# Head Model Studio vs Value Study

The clearest difference is update cadence: Value Study at weekly against Head Model Studio's monthly. Value Study also leads on review sentiment (92% vs 77%) and rating (4.8 vs 4.6). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Head Model Studio sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $9.00 per month and Value Study sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Value Study holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2.4K and 3.3K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 77% of Head Model Studio's written reviews are positive against 92% of Value Study's.

Head Model Studio ships an update monthly, Value Study weekly. Both last shipped on September 23, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Head Model Studio | Value Study |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.6 (2.4K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/head-model-studio-art-study/id1527028690/reviews) | **[4.8 (3.3K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/value-study-art-reference/id1546616127/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 2.4K | **3.3K** |
| Positive reviews | 76.7% of reviews | **91.9% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Monthly | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 2.2 GB | 33 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.4** | 16.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, Mac** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Wes Castain](https://appshunter.io/developer/1527028692) | [Diem Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/1439019995) |

## What reviewers say

### Head Model Studio

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/head-model-studio-art-study/id1527028690)

This app provides 3D reference models for artists to study and draw faces. It offers detailed control over lighting and rendering to help users understand facial planes and tones, aiding in portrait drawing practice.

**Highlights:** 25 detailed 3D head models, Full 3D model control (zoom, tilt, rotate), Realistic environmental and studio lighting, Customizable rendering with edge outlines, Pre-made practice scenes, Study facial planes and geometry

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 1 Month Access | $9.00 | per month |
| 1 Year Access | $16.00 | per year |
| 1 Year Access | $23.00 | one-time |
| Lifetime Access | $50.00 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🎨 Excellent reference tool for artists
- 🔍 Helpful for understanding head anatomy and planes
- 🔧 Customizable lighting and model features
- 💰 Reasonable subscription pricing

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 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

**Reported bugs**

- Sudden loss of model functionality after updates
- Overheating issues on some devices

**Requested features**

- Add female Loomis head models
- Expand customization options for paid users
- Implement full-body reference models
- Provide option for one-time lifetime purchase


### Value Study

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/value-study-art-reference/id1546616127)

This app helps artists improve their skills by analyzing light and shadow in reference images. It allows users to break down tones step-by-step, from simple black and white to more complex value ranges, aiding in the understanding of depth and form. It's a tool to enhance traditional art studies.

**Highlights:** Step-by-step tone breakdown, Highlighting areas of same value, Focus on light, shadow, and form, Greyscale value studies, Works with reference images

**Features:** Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Value Study Pro | $3.99 | per year |
| Appreciation | $2.99 | one-time |
| Value Study Pro (Lifetime) | $9.99 | one-time |
| Generous boost | $9.99 | one-time |
| Amazing supporter | $24.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use
- 🚀 Helpful for value studies
- 💡 Allows adjusting number of values
- 🎨 Useful for artists and painters
- ⭐ Great tool for beginners

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Issues with accurately representing blue hues
- 🔍 Difficulty finding/importing photos
- 🤔 Unclear instructions/lack of tutorial

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes or fails to launch on some devices
- Occasional issues with image processing

**Requested features**

- Add ability to adjust value midpoint
- Include color study/color adjustment options
- Provide side-by-side comparison of original and simplified images
- Add customizable grid overlay


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Head Model Studio free?

Head Model Studio is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Value Study free?

Value Study is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Head Model Studio or Value Study?

Value Study is rated higher. Head Model Studio averages 4.6 out of 5 from 2.4K ratings, while Value Study averages 4.8 from 3.3K ratings.

### Do Head Model Studio or Value Study have ads?

Neither Head Model Studio nor Value Study shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Head Model Studio or Value Study?

Head Model Studio ships an update monthly, and Value Study weekly. Most recently, Head Model Studio was updated on September 23, 2026 and Value Study on September 23, 2026.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*