Comparison

PainterAR vs Flowly

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

Flowly

This app allows you to trace images and text onto a surface using your mobile device's camera. It offers free fonts and shapes, with a pro version unlocking custom uploads and advanced features.

Highlights
  • Camera-based tracing
  • Free fonts and shapes
  • Upload custom images
  • Access exclusive designs
  • Unlimited preset layers
  • AR drawing capabilities
Read full description

Not ready for a projector? Flowly is a camera based tracing tool that comes with choices of free fonts and shapes for your drawing. How to draw - Put your mobile device on a tall glass with camera lens facing down. - Place your canvas underneath the camera lens. - Trace the image while looking through the camera view. - The app doesn’t physically project images onto the surface because a mobile device doesn’t have the capability to do so. Pro version (monthly or yearly subscription) - Upload your own images and fonts - Access to advanced features - Access to exclusive calligraphy designs and line arts - Unlimited preset layers Terms of Use https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Email: admin@flowlyapp.com

Screenshots

PainterAR4 screens
Flowly4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: PainterAR at 4.4 against Flowly's 4.1. PainterAR also leads on ratings volume (662 vs 54) and update cadence (weekly vs every 3 weeks). Flowly's advantage is review sentiment (42% vs 33%). 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 Flowly sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. 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 4.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: PainterAR has 662 ratings behind it against 54, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 33% of PainterAR's written reviews are positive against 42% of Flowly's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PainterAR ships an update weekly, Flowly every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
PainterAR versus Flowly: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPainterARFlowly
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (662 ratings) — better4.1 (54 ratings)
Positive reviews33.3% of reviews41.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings662 — better54
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.615.5 — better
Further details — not scored
Size188 MB39 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPainter AR Ltd.Flowly LLC

Customer experience

PainterAR

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

Flowly

All ratings54 ratings
Positive77.8%
Neutral3.7%
Negative18.5%
Written reviews12 reviews
Positive41.7%
Neutral8.3%
Negative50.0%

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

Flowly

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
2 purchases

Flowly

Subscriptions2
  • Flowly Pro Features7 Days trial$3.991 Month
  • Flowly Pro Features7 Days trial$24.991 Year

Questions

Is PainterAR free?
PainterAR is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Flowly free?
Flowly is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, PainterAR or Flowly?
PainterAR is rated higher. PainterAR averages 4.4 out of 5 from 662 ratings, while Flowly averages 4.1 from 54 ratings.
Do PainterAR or Flowly have ads?
Neither PainterAR nor Flowly shows ads.
Which is updated more often, PainterAR or Flowly?
PainterAR ships an update weekly, and Flowly every 3 weeks. Most recently, PainterAR was updated on September 25, 2026 and Flowly on September 6, 2026.

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