Comparison

Atkinson vs CUBE

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

Head to head
About

Atkinson

This app processes photos using the Atkinson dithering algorithm, originally used for black and white displays on old Macintosh computers. It creates small file-sized images with options for square cropping, rounded corners, and white borders, offering a real-time preview of the effect.

Highlights
  • Atkinson dithering algorithm processing
  • Square photo output
  • Toggleable rounded corners
  • White border option
  • Real-time preview
Features
Read full description

Transform your photos with the iconic Atkinson dithering algorithm — the same technique used on the original Macintosh by Bill Atkinson. Create stunning retro-style images with a single tap. # What is Atkinson Dithering? Atkinson dithering was the algorithm behind the classic 1-bit graphics of early Macintosh computers. It converts photos i nto beautiful two-tone pixel patterns, producing images with a distinctive vintage charm and remarkably small file sizes. # Features - Real-time Atkinson dithering preview through your camera - 7 retro-tech color palettes: Terminal Green, Amber Monitor, Original Macintosh, Game Boy, Apple II Green, White Phospho r, and classic black & white - 5 iconic frames inspired by computing history: MacPaint, Classic Mac window, Terminal, White Frame, and frameless - Adjustable brightness control - Rounded corner option - Square photo output optimized for social media - Lightweight PNG output with tiny file sizes # Color Palettes Go beyond black and white. Choose from color palettes inspired by legendary displays — the green glow of VT100 terminals, the warm amber of IBM monitors, the creamy screen of the original Macintosh, and more. # Retro Frames Wrap your dithered photos in frames inspired by classic software. The MacPaint frame features pixel-perfect tool palettes and menu bars, just like Bill Atkinson's legendary paint program. The Classic Mac frame recreates the iconic window chrome of early Macintosh. # Perfect for - Retro and vintage photo enthusiasts - Pixel art lovers - Social media posts with a unique aesthetic - Anyone who appreciates the beauty of 1-bit graphics

About

CUBE

Create visually stunning videos and photos with unique, real-time effects inspired by popular movies. Apply motion trails, LiDAR-generated particles, and liquid metal transformations to your content. Easily customize and capture in Full HD.

Highlights
  • Motion Trail Effect
  • LiDAR Scanning Effect
  • Matrix Effect
  • Liquid Metal Effect
  • Real-time effect application
  • Customizable effects
  • Full HD video capture
Read full description

Motion Trail Effect: Inspired by "Cyberpunk: Edgerunners", CUBE copies the trail effect when David using the Sandevistan implant. LiDAR Scanning Effect: Sample real-time images and depth maps created by LiDAR Scanner to generate 3D particles (point clouds). Up to 3,000,000 points can be generated. Mixing the 3D particles with real-world scenes will make you feel like entering a surreal world. Matrix Effect: Inspired by Code Rain from the movie "The Matrix". This time, blue pill or red pill? Liquid Metal Effect: Take a trip back to 1991 and become the Terminator T-1000 of the movie "Terminator 2: Judgment Day" by James Cameron. CUBE is an app that combines the powerful capabilities of Metal and ARKit, allowing you to easily create fun videos and photos with real-time effects. Using CUBE, you can: - Instantly switch between effects - Apply effects to people, background or entire image - Customize effects with a range of options - Capture Full HD & High Bitrate Videos Body segmentation is only supported on iPhone XR/XS (A12) and above. LiDAR Scanning is supported on devices with LiDAR Scanner. Support for new features of iOS 16: - Enable HDR by default: HDR is enabled by default on devices running iOS 16, allowing photos and videos to have improved dynamic range. - Introduce 2K photo mode: Photos can be taken at a resolution of 2880 * 1620 for improved clarity.

Screenshots

Atkinson4 screens
CUBE4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: CUBE at 4.7 against Atkinson's 3.3. CUBE also leads on ads (none vs shown) and review sentiment (83% vs 71%). Atkinson's advantage is iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and in-app purchases 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. Atkinson sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month and CUBE sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

CUBE holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 6 and 16 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 71% of Atkinson's written reviews are positive against 83% of CUBE's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly monthly. Both last shipped on October 4, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Atkinson versus CUBE: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAtkinsonCUBE
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.3 (6 ratings)4.7 (16 ratings) — better
Positive reviews71.4% of reviews83.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings616 — better
Update frequencyMonthlyMonthly
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size19 MB15 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developerkoyachi银凯 朱

Customer experience

Atkinson

All ratings6 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral16.7%
Negative33.3%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive71.4%
Neutral0.0%
Negative28.6%

CUBE

All ratings16 ratings
Positive87.5%
Neutral12.5%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews6 reviews
Positive83.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative16.7%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Atkinson

Subscriptions2
  • Standard Month$0.991 Month
  • Standard Year$9.991 Year
3 purchases

CUBE

One-time3
  • Matrix Effect$1.99
  • LiDAR Scanning Effect$1.99
  • Liquid Metal Effect$1.99

Questions

Is Atkinson free?
Atkinson is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is CUBE free?
CUBE is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Atkinson or CUBE?
CUBE is rated higher. Atkinson averages 3.3 out of 5 from 6 ratings, while CUBE averages 4.7 from 16 ratings.
Do Atkinson or CUBE have ads?
Atkinson shows ads; CUBE does not.
Which is updated more often, Atkinson or CUBE?
Atkinson ships an update monthly, and CUBE monthly. Most recently, Atkinson was updated on October 4, 2026 and CUBE on October 4, 2026.

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