# Simple Trace vs Translucent

The clearest difference is rating: Translucent at 3.0 against Simple Trace's 1.5. Translucent also leads on ratings volume (17 vs 2) and device support (3 vs 1). Simple Trace's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and review sentiment (33% vs 20%). On price and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Translucent sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Simple Trace asks for nothing beyond the download.

Translucent holds the better App Store score, 3.0 against 1.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Translucent has 17 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 33% of Simple Trace's written reviews are positive against 20% of Translucent's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Simple Trace ships an update every 2 weeks, Translucent every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 27, 2026 and October 3, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Simple Trace | Translucent |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [1.5 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simple-trace/id1585591190/reviews) | **[3.0 (17 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/translucent-ar-trace-and-draw/id1639941337/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 2 | **17** |
| Positive reviews | **33.3% of reviews** | 20.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 weeks** | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | Ad-supported | **Free** |
| Size | 5 MB | 101 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.2** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Kazuaki Matsuda](https://appshunter.io/developer/1560179759) | [mounir tajaouart](https://appshunter.io/developer/1610887165) |

## What reviewers say

### Simple Trace

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simple-trace/id1585591190)

This app helps beginners practice drawing and painting by allowing them to trace over photos and images. Load pictures from your camera roll and use a stylus to learn basic line drawing techniques. Save your traced creations as JPG files.

**Highlights:** Trace photos and pictures, Practice drawing and painting, Load images from camera roll, Adjust image transmittance, Zoom in and out, Save drawings as JPG

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Translucent

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/translucent-ar-trace-and-draw/id1639941337)

This app transforms your device into a digital light box, offering a premium library of over 220 professional tracing images. It provides advanced camera overlay and drawing tools to help artists of all levels improve their skills and create detailed artwork.

**Highlights:** Premium image library with 222+ curated tracing images, Adjustable opacity camera overlay, Pinch-to-zoom with 20x capability, Grid overlay and filter modes, Import own images and reference photos, Lifetime access to new images

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium Library | $2.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Simple Trace free?

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

### Is Translucent free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Simple Trace or Translucent?

Translucent is rated higher. Simple Trace averages 1.5 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while Translucent averages 3.0 from 17 ratings.

### Do Simple Trace or Translucent have ads?

Both Simple Trace and Translucent show ads.

### Which is updated more often, Simple Trace or Translucent?

Simple Trace ships an update every 2 weeks, and Translucent every 3 weeks. Most recently, Simple Trace was updated on September 27, 2026 and Translucent on October 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.*