PainterAR vs TraceArt
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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
TraceArt
Transform your smartphone into a drawing tool. Trace photos and illustrations onto paper with adjustable outline thickness and screen brightness. Perfect for aspiring artists of all skill levels.
- Trace photos and illustrations
- Adjust outline thickness
- Adjust image size
- Screen lock with maximized brightness
- Save unlimited sketches
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Anyone can easily draw a good picture!! TraceArt is an app that allows you to trace photos and illustrations on your smartphone. You don't need talent for painting, all you need is a paper and pencil! *How to use the app 1.Select your favorite photo or illustration from the album. 2.Adjust the thickness of the outline and adjust the size of the image. 3. Lock the screen with the screen lock button (At the same time, the screen brightness is maximized) 4. Place the paper on the screen and draw a picture. You can save as many sketches as you like. *Others Use thin, transparent paper as much as possible. Photos and illustrations with clear boundaries are recommended. *Advertisements will be displayed in the free version. ICONS by icons8(https://icons8.com)
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: PainterAR at 4.4 against TraceArt's 2.1. PainterAR also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (weekly vs every 3 months). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model 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
Both are free to download. PainterAR sells 12 in-app purchases, starting at $8.99 per 7 days and TraceArt sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
PainterAR holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 2.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: PainterAR has 662 ratings behind it against 73, 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 14% of TraceArt's.
PainterAR ships an update weekly, TraceArt every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 9, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | PainterAR | TraceArt |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.4 (662 ratings) — better | 2.1 (73 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 33.3% of reviews — better | 14.3% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 662 — better | 73 |
| Update frequency | Weekly — better | Every 3 months |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | 14.2 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 188 MB | 5 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Painter AR Ltd. | KENICHI YAMAMOTO |
Customer experience
PainterAR
TraceArt
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
TraceArt
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
PainterAR
- PainterAR-PRO7 Days trial$8.997 Days
- First 3-Day Free3 Days trial$8.997 Days
- Painter PRO$8.997 Days
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- 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
- PainterAR PRO$79.99
TraceArt
- Remove ADs$2.99
Questions
Is PainterAR free?
Is TraceArt free?
Which has better reviews, PainterAR or TraceArt?
Do PainterAR or TraceArt have ads?
Which is updated more often, PainterAR or TraceArt?
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