Comparison

Ricalko vs Mural Trace

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Ricalko

Transform photos into traceable art projections using your device's camera. Ideal for both aspiring artists and experienced creators, this tool offers features like layer separation and perspective correction to help you achieve stunning results on any surface.

Highlights
  • Project photos for tracing
  • Layer separation for detailed drawing
  • Perspective mode for angled projection
  • Augmented reality tracing with markers
  • Creative filters for art styles
  • Zoom for precision drawing
Features
Read full description

Ricalko lets you create incredible artwork, see how your drawings take shape, like magic! It is great for beginners who want to learn drawing and it is perfect for advanced users who want to improve even more! Ricalko has many smart features that let you achieve the results your aiming to, but in few words it is able to virtually project photos, so you can trace them on a paper sheet, an easel or on any other surface! You don't have to be a professional artist to reach amazing results.  How is it able to do that? In normal mode you have to put your device onto a stand (DIY works too, like a simple glass), with the camera pointing to a sheet of paper below for example. On your screen an overlay will be shown and you will be able to see both the photo and your hand below so you can trace it! See below for more details... CRAFT REALISTIC ARTWORK FROM ANY PHOTO You can choose any photo and then create art from it. Pencil and paper? Brush and watercolours? You choose! LEARN TO DRAW AND SEPARATE LAYERS Split photos to different layers, in colors or grayscale, see them one by one individually and trace them on your art to create the final result. Perfect for learning! CREATIVE FILTERS Turn your photo into a drawing, a comic or apply a posterisation, Ricalko filters are great for creativity. PERSPECTIVE MODE You don't have to keep your device perpendicularly if you don't have a stand, you can also keep it angled, perspective mode will remove any distortion and you will be able to create your artworks without any particular effort. You just have to set it with the guidelines helper image! AR MODE Don't like keeping your device still? You don't have to with the augmented reality. You can select a marker, the app will recognise it and place your photo virtually next to it, so you can trace it! USE ANY CAMERA You can use any camera on your device, wide angle, zoom lens, ultra wide angle or even the front camera, this one with the perspective mode and a reflector (to be purchased in online stores, such as OSMO and not included). ZOOM TO BE PRECISE After you have setup your environment you can zoom on the area where you are drawing to see even more clearly, with natural gestures like pinch to zoom or by moving your device closer in AR Mode. PREMIUM CUSTOMER SUPPORT Need help? Have a suggestion? See it included in future releases and drop an email to support@genovasoftworks.com REQUIREMENTS Ricalko does not have any particular requirement since supports iOS 14+ devices only. If you can download it, it will work on your device. A printer is suggested in order to print markers for AR Mode and the guidelines image for Perspective mode, even if they could also be displayed on an additional supporting device. A subscription is required. Terms and Privacy Policy can be found at https://www.genovasoftworks.com/terms.php. For any question or help drop an email to support@genovasoftworks.com.

About

Mural Trace

Easily transfer and enlarge any image onto surfaces like walls or canvas using a phone camera and the grid method. Simplify colors, create grids, and trace sections with AR overlay. Perfect for murals, art projects, and DIY décor.

Highlights
  • Image posterization with color simplification
  • Customizable grid system for tracing
  • AR camera overlay for real-time tracing
  • Color palette extraction
  • PDF export of grid reference
  • Project management and progress tracking
Features
Read full description

