# ArtRef vs RefCanvas

The clearest difference is rating: ArtRef at 5.0 against RefCanvas's 2.3. ArtRef also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 3) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 17 months). RefCanvas's advantage is ratings volume (7 vs 2). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. RefCanvas sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. ArtRef asks for nothing beyond the download.

ArtRef holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 2.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 7 respectively.

ArtRef ships an update every 3 weeks, RefCanvas every 17 months. Both last shipped on November 3, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | ArtRef | RefCanvas |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/artref/id1548835369/reviews)** | [2.3 (7 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/refcanvas/id6447381089/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 2 | **7** |
| Positive reviews | — | 42.9% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Every 17 months |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 67 MB | 131 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Wisterdy Alcida](https://appshunter.io/developer/1548835371) | [youcef boukit](https://appshunter.io/developer/1681171051) |

## What reviewers say

### ArtRef

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/artref/id1548835369)

This app helps artists and creatives find and organize high-quality images from popular stock photo sites. It also offers timed sketching challenges to improve art skills using saved images.

**Highlights:** Image search from multiple stock sites, Create and organize image collections, Timed sketching challenges, Improve art skills, Offline access to saved images

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### RefCanvas

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/refcanvas/id6447381089)

This app helps artists and designers organize visual references for their projects. Import images and GIFs, arrange them on a canvas, add notes, and export your creations.

**Highlights:** Import images and GIFs, Add text notes, Move, scale, and rotate references, Group references with nodes, Supports split screen and pop-up view, Export boards as SVG or images

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

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pro version | $2.99 | one-time |
| Pro version | $3.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is ArtRef free?

ArtRef is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is RefCanvas free?

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

### Which has better reviews, ArtRef or RefCanvas?

ArtRef is rated higher. ArtRef averages 5.0 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while RefCanvas averages 2.3 from 7 ratings.

### Do ArtRef or RefCanvas have ads?

Neither ArtRef nor RefCanvas shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, ArtRef or RefCanvas?

ArtRef ships an update every 3 weeks, and RefCanvas every 17 months. Most recently, ArtRef was updated on November 3, 2026 and RefCanvas on November 3, 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.*