# Simple Trace vs DrawBuddy

The clearest difference is rating: DrawBuddy at 4.4 against Simple Trace's 1.5. DrawBuddy also leads on ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (479 vs 2). Simple Trace's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 11) and review sentiment (33% vs 19%). On price, update cadence and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. DrawBuddy sells 11 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per 7 days. Simple Trace asks for nothing beyond the download.

DrawBuddy holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 1.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: DrawBuddy has 479 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 19% of DrawBuddy'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, DrawBuddy every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 27, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Simple Trace | DrawBuddy |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [1.5 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simple-trace/id1585591190/reviews) | **[4.4 (479 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/drawbuddy-how-to-draw/id6445878162/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 2 | **479** |
| Positive reviews | **33.3% of reviews** | 19.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 weeks** | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | **Ad-supported** | Subscription |
| Size | 5 MB | 42 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.2** | 17.6 |
| Devices | iPad | **iPhone, iPad** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Kazuaki Matsuda](https://appshunter.io/developer/1560179759) | [Bohdan Hlushko](https://appshunter.io/developer/1622883946) |

## 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


### 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 Simple Trace free?

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

### Is DrawBuddy free?

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

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

DrawBuddy is rated higher. Simple Trace averages 1.5 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while DrawBuddy averages 4.4 from 479 ratings.

### Do Simple Trace or DrawBuddy have ads?

Simple Trace shows ads; DrawBuddy does not.

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

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