# Thangs vs iDotMatrix

The clearest difference is monetization model: iDotMatrix at free against Thangs's free with in-app purchases. iDotMatrix also leads on review sentiment (35% vs 24%) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 16.4). On price, rating, ratings volume and update cadence there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 3.0 for Thangs against 2.9 for iDotMatrix. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 117 and 79 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 24% of Thangs's written reviews are positive against 35% of iDotMatrix's.

Thangs ships an update weekly, iDotMatrix every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on August 26, 2026 and September 12, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Thangs | iDotMatrix |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[3.0 (117 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/thangs/id1636718933/reviews)** | [2.9 (79 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/idotmatrix/id1662746768/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **117** | 79 |
| Positive reviews | 23.8% of reviews | **34.5% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Every 2 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 46 MB | 97 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.4 | **12.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Physna, Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/1636718935) | [Shenzhen Heaton Technology Co., Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1076063818) |

## What reviewers say

### Thangs

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/thangs/id1636718933)

Explore the largest 3D model search engine with over 15 million models. Discover new creators and connect with a growing community for CAD, 3D printing, AR, and VR applications. Find or upload tens of thousands of models weekly across various 3D formats.

**Highlights:** Largest 3D search engine, Over 15 million 3D models, Discover 3D creators, Support for 30+ 3D formats, Filters for 3D printing, Connect with creators

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Efficient 3D model search across multiple platforms
- 👍 Intuitive and clean user interface
- 💡 Image-based search functionality
- 🔄 Seamless syncing with website account
- 📱 Easy browsing on mobile devices

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 App stuck on splash/loading screen (critical)
- 🖼️ Images fail to load or display
- 🔐 Login functionality broken with 2FA
- ⚠️ Frequent app crashes
- 🔗 Paywall blocking most content

**Reported bugs**

- App freezes on splash screen and never loads
- Image preview loading failures
- 2FA login code submission button hidden behind keyboard
- Email/password login not functional
- App crashes within minutes of use

**Requested features**

- Direct download functionality from mobile app
- Dark mode option
- Ability to view liked models on mobile
- Zoom functionality for model images
- Save to collections feature


### iDotMatrix

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/idotmatrix/id1662746768)

Design custom images and animations for dot matrix screens. Create GIFs, DIY pictures, and import videos. Set alarms, lighting effects, reminders, and display music rhythms.

**Highlights:** Design dot matrix pictures, Create GIF animations, DIY custom images, Import videos for display, Set alarms and reminders, Display music rhythms, Scoreboard and stopwatch functions

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Affordable pixel display
- 👍 Customizable animations and designs
- 🎨 Variety of preset content
- 👍 Easy to use app interface

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Bugs and glitches after updates
- 🔧 Limited color and editing options in the app
- 🔍 Lack of search functionality in the content library
- 🕰️ Inconsistent or limited clock/time display features

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes on startup after updates
- Issues with connecting the device to the app
- Problems with saving and loading custom designs
- Energy saving mode not working as expected

**Requested features**

- Add more color options, including darker shades
- Implement a search tool in the content library
- Allow more customization of the clock and time display
- Improve animation import and playback features
- Add support for importing GIFs and videos directly


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Thangs free?

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

### Is iDotMatrix free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Thangs or iDotMatrix?

Thangs is rated higher. Thangs averages 3.0 out of 5 from 117 ratings, while iDotMatrix averages 2.9 from 79 ratings.

### Do Thangs or iDotMatrix have ads?

Neither Thangs nor iDotMatrix shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Thangs or iDotMatrix?

Thangs ships an update weekly, and iDotMatrix every 2 weeks. Most recently, Thangs was updated on August 26, 2026 and iDotMatrix on September 12, 2026.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*