Comparison

Light Strokes vs Generative CircleLines

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

Head to head
About

Light Strokes

Features
Read full description

This is the only app that lets you paint with whatever your iPad’s video camera sees. Create artwork instantly by aiming it at people, pets, flowers dancing in the wind, whatever. With Light Strokes, the world is your paintbrush! FEATURES & BENEFITS: • Adjust the camera settings (exposure, zoom, etc.) to paint with just what you want • Choose colors and set transparency, so that paint builds up at the speed you’d like • Blend colors along your “brush”, or use its edges to add texture, or do both at once • Turn on dissolve, so that you can keep on painting without ever filling the screen • Turn on mirroring to give symmetry to everything you paint • Swipe right to pause painting while you line up your next shot • Save your pictures or share them directly from the app EXTRA FEATURES available with in-app purchase or free trial: • Save combinations of colors and effects for quick and easy retrieval later • Automatically make small random color adjustments, to add variety • Import photos or other images to paint on • Undo painted strokes made in error, or redo them DEMO: • See a demonstration of the app (with and without special hardware for more natural painting) at https://youtu.be/S-s2kmsSa9w SUPPORT: • See the user guide at https://lightstrokes.com/Light Strokes for iPad User Guide v3.pdf • Send email to help@lightstrokes.com

About

Generative CircleLines

Experience an art project that generates unique visual patterns through simple circular motions and straight lines. This application offers a contemplative viewing experience, allowing users to find inspiration or simply pass the time.

Highlights
  • Algorithmic shape generation
  • Circular motion patterns
  • Straight line integration
  • Contemplative visual experience
  • Art project focus
Features
Read full description

This is an ART project. This is just a view, it's not a solution to anything. However, you may find something in the shapes that are created. The shapes are generated by simple circular motions and straight lines. Complex things may actually be broken down into simple things. Just by watching the shapes being created, you may think of something. Or, time will pass without thinking about anything. Not everything in the world has to be for something. Just look for something that satisfies you. This is an application to just watch the shapes being created.

Screenshots

Generative CircleLines3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Generative CircleLines at none against Light Strokes's 2. Generative CircleLines also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 10 months) and device support (3 vs 1). On price and ads 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. Light Strokes sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Generative CircleLines asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Light Strokes ships an update every 10 months, Generative CircleLines every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and September 17, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Light Strokes versus Generative CircleLines: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLight StrokesGenerative CircleLines
PriceFreeFree
Rating—4.6 (5 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—66.7% of reviews
Number of ratings—5 — better
Update frequencyEvery 10 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
Monetization—Free
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS15.011.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size4 MB24 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRichard GreeneNaohiro Tateishi

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Light Strokes

One-time2
  • 14-Day Trial of All FeaturesFree
  • Unlock All Features$4.99
None

Generative CircleLines

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Light Strokes free?
Light Strokes is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Generative CircleLines free?
Generative CircleLines is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Light Strokes or Generative CircleLines have ads?
Neither Light Strokes nor Generative CircleLines shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Light Strokes or Generative CircleLines?
Light Strokes ships an update every 10 months, and Generative CircleLines every 2 weeks. Most recently, Light Strokes was updated on October 7, 2026 and Generative CircleLines on September 17, 2026.

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