# Calligraphy vs DrawBuddy

The clearest difference is rating: DrawBuddy at 4.4 against Calligraphy's 2.9. DrawBuddy also leads on ratings volume (479 vs 24). Calligraphy's advantage is monetization model (freemium vs subscription) and review sentiment (33% vs 19%). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Calligraphy sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per 7 days and DrawBuddy sells 11 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

DrawBuddy holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 2.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: DrawBuddy has 479 ratings behind it against 24, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 33% of Calligraphy's written reviews are positive against 19% of DrawBuddy's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Calligraphy ships an update every 5 weeks, DrawBuddy every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 3, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Calligraphy | DrawBuddy |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.9 (24 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/calligraphy-cursive-writing/id1564585371/reviews) | **[4.4 (479 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/drawbuddy-how-to-draw/id6445878162/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 24 | **479** |
| Positive reviews | **33.3% of reviews** | 19.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Freemium** | Subscription |
| Size | 47 MB | 42 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 17.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Vladislava Rudetskaia](https://appshunter.io/developer/1526739266) | [Bohdan Hlushko](https://appshunter.io/developer/1622883946) |

## What reviewers say

### Calligraphy

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/calligraphy-cursive-writing/id1564585371)

Learn the art of elegant script with a comprehensive course on calligraphy and cursive handwriting. Develop fine motor skills and master letter formation through theoretical and practical lessons. Unlock your artistic potential in writing.

**Highlights:** Theoretical and hands-on lessons, Develop writing muscle control, Master letter shapes, Practice on a digital pad, Printable exercises and guidelines, Full course access with subscription

**Features:** Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Full Access Weekly Sale | $0.99 | per 7 days |
| Full Access Weekly | $1.99 | per 7 days |
| Full Access | $3.99 | per month |
| Full Access Monthly Family | $7.99 | per month |


### DrawBuddy

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/drawbuddy-how-to-draw/id6445878162)

Learn to draw with step-by-step tutorials and guides designed for artists of all levels. Enhance your digital art skills using Apple Pencil with a variety of drawing categories. Practice on the go with quick draw options and create masterpieces.

**Highlights:** Step-by-step drawing tutorials, Digital art creation, Apple Pencil support, Quick draw practice, Multiple drawing categories, Skill enhancement for beginners and professionals

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

**In-app purchases (11)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly subscription | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly subscription | $7.99 | per month |
| Weekly subscription | $9.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly subscription | $12.99 | per month |
| Three month subscription | $19.99 | per 3 months |
| Monthly subscription | $19.99 | per month |
| Annual subscription | $39.99 | per year |
| Annual subscription | $39.99 | per year |
| Annual subscription | $69.99 | per year |
| Annual subscription | $69.99 | per year |
| Unlimited Access | $79.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Amazing drawings
- 👍 Good app for drawing
- 👍 Great app potential

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Requires payment for basic features
- 💰 Free trial issues
- 💰 Unexpected charges
- 💰 App not free
- 💰 Expensive subscription

**Reported bugs**

- Video not playing during free trial
- Payment pop-ups prevent drawing
- Charged full month instead of trial

**Requested features**

- More drawing options
- More pictures/drawings
- Make the app free
- Add pencil tool back


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Calligraphy free?

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

### Is DrawBuddy free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Calligraphy or DrawBuddy?

DrawBuddy is rated higher. Calligraphy averages 2.9 out of 5 from 24 ratings, while DrawBuddy averages 4.4 from 479 ratings.

### Do Calligraphy or DrawBuddy have ads?

Neither Calligraphy nor DrawBuddy shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Calligraphy or DrawBuddy?

Calligraphy ships an update every 5 weeks, and DrawBuddy every 3 weeks. Most recently, Calligraphy was updated on October 3, 2026 and DrawBuddy on October 7, 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.*