Comparison

FocalPaint vs Storybook Magic

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

Head to head
About

FocalPaint

This app offers a unique brush engine for realistic paint simulation, pigment mixing, and canvas textures. It allows for custom brush and layer creation using Metal GPU or Javascript code, with advanced features like spectral color models and Apple Pencil Pro support.

Highlights
  • Realistic paint and pigment mixing
  • Custom brush and layer creation
  • Transparent ink simulation
  • Apple Pencil Pro support
  • Spectral color model
  • Open source shader code library
Features
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FocalPaint's unique brush engine simulates thick paint and real pigment mixing with accurate physics models. Features: - Realistic color blending behaves like real paint! - Real canvas texture and paint thickness - Transparent Ink simulation - Open Source GPU shader code library for reference and customization - Write your own custom brush with Metal GPU or Javascript code - Write your own custom layer modes with Metal GPU code - Apple Pencil Pro support with hover - 16 channel "spectral" color model (256 bits per pixel) - Wide color gamut (P3) Please note: Apple A12 GPU or newer is required Terms of Use: https://www.focalpaint.com/p/terms-of-use.html Privacy Policy: https://www.focalpaint.com/p/privacy.html Special Thanks to: Scott Allen Burns Troy James Sobotka & Friends colour-science.org python library MyPaint painting software team Anna Timm (@anti-art)

About

Storybook Magic

Create enchanting animated stories with customizable characters, settings, and tones. Share your tales and bring them to life with motion-based spellcasting and interactive book covers. Designed for young creators to build imagination and storytelling skills.

Highlights
  • Customizable heroes, settings, and story tones
  • Animated and interactive book covers
  • Motion-based spellcasting for interactive play
  • Save and share created stories
  • Safe environment for young creators
Features
Read full description

Become the wizard of your own story! Step into Storybook Magic, the ultimate storytelling app where kids and dreamers of all ages create enchanting tales with just a wave of their hand. Personalize every adventure, craft dazzling animated books, and explore a world of imagination—right from your device. Magical Features: Craft Your Own Adventures Mix & match fantasy heroes (like a Goblin Trickster or Phoenix Sorcerer), settings (from Whispering Isles to Starlit Ruins), and magical story tones—sparkling humor, chilling mystery, or glowing wonder. Save & Share Your Stories Name your wizard persona, select your story length, and store your creations in a glowing digital spellbook. Revisit, reread, or share with fellow storytellers anytime. Animated Book Covers Each tale unlocks a shimmering, interactive book cover—watch it come to life with tilt-based animations that reflect your story’s magic. Motion-Based Wand Play Wave your device to "cast spells" and reveal new characters, locations, or twists. It’s interactive storytelling like you’ve never seen. Cast Your Feedback Connect with the Storybook Wizards directly to request features, get help, or share your experience with a quick tap. Why Kids & Families Love Storybook Magic: Completely free—no subscriptions or hidden fees Safe and designed for young creators Builds imagination, creativity, and storytelling skills Perfect for bedtime stories or daytime adventures Crafted with care by the Storybook Wizards Download today and unlock your storytelling powers! Privacy Policy: https://cognitoware.dev/storybook_magic/privacy-policy Terms of Use: https://cognitoware.dev/storybook_magic/terms-of-service

Screenshots

FocalPaint1 screens
Storybook Magic4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Storybook Magic at Free against FocalPaint's $4.99. Storybook Magic also leads on update cadence (every 4 days vs monthly). FocalPaint's advantage is rating (4.2 vs 1.0) and in-app purchases (none vs 2). On 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

Storybook Magic is free to download; FocalPaint costs $4.99 up front. Storybook Magic sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. FocalPaint asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

FocalPaint holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 1.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: FocalPaint has 13 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

FocalPaint ships an update monthly, Storybook Magic every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on November 7, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
FocalPaint versus Storybook Magic: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFocalPaintStorybook Magic
Price$4.99Free — better
Rating4.2 (13 ratings) — better1.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews78.6% of reviews—
Number of ratings13 — better1
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFreemium — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18.617.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size557 MB58 MB
Age rating+44+
Developerbrien dieterleLuis Salcedo

In-app purchases

None

FocalPaint

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Storybook Magic

Subscriptions2
  • Unlimited Access3 Days trial$4.997 Days
  • Unlimited Access$17.991 Month

Questions

Is FocalPaint free?
FocalPaint costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Storybook Magic free?
Storybook Magic is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, FocalPaint or Storybook Magic?
FocalPaint is rated higher. FocalPaint averages 4.2 out of 5 from 13 ratings, while Storybook Magic averages 1.0 from 1 ratings.
Do FocalPaint or Storybook Magic have ads?
Neither FocalPaint nor Storybook Magic shows ads.
Which is updated more often, FocalPaint or Storybook Magic?
FocalPaint ships an update monthly, and Storybook Magic every 4 days. Most recently, FocalPaint was updated on November 7, 2026 and Storybook Magic on October 30, 2026.

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