reality feature requires an image to 'anchor' to - so it's a good idea to use something like a ruler or a passport photo as an anchor point. - The app needs access to your camera in order to use augmented reality tracing. - To select your own photo, the app needs access to your photo library if you purchase the In-App Purchase option

Screenshots

PainterAR4 screens
TraceAR1 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: PainterAR at 4.4 against TraceAR's 1.0. PainterAR also leads on review sentiment (33% vs 0%) and ratings volume (662 vs 3). TraceAR's advantage is update cadence (daily vs weekly) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.6). On price, ads, in-app purchases 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

Both are free to download. PainterAR sells 12 in-app purchases, starting at $8.99 per 7 days and TraceAR sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

PainterAR holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 1.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: PainterAR has 662 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 33% of PainterAR's written reviews are positive against 0% of TraceAR's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PainterAR ships an update weekly, TraceAR daily. The most recent releases landed on September 30, 2026 and September 19, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
PainterAR versus TraceAR: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPainterARTraceAR
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (662 ratings) — better1.0 (3 ratings)
Positive reviews33.3% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings662 — better3
Update frequencyWeeklyDaily — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.613.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size188 MB4 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPainter AR Ltd.DavidsonAHW

Customer experience

PainterAR

All ratings662 ratings
Positive82.9%
Neutral3.0%
Negative14.0%
Written reviews78 reviews
Positive33.3%
Neutral5.1%
Negative61.5%

TraceAR

All ratings3 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

Bugs and requests

PainterAR

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • App crashes frequently during use
  • Issues with loading own photos and images
  • AR mode is unreliable and hard to control

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add more free drawing options and templates
  • Improve the ability to use own photos and images
  • Provide better instructions and tutorials for new users
  • Fix crashes and stability issues

TraceAR

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

12 purchases

PainterAR

Subscriptions11
  • PainterAR-PRO7 Days trial$8.997 Days
  • First 3-Day Free3 Days trial$8.997 Days
  • Painter PRO$8.997 Days
Show 8 more
  • PainterAR-PRO7 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • 1 Month$9.991 Month
  • PainterAR-PRO1 Month trial$9.991 Month
  • PainterAR PRO$29.993 Months
  • Special Offer$29.991 Year
  • 1 Year1 Year trial$29.991 Year
  • PainterAR-PRO7 Days trial$29.991 Year
  • First 3-Day Free3 Days trial$39.991 Year
One-time1
  • PainterAR PRO$79.99
1 purchases

TraceAR

One-time1
  • Unlock Photo Library$1.99

Questions

Is PainterAR free?
PainterAR is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is TraceAR free?
TraceAR is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, PainterAR or TraceAR?
PainterAR is rated higher. PainterAR averages 4.4 out of 5 from 662 ratings, while TraceAR averages 1.0 from 3 ratings.
Do PainterAR or TraceAR have ads?
Neither PainterAR nor TraceAR shows ads.
Which is updated more often, PainterAR or TraceAR?
PainterAR ships an update weekly, and TraceAR daily. Most recently, PainterAR was updated on September 30, 2026 and TraceAR on September 19, 2026.

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