Comparison

VizRef Lite vs Graintouch

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

Head to head
About

VizRef Lite

This app allows creatives to build and carry visual reference boards on their iPhone. It supports various image types, including GIFs, and integrates with popular drawing applications, acting as a second monitor for inspiration on the go.

Highlights
  • Create visual reference boards
  • Import images from web, cloud, photos
  • Supports animated GIFs with timeline control
  • Use iPhone as a second monitor
  • Batch import and export
  • Image editing tools (crop, flip, rotate)
  • Light and Dark mode
Features
Read full description

VizRef Lite® for iPhone enables creatives to finally take their inspiration anywhere on their phones. *You can not use iPad multitasking features with the iPhone version of VizRef. Please Download VIZREF for use on iPad. * It becomes the perfect companion app for Procreate or paired with your favorite drawing/animation application by using your iPhone as a second monitor dedicated to references. Take your reference boards with you while you travel and draw in your sketchbook. 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. We are dedicated to bringing creatives what they need most in being inspired everywhere they go. HIGHLIGHTS -VIZREF LITE® version for iPhone has all the same in-app features as VIZREF on iPad ( Vizref Lite if used on IPad does not have multitasking features and is not fullscreen. For iPad please purchase VIZREF® -Take your visual reference boards with you while you sketch at your favorite locations -Perfect companion app paired with Procreate® Adobe Fresco ® Clip Studio Paint® Infinite Painter® etc. by utilizing iPhone as a second monitor along with an iPad -Supports many image types including GIF -Quickly copy and paste images from web -Batch Import from Photos app -Batch Export images from boards to cloud storage using Files app -Import High-Resolution images with HD toggle -*Focus on whats importing with Focus mode. ( rotate imageboard ) *Multi-Select and auto pack images for a quicker workflow * - -Import from iCloud, Dropbox, Google Drive -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 (@mrbeezul) and RoboWorld Entertainment with supporting development from Valere Labs

About

Graintouch

Create digital art with a unique printmaking aesthetic. This app simulates the look and feel of Risograph printing, allowing for layered colors, organic brush strokes, and textured effects. Export your work as clean vector stencils for print.

Highlights
  • Organic vector brush for layered colors
  • Realistic print simulation
  • Minimalist user interface
  • Curated color palette
  • Vector stencil export
Features
Read full description

Graintouch is a drawing app with the soul of print. Inspired by Risograph™ aesthetics, it lets you layer, blend, and create with the warmth of real ink—right on your screen. BOOL BRUSH A bold, organic vector brush that stacks colors like ink on paper. Blend, overlap, knockout and build rich textures with effortless strokes. PRINT SIMULATION See your artwork as if it just rolled off a risograph. Offset imperfections, layered tints, and the charm of real ink—without the mess. MINIMAL UI Nothing in your way, just pure drawing. A clean, focused space where tools feel like an extension of your hand. COLORFUL CONSTRAINTS A playful palette of 18 handpicked inks, straight from the riso universe. Instead of endless choice, you get meaningful constraints that spark creativity—just like mixing real inks on a print run. VECTOR STENCILS Every Layer becomes a crisp, resolution-independent stencil. Your drawings export as clean vector stencils, perfect for scaling, separating by color, and bringing straight to print—no loss, just pure shapes.

Screenshots

VizRef Lite4 screens
Graintouch4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: VizRef Lite at $1.99 against Graintouch's $9.99. Graintouch's advantage is review sentiment (57% vs 48%). On rating, ratings volume, update cadence and ads 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

VizRef Lite costs $1.99 and Graintouch $9.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 3.8 for VizRef Lite against 3.7 for Graintouch. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 38 and 24 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 48% of VizRef Lite's written reviews are positive against 57% of Graintouch's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 8 level
VizRef Lite versus Graintouch: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterVizRef LiteGraintouch
Price$1.99 — better$9.99
Rating3.8 (38 ratings) — better3.7 (24 ratings)
Positive reviews47.7% of reviews56.5% of reviews — better
Number of ratings38 — better24
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree — betterPaid
Best chart rank#14 — better#23
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS13.213.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size4 MB81 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperStudio PixanohIORAMA AB

Customer experience

VizRef Lite

All ratings38 ratings
Positive68.4%
Neutral7.9%
Negative23.7%
Written reviews44 reviews
Positive47.7%
Neutral27.3%
Negative25.0%

Graintouch

All ratings24 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral8.3%
Negative25.0%
Written reviews23 reviews
Positive56.5%
Neutral8.7%
Negative34.8%

In-app purchases

None

VizRef Lite

No in-app purchases

None

Graintouch

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is VizRef Lite free?
VizRef Lite costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Graintouch free?
Graintouch costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, VizRef Lite or Graintouch?
VizRef Lite is rated higher. VizRef Lite averages 3.8 out of 5 from 38 ratings, while Graintouch averages 3.7 from 24 ratings.
Do VizRef Lite or Graintouch have ads?
Neither VizRef Lite nor Graintouch shows ads.
Which is updated more often, VizRef Lite or Graintouch?
VizRef Lite ships an update every 3 months, and Graintouch every 3 months. Most recently, VizRef Lite was updated on October 29, 2026 and Graintouch on October 30, 2026.
Which is more popular, VizRef Lite or Graintouch?
VizRef Lite currently peaks at #14 in the App Store charts, and Graintouch at #23. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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