Paint any image - no artistic skill required! Transfer and enlarge any photo onto walls, paper, canvas, or any large surface. Perfect for DIY home murals, street art, classroom projects, and professional installations. Use the classic grid method to divide your image into squares and trace one section at a time, using your phone's camera as a guide. Brought to you by Ctrl V Art Studio (ctrlvartstudio.com) WHY Ctrl V Art Grid? - No projector required - just your phone - Works in any lighting conditions - No artistic experience needed - Works on any wall size - Portable - take it anywhere - Much cheaper than projector setups HOW IT WORKS: 1. CHOOSE YOUR IMAGE Select any photo from your library - portraits, landscapes, logos, or artwork. 2. SIMPLIFY THE COLORS Use powerful posterization tools to reduce your image to paintable color zones. Adjust levels, contrast, and even extract a color palette to know exactly which paints to buy. 3. CREATE YOUR GRID Divide your image into a grid of squares. The app calculates the exact size each square should be. 4. TRACE WITH YOUR CAMERA Hold your phone up and use the AR camera overlay to trace each square. Pinch, zoom, and rotate to align perfectly. 5. COMPLETE YOUR PAINTING Track your progress as you paint. Mark squares complete and watch your masterpiece come together. KEY FEATURES: SMART POSTERIZATION • Reduce images to 2-10 colour levels • Multiple presets: Bold, Pop Art, Stencil, Vintage • HSB color mode for advanced control • Extract color palettes from your image • Custom color replacement FLEXIBLE GRID SYSTEM • Customizable rows and columns • Wall size calculator • Alphanumeric square labels (A1, B2, etc.) • Visual progress tracking AR CAMERA OVERLAY • Real-time image overlay on camera • Pinch to resize, rotate to align • Adjustable opacity • Position lock to prevent accidents • Built-in torch for low light PDF EXPORT • Print your grid as a reference guide • Perfect for planning large projects PROJECT MANAGEMENT • Save unlimited projects • Resume anytime • Track completion progress PERFECT FOR: • Painting portraits & landscapes • Bedroom & living room accent walls • Children's room murals • Garden walls and fences • Garage and basement art • Restaurant & café décor • Office and workspace murals • School art projects • Community murals • Street art and graffiti • Canvas enlargements • Stage backdrops • Shop signage SUBSCRIPTION Try Ctrl V Art Grid free, then unlock all features with a subscription or one-off payment: • Unlimited projects • All posterization styles • PDF export Payment will be charged to your Apple ID account at confirmation of purchase. Subscription automatically renews unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Manage subscriptions in Account Settings. Privacy Policy: https://barrelofsunshine.com/art-grid-privacy-policy Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Questions or feedback? We'd love to hear from you! hello@barrelofsunshine.com www.barrelofsunshine.com www.ctrlvartstudio.com Start your masterpiece today - download Ctrl V Art Grid now!

Screenshots

Ricalko4 screens
Mural Trace4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Mural Trace at 100% against Ricalko's 11%. Mural Trace also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.1) and monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs subscription). Ricalko's advantage is ratings volume (83 vs 1) and iOS requirement (14.0 vs 17.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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. Ricalko sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days and Mural Trace sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Mural Trace holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Ricalko has 83 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 11% of Ricalko's written reviews are positive against 100% of Mural Trace's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Ricalko ships an update every 5 months, Mural Trace every 2 months. Both last shipped on September 7, 2026.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Ricalko versus Mural Trace: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRicalkoMural Trace
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.1 (83 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews11.1% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings83 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 5 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationSubscriptionFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS14.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size40 MB39 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGENOVA SoftworksBarrel of Sunshine

Customer experience

Ricalko

All ratings83 ratings
Positive79.5%
Neutral3.6%
Negative16.9%
Written reviews9 reviews
Positive11.1%
Neutral0.0%
Negative88.9%

Mural Trace

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Ricalko

Subscriptions3
  • Weekly Unlock3 Days trial$2.997 Days
  • Premium Ricalko 1 Month$4.991 Month
  • Premium Ricalko for 1 Year$19.991 Year
3 purchases

Mural Trace

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly - Ctrl V Art Grid$3.991 Month
  • Annual - Ctrl V Art Grid$19.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime Access - Ctrl V Art Grid$9.99

Questions

Is Ricalko free?
Ricalko is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Mural Trace free?
Mural Trace is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Ricalko or Mural Trace?
Mural Trace is rated higher. Ricalko averages 4.1 out of 5 from 83 ratings, while Mural Trace averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Ricalko or Mural Trace have ads?
Neither Ricalko nor Mural Trace shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Ricalko or Mural Trace?
Ricalko ships an update every 5 months, and Mural Trace every 2 months. Most recently, Ricalko was updated on September 7, 2026 and Mural Trace on September 7, 2026.

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