# Blend Modes vs Symbols Explorer

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Blend Modes at none against Symbols Explorer's 6. Blend Modes also leads on iOS requirement (18.0 vs 26.0). Symbols Explorer's advantage is update cadence (every 2 months vs every 29 months). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Symbols Explorer sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Blend Modes asks for nothing beyond the download.

Blend Modes ships an update every 29 months, Symbols Explorer every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 7, 2026 and November 12, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Blend Modes | Symbols Explorer |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | **[4.5 (26 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/symbols-explorer/id1612933742/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | — | **26** |
| Positive reviews | — | 61.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 29 months | **Every 2 months** |
| Monetization | — | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 5 MB | 65 MB |
| Requires iOS | **18.0** | 26.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac | **iPhone, iPad, Mac, Vision Pro** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Bryan Marshall](https://appshunter.io/developer/1521903901) | [Shota Abe](https://appshunter.io/developer/1610459325) |

## What reviewers say

### Blend Modes

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/blend-modes/id1589787153)

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### Symbols Explorer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/symbols-explorer/id1612933742)

Easily find and copy SF Symbols for your development projects. Browse by category, discover related icons, and utilize multicolor options. A handy tool for enhancing app interfaces.

**Highlights:** Search SF Symbols, Search related symbols, Copy symbol name, Browse by categories, Multicolor support

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium (Monthly Subscription) | $2.99 | per month |
| Premium (Yearly Subscription) | $29.99 | per year |
| Small Tip | $1.99 | one-time |
| Symbols Explorer Pro | $1.99 | one-time |
| Medium Tip | $4.99 | one-time |
| Large Tip | $9.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Blend Modes free?

Blend Modes is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Symbols Explorer free?

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

### Do Blend Modes or Symbols Explorer have ads?

Neither Blend Modes nor Symbols Explorer shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Blend Modes or Symbols Explorer?

Blend Modes ships an update every 29 months, and Symbols Explorer every 2 months. Most recently, Blend Modes was updated on November 7, 2026 and Symbols Explorer on November 12, 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.*