# Head Model Studio vs Cranio Head Study

The clearest difference is update cadence: Cranio Head Study at every 9 days against Head Model Studio's monthly. Head Model Studio's advantage is iOS requirement (16.4 vs 18.2). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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 Cranio Head Study sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Head Model Studio ships an update monthly, Cranio Head Study every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on September 29, 2026 and September 27, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Head Model Studio | Cranio Head Study |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.6 (2.4K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/head-model-studio-art-study/id1527028690/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **2.4K** | — |
| Positive reviews | 76.4% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Monthly | **Every 9 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 2.2 GB | 159 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.4** | 18.2 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Wes Castain](https://appshunter.io/developer/1527028692) | [Avinash Kumawat](https://appshunter.io/developer/1552057072) |

## 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


### Cranio Head Study

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cranio-head-study/id6775111632)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pro Annual | $2.99 | per year |
| Pro Monthly | $2.99 | per month |
| Pro · Monthly | $4.99 | per month |
| Pro · Annual | $29.99 | per year |
| Pro · Lifetime | $9.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Head Model Studio free?

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

### Is Cranio Head Study free?

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

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

Neither Head Model Studio nor Cranio Head Study shows ads.

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

Head Model Studio ships an update monthly, and Cranio Head Study every 9 days. Most recently, Head Model Studio was updated on September 29, 2026 and Cranio Head Study on September 27, 2026.

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