# PixelPencil vs DotMaker Studio

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: DotMaker Studio at none against PixelPencil's 1. DotMaker Studio also leads on ads (none vs shown) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). PixelPencil's advantage is update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 3 months). On price and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. PixelPencil sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. DotMaker Studio asks for nothing beyond the download.

PixelPencil ships an update every 2 weeks, DotMaker Studio every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | PixelPencil | DotMaker Studio |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.6 (110 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pixelpencil-pixel-art-editor/id1584616836/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **110** | — |
| Positive reviews | 78.6% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 weeks** | Every 3 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 6 MB | 21 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **13.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Yosuke Seki](https://appshunter.io/developer/824851972) | [YOUNGSIK KIM](https://appshunter.io/developer/1874148336) |

## What reviewers say

### PixelPencil

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pixelpencil-pixel-art-editor/id1584616836)

Create pixel art with a robust set of tools, including layers, blend modes, and various brushes. Easily zoom, rotate, and manage multiple projects. Export your creations as animated GIFs.

**Highlights:** Layer editing with grouping and blend modes, Comprehensive set of drawing tools, Undo/Redo functionality, Animated GIF export, Color creation tools, Pinch-to-zoom and canvas rotation, Save multiple works with iCloud support

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Remove ads | $4.99 | one-time |


### DotMaker Studio

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dotmaker-studio/id6764566117)

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is PixelPencil free?

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

### Is DotMaker Studio free?

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

### Do PixelPencil or DotMaker Studio have ads?

PixelPencil shows ads; DotMaker Studio does not.

### Which is updated more often, PixelPencil or DotMaker Studio?

PixelPencil ships an update every 2 weeks, and DotMaker Studio every 3 months. Most recently, PixelPencil was updated on October 13, 2026 and DotMaker Studio 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.*