Comparison

Atkinson vs Ditherable

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

Ditherable

Transform your photos into retro pixel art using classic computer and console color palettes. Explore various dithering techniques to achieve unique visual styles and share your vintage-inspired creations.

Highlights
  • Apply classic color palettes
  • Multiple dithering methods
  • Create custom palettes
  • Save and share creations
  • Retro image transformation
Features
Read full description

Ditherable enables you see how your image would look like with the colors of an old IBM PC, an Apple II, or even a monochrome Game Boy. Get yourself lost in trying out palettes, and learn about different kinds of dithering methods. Share your creations with friends and family. Supported dither methods are: - Floyd-Steinberg - Atkinson - Jarvis-Judice-Ninke - Bayer (Ordered dithering) - White noise (Ordered dithering) - Blue noise (Ordered dithering) - Threshold (No dithering) Built-in palettes are: - Black & White - Grayscale - Quantized Color - CGA - Apple II - Game Boy - Intellivision - Reduce colors - Light colors - Dark colors You can also make your own palettes and save them.

Screenshots

Atkinson4 screens
Ditherable4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Ditherable at 4.8 against Atkinson's 3.3. Ditherable also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 2) and ads (none vs shown). Atkinson's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months). On price, device support and iOS requirement 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. Ditherable asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Ditherable holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Ditherable has 80 ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 71% of Atkinson's written reviews are positive against 85% of Ditherable's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Atkinson ships an update every 3 weeks, Ditherable every 2 months. Both last shipped on November 3, 2026.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Atkinson versus Ditherable: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAtkinsonDitherable
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.3 (6 ratings)4.8 (80 ratings) — better
Positive reviews71.4% of reviews85.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings680 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 2 months
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better16.4
Further details — not scored
Size19 MB6 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperkoyachiEskil Gjerde Sviggum

Customer experience

Atkinson

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

Ditherable

All ratings80 ratings
Positive95.0%
Neutral3.8%
Negative1.3%
Written reviews20 reviews
Positive85.0%
Neutral10.0%
Negative5.0%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Atkinson

Subscriptions2
  • Standard Month$0.991 Month
  • Standard Year$9.991 Year
None

Ditherable

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Atkinson free?
Atkinson is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Ditherable free?
Ditherable is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Atkinson or Ditherable?
Ditherable is rated higher. Atkinson averages 3.3 out of 5 from 6 ratings, while Ditherable averages 4.8 from 80 ratings.
Do Atkinson or Ditherable have ads?
Atkinson shows ads; Ditherable does not.
Which is updated more often, Atkinson or Ditherable?
Atkinson ships an update every 3 weeks, and Ditherable every 2 months. Most recently, Atkinson was updated on November 3, 2026 and Ditherable on November 3, 2026.

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