Comparison

PicRef vs KiCAD Schematic Viewer

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

Head to head
About

PicRef

This app allows users to view and manipulate reference images with no loss of quality. It offers tools for cropping, resizing, and batch editing, with an optional drawing feature for iPad users. The interface is designed for efficiency, supporting split-screen use with other graphics software.

Highlights
  • No loss of image quality
  • Image dragging, cropping, resizing
  • Batch editing (drag, delete, mirror, sort)
  • Desaturate and mirror images
  • Free rotation at any angle
  • Split screen support
  • Handwriting notes (iPad only)
Features
Read full description

- No loss of image quality Optimize the graphic algorithm to view more images at the same time without missing any high-definition details. - Mark (iPad only) Write down your ideas by hand in any location. - Basic function Support image dragging, cropping, resizing and focus on single picture, one-click mediation. - Marquee Batch drag, delete, mirror, desaturate and sort. - Compact layout - Desaturate Quickly desaturate the selected images. - Rotation Supports free rotation at any angle. - Mirror Quickly mirror the selected images. - Split screen Can be used with other graphics software split screen.

About

KiCAD Schematic Viewer

View and analyze KiCAD schematic files on mobile. Browse component layouts, electrical connections, and signal paths with interactive tools. Supports AI-driven analysis for enhanced design verification.

Highlights
  • View KiCAD schematic files
  • Analyze component layout and connections
  • Interactive design verification
  • Real-time zoom, pan, and rotation
  • Multiple display modes
  • Web interface for file management
  • AI model integration via MCP
Features
Read full description

This is a lightweight APP for viewing KiCAD generated schematic files in a mobile environment. No matter what questions, opinions or ideas you have, you can send an email to xjerry248@gmail.com. KiCAD Schematic Viewer is a highly professional tool developed specifically for viewing and reviewing schematic design files generated by KiCAD. The tool integrates an advanced graphical interface that allows users to deeply browse schematic designs in a single-layer view mode, supporting comprehensive analysis and verification of complex schematics. Users can view the component layout, electrical connections, and signal paths in detail, and perform interactive design verification and troubleshooting. KiCAD Schematic Viewer provides real-time zoom, pan, and rotation capabilities, enabling users to precisely locate and inspect every detail of the schematic. At the same time, the tool supports various display modes, including transparent view, high brightness display, and contrast enhancement, helping users to quickly identify and solve potential problems. You can access the Web interface of the APP directly in the browser, easily manage, upload, and download the schematic design file generated by KiCAD, and achieve cross-platform convenient and efficient file operation. KiCAD Schematic Viewer provides engineers with comprehensive support to ensure high quality, reliability, and manufacturability of schematic designs, whether at the beginning of design, mid-development, or final review before production. By using KiCAD Schematic Viewer, engineers can more efficiently perform design verification, optimization, and fault diagnosis, improving overall design efficiency and product quality. KiCAD Schematic Viewer supports the Model Context Protocol (MCP). Through this protocol, it can provide AI models with the necessary context from schematic files to enhance circuit schematic analysis. Engineers can connect KiCAD Schematic Viewer with AI - driven functions like automated design analysis and intelligent verification. This allows them to more effectively identify potential schematic design issues and improve the overall quality of their schematic designs.

Screenshots

PicRef4 screens
KiCAD Schematic Viewer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: PicRef at 84% against KiCAD Schematic Viewer's 0%. PicRef also leads on price ($0.99 vs $2.99). On update cadence, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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

PicRef costs $0.99 and KiCAD Schematic Viewer $2.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PicRef ships an update weekly, KiCAD Schematic Viewer every 11 days. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 9 level
PicRef versus KiCAD Schematic Viewer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPicRefKiCAD Schematic Viewer
Price$0.99 — better$2.99
Rating4.7 (26 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews84.4% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings26 — better—
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 11 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
Best chart rank#123#54 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS14.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size24 MB8 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer祥 汤明杰 曾

Customer experience

PicRef

All ratings26 ratings
Positive92.3%
Neutral7.7%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews45 reviews
Positive84.4%
Neutral8.9%
Negative6.7%

KiCAD Schematic Viewer

Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

In-app purchases

None

PicRef

No in-app purchases

None

KiCAD Schematic Viewer

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is PicRef free?
PicRef costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is KiCAD Schematic Viewer free?
KiCAD Schematic Viewer costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do PicRef or KiCAD Schematic Viewer have ads?
Neither PicRef nor KiCAD Schematic Viewer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, PicRef or KiCAD Schematic Viewer?
PicRef ships an update weekly, and KiCAD Schematic Viewer every 11 days. Most recently, PicRef was updated on September 22, 2026 and KiCAD Schematic Viewer on September 9, 2026.
Which is more popular, PicRef or KiCAD Schematic Viewer?
PicRef currently peaks at #123 in the App Store charts, and KiCAD Schematic Viewer at #54. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

Other comparisons