Comparison

Head Model Studio vs SceneRef

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read full description

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/

About

SceneRef

Features
Read full description

SceneRef works with iPad Split View and multiple windows as the ideal companion for Procreate, Clip Studio Paint, and other drawing and animation apps—freeing your reference images from stacked layers, organizing them clearly on an infinite canvas, and keeping inspiration and efficiency within reach wherever you create. HIGHLIGHTS - Perfect companion: Work side by side with Procreate, Clip Studio Paint, and other creative apps using iPad Split View and multiple windows - Infinite canvas: Smart caching and image management keep vast libraries saved and scrolling smoothly - Multi-select batch tools: One-tap auto-fit, smart layout, and unified sizing make copying and aligning effortless - Professional workflow: Full keyboard shortcut mapping for faster everyday actions - Flexible import: Clipboard, Photos, folders, camera, and drag-and-drop—grab what you need, when you need it - Web drag-and-drop: Drag images in directly from Pinterest, Pixiv, and other popular image sites - Flexible export: Export scenes or image groups for easy sharing and delivery - View / Lock / Edit modes so browsing and editing never get in each other's way - Grid and list views for file management, with multiple sort options - Smooth zoom and pan to inspect every detail - A clean, intuitive interface so you can stay focused on creating Professional Reference Tools - Rotate, crop, desaturate, flip vertical/horizontal, opacity, layering, and scale—a complete set of adjustments - Live color picker: Sample any color on the canvas in real time and get common color codes - Magnetic guides: Alignment hints and smart snapping for more precise layouts - After multi-select, quickly align and distribute from the top-right corner for faster batch organization - Brush annotations and highlight circles to communicate more clearly - Styled text: A rich set of fonts and styles for notes, titles, and labels Video & GIF - Play MP4 and extract 4K stills for storyboards, covers, and video references - One-tap GIF frame-by-frame breakdown so animation details are crystal clear Thanks for reading. Contact us: Email: scenereftech@163.com

Screenshots

Head Model Studio4 screens
SceneRef3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: SceneRef at none against Head Model Studio's 4. SceneRef also leads on update cadence (every 3 days vs monthly). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Head Model Studio sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $9.00 per month. SceneRef asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Head Model Studio ships an update monthly, SceneRef every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on November 13, 2026 and November 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Head Model Studio versus SceneRef: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHead Model StudioSceneRef
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (2.5K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews76.4% of reviews—
Number of ratings2.5K — better—
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 3 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.415.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size2.2 GB68 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperWes Castain文荣 李

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

SceneRef

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

4 purchases

Head Model Studio

Subscriptions2
  • 1 Month Access$9.001 Month
  • 1 Year Access$16.001 Year
One-time2
  • 1 Year Access$23.00
  • Lifetime Access$50.00
None

SceneRef

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Head Model Studio free?
Head Model Studio is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is SceneRef free?
SceneRef is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Head Model Studio or SceneRef have ads?
Neither Head Model Studio nor SceneRef shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Head Model Studio or SceneRef?
Head Model Studio ships an update monthly, and SceneRef every 3 days. Most recently, Head Model Studio was updated on November 13, 2026 and SceneRef on November 6, 2026.

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