Tracing vs MoNo
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Tracing
Easily trace photos and images to create your own hand-drawn art. This tool is designed for beginners to practice drawing skills without needing professional art training. Import images, adjust their position and transparency, and use a simple two-layer system for a clean drawing process.
- Import and trace photos
- Move, rotate, and scale reference images
- Adjustable image opacity
- Two-layer system for drawing and coloring
- Beginner-focused drawing practice
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Trace is a simple drawing app that lets you import photos, images, and files as references, then trace and paint over them. One of Trace’s key features is its three-layer structure: the Reference Layer, Trace Layer, and Paint Layer. You can trace outlines while viewing your reference image, then add color on the Paint Layer to complete your artwork. By separating each step into its own layer, Trace makes the drawing process simple and easy to manage. The Reference Layer supports zooming, scaling, and rotation, giving you the freedom to adjust the size and angle of your reference image to match your composition. In addition to importing images from your photo library, Trace also supports importing image files, allowing you to use a wide variety of reference materials. Key Features * Reference Layer Display a photo or image as your drawing reference. Zoom, resize, and rotate it freely to match the size and angle you want. * Trace Layer Trace outlines and shapes while viewing the reference image underneath. * Paint Layer Add color while using your traced lines as a guide to complete your artwork. * Import from Photos Use images stored in your photo library as references. * Import from Files Import image files in addition to photos, giving you more flexibility when choosing reference materials. * Flexible Reference Adjustment Freely adjust the size and angle of your reference image to suit your composition and tracing needs. * Simple and Intuitive Controls Designed to keep unnecessary complexity to a minimum so you can focus on tracing, drawing, and painting. Trace can be used for drawing practice, illustration, sketching, design studies, and many other creative purposes. “Place your reference.” “Trace the lines.” “Add color.” By separating these three steps into layers, Trace provides a smooth and intuitive workflow from tracing to painting. Turn your favorite photos and images into your own artwork with Trace.
MoNo
Transform your color photos into monochrome images with a retro, Game Boy Pocket Camera aesthetic. This application offers a unique visual style for your pictures.
- Color to monochrome conversion
- Retro Game Boy Pocket Camera style
- Image transformation
- Unique visual filters
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This app converts color images to monochrome. It transforms your photos to look like they were taken with the Game Boy Pocket Camera.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: Tracing at every 2 months against MoNo's every 25 months. Tracing also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.8). MoNo's advantage is chart position (#194 vs unranked) and ratings volume (6 vs 1). On price, review sentiment, ads and in-app purchases 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
Tracing costs $0.99 and MoNo $0.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Tracing holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: MoNo has 6 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.
Tracing ships an update every 2 months, MoNo every 25 months. The most recent releases landed on September 29, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Tracing | MoNo |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $0.99 | $0.99 |
| Rating | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better | 4.8 (6 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 1 | 6 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months — better | Every 25 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Best chart rank | — | #194 — better |
| Devices | iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 18.6 | 14.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 3 MB | 2 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Yasuo Fukushima | Kouichi INAFUKU |
Customer experience
Tracing
MoNo
In-app purchases
Tracing
No in-app purchases
MoNo
No in-app purchases
