Comparison

PainterAR vs Drawings

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

Drawings

Features
Read full description

Welcome to Drawings, where creativity knows no bounds! Whether you're a seasoned artist or just starting out, Drawings has everything you need to bring your ideas to life. Easily adjust canvas size, customize backgrounds with a variety of colors, and use overlay images as guides to perfect your drawings. With the ability to manage each stroke independently, you have complete control over your masterpiece. Get ready to unleash your creativity and embark on your artistic journey with us today!

Screenshots

PainterAR4 screens
Drawings3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: PainterAR at Free against Drawings's $0.99. PainterAR also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 7 months). Drawings's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 12). On ads, device support and iOS requirement 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

PainterAR is free to download; Drawings costs $0.99 up front. PainterAR sells 12 in-app purchases, starting at $8.99 per 7 days. Drawings asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PainterAR ships an update weekly, Drawings every 7 months. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 11, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
PainterAR versus Drawings: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPainterARDrawings
PriceFree — better$0.99
Rating4.4 (663 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews32.9% of reviews—
Number of ratings663 — better—
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 7 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.6 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size190 MB3 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPainter AR Ltd.Guillermo Cique

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

Drawings

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$34.991 Year
One-time1
  • PainterAR PRO$79.99
None

Drawings

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is PainterAR free?
PainterAR is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Drawings free?
Drawings costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do PainterAR or Drawings have ads?
Neither PainterAR nor Drawings shows ads.
Which is updated more often, PainterAR or Drawings?
PainterAR ships an update weekly, and Drawings every 7 months. Most recently, PainterAR was updated on October 24, 2026 and Drawings on October 11, 2026.

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