Head Model Studio vs PicRef
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Head Model Studio
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.
- 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
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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/
PicRef
This app allows users to view and manipulate reference images with no loss of quality. It offers tools for cropping, resizing, and batch editing, with an optional drawing feature for iPad users. The interface is designed for efficiency, supporting split-screen use with other graphics software.
- No loss of image quality
- Image dragging, cropping, resizing
- Batch editing (drag, delete, mirror, sort)
- Desaturate and mirror images
- Free rotation at any angle
- Split screen support
- Handwriting notes (iPad only)
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- No loss of image quality Optimize the graphic algorithm to view more images at the same time without missing any high-definition details. - Mark (iPad only) Write down your ideas by hand in any location. - Basic function Support image dragging, cropping, resizing and focus on single picture, one-click mediation. - Marquee Batch drag, delete, mirror, desaturate and sort. - Compact layout - Desaturate Quickly desaturate the selected images. - Rotation Supports free rotation at any angle. - Mirror Quickly mirror the selected images. - Split screen Can be used with other graphics software split screen.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Head Model Studio at Free against PicRef's $0.99. Head Model Studio also leads on ratings volume (2.4K vs 26). PicRef's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4) and update cadence (weekly vs monthly). On rating, review sentiment, ads and device support 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
Head Model Studio is free to download; PicRef costs $0.99 up front. Head Model Studio sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $9.00 per month. PicRef asks for nothing beyond the download.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for Head Model Studio against 4.7 for PicRef. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Head Model Studio has 2.4K ratings behind it against 26, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 77% of Head Model Studio's written reviews are positive against 84% of PicRef's.
Head Model Studio ships an update monthly, PicRef weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Head Model Studio | PicRef |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $0.99 |
| Rating | 4.6 (2.4K ratings) | 4.7 (26 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 76.7% of reviews | 84.4% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 2.4K — better | 26 |
| Update frequency | Monthly | Weekly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases — better | Paid |
| Best chart rank | — | #116 — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 16.4 | 14.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 2.2 GB | 24 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Wes Castain | 祥 汤 |
Customer experience
Head Model Studio
PicRef
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
PicRef
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
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
PicRef
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Head Model Studio free?
Is PicRef free?
Which has better reviews, Head Model Studio or PicRef?
Do Head Model Studio or PicRef have ads?
Which is updated more often, Head Model Studio or PicRef?
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