Head Model Studio vs JustSketchMe
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Head Model Studio
Master portrait drawing with detailed 3D head models. Study facial planes and geometry with customizable lighting and rendering options. Perfect for artists looking to elevate their sketching skills.
- Detailed 3D head models
- Plane and geometry study
- Customizable lighting (environmental & studio)
- Adjustable rendering (edge outline, shininess)
- Pre-made practice scenes
- Zoom, tilt, and rotate controls
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Draw better portraits with Head Model Studio. Study faces in detail from simple planes to complex geometry. It is the best iOS / iPadOS application to learn and study faces in detail. Take your sketches to the next level. INSPIRED BY FAMOUS TECHNIQUES Inspired by master methodologies, Head Model Studio comes with 25 different models, including 2 free. From simple to more detailed models, progress easily by understanding the planes of the face. Expand your practice with 5 classical models. COMPLETE CONTROL You have complete control over the 3D models. Zoom, tilt, and rotate to study each part of the model at will. ENVIRONMENTAL & STUDIO LIGHTING Realistic environmental lighting based on HDR photos, recreate a sunrise, midday, or sunset illumination. Switch to Studio Lighting to create amazing lighting composition with multiple spotlights and different colors. Change the lighting to be at any angle or intensity. Perfect to study the planes of the head and understand tones. CUSTOMISABLE RENDERING The edge outline highlights the planes for easier practice. Turn it off once comfortable and practice in a more realistic setting. Modify the shininess for a different material rendering. PRE-MADE PRACTICE Want to learn to draw but unsure where or how to start? We’ve created a bunch of scenes to get you started. PRICING Head Model Studio offers a couple of free models. A premium access is required to access the rest of the models. Lifetime and Yearly (non-recurring) options are available. WE LOVE FEEDBACK I love coding and drawing, feel free to reach out, and tell me what feature you'd love to see in the app. Terms & Conditions: https://headmodelstudio.com/terms-conditions/
JustSketchMe
This app provides artists with tools to quickly create reference scenes for their artwork. It offers a variety of character models, props, and posing options to bring creative ideas to life.
- Posable character models
- Intricate hand posing
- Extreme perspective settings
- Dynamic lighting
- Hundreds of props
- Pose library
- Cloud saving
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Simple enough for the aspiring artist; powerful enough for the veteran illustrator. JustSketchMe helps artists take their idea from concept to creation fast. Spend less time planning, and more time focusing on what matters most: making great art. With simple yet powerful tools; JustSketchMe helps you create any scene as a reference piece for your next artwork. Your imagination is the limit. Highlights: - Dozens of posable character models - Intricate hand posing - Set extreme perspectives - Dynamic lighting - Hundreds of props - A full pose library - Saving your work in the cloud “JustSketchMe combines a wealth of features with an interface that won't keep you hunting through menus—crucial when you're trying to stay in the creative groove.” - PC Mag “This pose reference tool is a gamechanger” - IGN Southeast Asia The subscription to JustSketchMe Pro gives you access to more powerful tools, props, and characters. Updated with new content regularly. Report a bug: https://justsketch.me/bugs Request a feature: https://justsketchme.nolt.io Terms of service: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Head Model Studio at 4.6 against JustSketchMe's 3.6. Head Model Studio also leads on review sentiment (76% vs 53%) and ratings volume (2.5K vs 170). JustSketchMe's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs monthly) and iOS requirement (14.0 vs 16.4). 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
Both are free to download. Head Model Studio sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $9.00 per month and JustSketchMe sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $11.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Head Model Studio holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Head Model Studio has 2.5K ratings behind it against 170, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 76% of Head Model Studio's written reviews are positive against 53% of JustSketchMe's.
Head Model Studio ships an update monthly, JustSketchMe fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and October 29, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Head Model Studio | JustSketchMe |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.6 (2.5K ratings) — better | 3.6 (170 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 76.4% of reviews — better | 52.8% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 2.5K — better | 170 |
| Update frequency | Monthly | Fortnightly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Freemium | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 16.4 | 14.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 2.2 GB | 114 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Wes Castain | JustSketchMe (Pty) Ltd |
Customer experience
Head Model Studio
JustSketchMe
User reviews
Head Model Studio
From 2.5K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🎨 Excellent reference tool for artists
- 🔍 Helpful for understanding head anatomy and planes
- 🔧 Customizable lighting and model features
- 💰 Reasonable subscription pricing
Room to improve
- 💰 Premium features locked behind paywall
- 🔒 Lack of free trial to test premium content
- 🔧 Limited customization options for free users
- 🐛 Occasional technical issues with lighting and model adjustments
JustSketchMe
From 170 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 👍 Intuitive and easy-to-use interface
- 🎨 Excellent tool for pose references and anatomy practice
- 🖐️ Free individual finger/joint movement control
- 💪 Helpful for artists struggling with poses and full-body drawings
- ⚡ Smooth performance and sleek UI design
Room to improve
- 💰 Extremely expensive pricing ($100-$200 one-time, $12-18/month subscription)
- 🔒 Most useful features locked behind paywall
- 💾 Cannot save poses without premium subscription
- 🐛 Frequent app crashes and session resets
- ⏸️ Significant lag when moving body parts
Bugs and requests
Head Model Studio
Reported bugs
2 issues- Sudden loss of model functionality after updates
- Overheating issues on some devices
Requested features
4 requests- Add female Loomis head models
- Expand customization options for paid users
- Implement full-body reference models
- Provide option for one-time lifetime purchase
JustSketchMe
Reported bugs
15 issues- Blue highlight screen glitch when manipulating joints (makes app unusable until restart)
- App crashes and resets work progress unexpectedly
- Frequent freezing for 5+ seconds when moving body parts
- License key not working on app despite working on website
- Subscription purchases not granting access to premium features
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- Restore purchases not functioning properly
- License key error claiming too many users despite minimal usage
- Female model appears by default and cannot be removed
- Limbs stretch and distort when resized and bent
- Thumbs have incorrect joint count (three instead of proper anatomy)
- Hand cannot reach face when bent due to proportions
- App requires website access, incompatible with parental restrictions
- Scene erases after 15-20 minutes of use
- Upgrade button not responding when clicked
- Subscription not syncing between web and app versions
Requested features
18 requests- Lower pricing or tiered payment options ($3-25 range)
- Free trial period before purchase commitment
- Auto-save and pre-save functionality
- Ability to save at least one pose for free
- Pre-made pose library in free version
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- Body morphing and customization (bust size, muscle definition, weight)
- Realistic hairstyle options
- Non-binary gender model options
- Male and female character variants for special models
- XYZ movement controls as optional alternative to rotation-only
- Adjustable joint button sizes to reduce UI clutter
- Confirmation prompt for clear stage button
- Free basic props and weapons
- Image import/upload feature in app
- Better limb resizing without stretching distortion
- Anatomically correct proportions
- More diverse character models and environments
- Ability to purchase specific features instead of full bundles
In-app purchases
Head Model Studio
- 1 Month Access$9.001 Month
- 1 Year Access$16.001 Year
- 1 Year Access$23.00
- Lifetime Access$50.00
JustSketchMe
- Monthly Subscription$11.991 Month
- 3 Month Subscription$28.993 Months
- 6 Month Subscription$48.996 Months
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- Yearly Subscription$71.991 Year
- Lifetime Access$99.99
Questions
Is Head Model Studio free?
Is JustSketchMe free?
Which has better reviews, Head Model Studio or JustSketchMe?
Do Head Model Studio or JustSketchMe have ads?
Which is updated more often, Head Model Studio or JustSketchMe?
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