# Head Model Studio vs SceneRef

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.

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | Head Model Studio | SceneRef |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.6 (2.5K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/head-model-studio-art-study/id1527028690/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **2.5K** | — |
| Positive reviews | 76.4% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Monthly | **Every 3 days** |
| Monetization | Freemium | — |
| Size | 2.2 GB | 68 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.4 | **15.6** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Wes Castain](https://appshunter.io/developer/1527028692) | [文荣 李](https://appshunter.io/developer/1797720895) |

## What reviewers say

### Head Model Studio

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

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:** 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


### SceneRef

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sceneref/id6810117781)

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

**In-app purchases:** none


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