# Value Study vs Sketch Steps

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Value Study at 92% against Sketch Steps's 48%. Value Study also leads on rating (4.8 vs 4.1) and ratings volume (3.3K vs 148). Sketch Steps's advantage is chart position (#196 vs unranked). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Value Study sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per year and Sketch Steps sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $8.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Value Study holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Value Study has 3.3K ratings behind it against 148, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 92% of Value Study's written reviews are positive against 48% of Sketch Steps's.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 19, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Value Study | Sketch Steps |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (3.3K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/value-study-art-reference/id1546616127/reviews)** | [4.1 (148 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sketch-steps-ai-loomis-draw/id6763632360/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **3.3K** | 148 |
| Positive reviews | **92.0% of reviews** | 48.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | Fortnightly |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | — | **#196** |
| Size | 35 MB | 104 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.6** | 18 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Mac** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Diem Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/1439019995) | [Recep Can Akdemir](https://appshunter.io/developer/1835035936) |

## What reviewers say

### Value Study

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/value-study-art-reference/id1546616127)

This app helps artists improve their skills by analyzing light and shadow in reference images. It allows users to break down tones step-by-step, from simple black and white to more complex value ranges, aiding in the understanding of depth and form. It's a tool to enhance traditional art studies.

**Highlights:** Step-by-step tone breakdown, Highlighting areas of same value, Focus on light, shadow, and form, Greyscale value studies, Works with reference images

**Features:** Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Value Study Pro | $3.99 | per year |
| Value Study Pro (yearly) | $6.99 | per year |
| Appreciation | $2.99 | one-time |
| Value Study Pro (Lifetime) | $9.99 | one-time |
| Generous boost | $9.99 | one-time |
| Value Study | $17.99 | one-time |
| Amazing supporter | $24.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use
- 🚀 Helpful for value studies
- 💡 Allows adjusting number of values
- 🎨 Useful for artists and painters
- ⭐ Great tool for beginners

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Issues with accurately representing blue hues
- 🔍 Difficulty finding/importing photos
- 🤔 Unclear instructions/lack of tutorial

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes or fails to launch on some devices
- Occasional issues with image processing

**Requested features**

- Add ability to adjust value midpoint
- Include color study/color adjustment options
- Provide side-by-side comparison of original and simplified images
- Add customizable grid overlay


### Sketch Steps

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sketch-steps-ai-loomis-draw/id6763632360)

**Currently charting:** #196 Top Free · Graphics & Design (US App Store)

This app offers two AI-powered drawing tools to help users learn and practice. Generate step-by-step guides for portraits or trace photos and templates with customizable references. Build a consistent drawing habit with guided learning.

**Highlights:** Generate 8-step AI Loomis portrait breakdowns, Practice facial structure with guided steps, Trace photos and custom references, Explore ready-to-trace templates, Create AI-styled tracing references, Save references and tutorials, Build a consistent drawing habit

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| SketchFlow Pro Weekly | $8.99 | per 7 days |
| SketchFlow Pro Monthly | $19.99 | per month |
| Sketch Steps Pro Yearly | $79.99 | per year |
| 10 Credits | $3.99 | one-time |
| 25 Credits | $8.99 | one-time |
| 60 Credits | $19.99 | one-time |
| 150 Credits | $39.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Value Study free?

Value Study is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Sketch Steps free?

Sketch Steps is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Value Study or Sketch Steps?

Value Study is rated higher. Value Study averages 4.8 out of 5 from 3.3K ratings, while Sketch Steps averages 4.1 from 148 ratings.

### Do Value Study or Sketch Steps have ads?

Neither Value Study nor Sketch Steps shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Value Study or Sketch Steps?

Value Study ships an update fortnightly, and Sketch Steps fortnightly. Most recently, Value Study was updated on October 20, 2026 and Sketch Steps on October 19, 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.*