Comparison

Light Strokes vs Abstractor

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

Abstractor

This drawing app uses generative magic and dynamic flow brushes to create unique, animated artwork. Explore infinite possibilities with brushes that respond to your gestures, imported images, and algorithmic patterns.

Highlights
  • Generative flow brushes
  • Image-driven velocity maps
  • Algorithmic particle behavior
  • Color shifting based on stroke
  • Layer support
  • Color source layers
Features
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ABSTRACTOR: PAINT WITH GENERATIVE MAGIC Unleash your vision with Abstractor, a poetic drawing app for iPad and iPhone, crafted for artist explorers and playful creators. Paint with infinite possibilities, where every stroke pulses with generative magic. FLOW BRUSHES: THE HEART OF CREATION Dive into the soul of Abstractor with flow brushes, where particles swirl like living liquids, leaving hypnotic trails across your canvas. These dynamic tools respond to three unique velocity maps: • Stroke Paths: Your gestures carve flowing rivers, guiding particles along vibrant trails. • Image-Driven Flow: Import an image to shape a velocity field, infusing brushes with textured, directional energy. • Algorithmic Soul: Add generated noise or patterns to give particles a distinct character—turbulent storms or gentle ripples. Tune particle behaviors in real time, sculpting their essence like a visual composer. Blend these maps to create mesmerizing, emergent patterns that surprise and inspire, making every stroke a performance. Colors shift with stroke angle, pressure, or speed, weaving emotion into every line. Use familiar layers or bind tools to them for tailored magic. Paint over a color source layer, pulling hues from imported images to craft radiant distortions—flow brushes shine here, warping visuals into dreamlike abstractions. Abstractor is your canvas for boundless wonder. Download now and let your art flow eternal.

Screenshots

Abstractor4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Abstractor at every 5 days against Light Strokes's every 10 months. Light Strokes's advantage is iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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 and Abstractor sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Light Strokes ships an update every 10 months, Abstractor every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and October 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Light Strokes versus Abstractor: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLight StrokesAbstractor
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (5 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—71.4% of reviews
Number of ratings—5 — better
Update frequencyEvery 10 monthsEvery 5 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
Monetization—Free with in-app purchases
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS15.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size4 MB4 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRichard Greenesuperdiagonal

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Light Strokes

One-time2
  • 14-Day Trial of All FeaturesFree
  • Unlock All Features$4.99
3 purchases

Abstractor

Subscriptions2
  • All Access · 1 Month$0.991 Month
  • Premium · 1 Year14 Days trial$9.991 Year
One-time1
  • All-Access$9.99

Questions

Is Light Strokes free?
Light Strokes is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Abstractor free?
Abstractor is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Light Strokes or Abstractor have ads?
Neither Light Strokes nor Abstractor shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Light Strokes or Abstractor?
Light Strokes ships an update every 10 months, and Abstractor every 5 days. Most recently, Light Strokes was updated on October 7, 2026 and Abstractor on October 20, 2026.

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