Comparison

PicRef vs ImgRef

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

ImgRef

This app is a professional reference image and inspiration board for creative professionals. It combines mood boards, asset management, color picking, and free-form collaging across devices with features like unlimited canvas, batch processing, and image editing.

Highlights
  • Unlimited canvas with smart caching
  • Multi-select batch image processing
  • Professional workflow with keyboard shortcuts
  • Image editing tools (rotate, crop, layers)
  • Dynamic eyedropper for color picking
  • Video playback and still extraction
  • Magnetic guides for precise layouts
  • Web drag & drop from popular sites
Features
Read full description

「App Store Editor's Choice」 「98% 5-Star Ratings」 「Cross-Platform for iPhone/iPad/MacOS」 Redefine your creative workflow - an all-in-one tool combining mood boards, reference images, smart asset management, precise color picking, and free-form collaging across devices. Designed for UI/brand/illustration/photography/architecture/video storyboard and other creative scenarios, this is your professional reference image and inspiration board on iPhone / iPad / macOS. Core Features: 1. Unlimited Canvas: Smart caching and image management for large long-term libraries and smooth browsing. 2. Multi-Select Batch Processing: Select multiple images for adaptive scaling, smart layout, uniform size, copy, and alignment. 3. Professional Workflow: Full keyboard shortcuts (Mac / iPad keyboard) for faster frequent actions. 4. Image Editing: Rotate, crop, desaturate, flip, adjust opacity, layers, scale, and more. 5. Dynamic Eyedropper: Pick any canvas color in real time and get common color codes. 6. Video Processing: MP4 playback and 4K still extraction for faster storyboards, covers, and video references. 7. Stylized Text: Built-in fonts and styles make notes, titles, and labels clearer on the canvas. 8. Magnetic Guides: Alignment hints and smart snapping for precise layouts. 9. GIF Decomposition: Break animations into frames for clearer detail references. 10. Import & Backup: Clipboard, photos, folders, drag & drop, export, full backup. 11. Web Drag & Drop: Drag images from Pinterest / ArtStation / Midjourney / Pixiv / Instagram and more. 12. Multiple Modes: View, lock, and edit modes keep browsing and editing separate. 13. Brush Tools: Annotate and highlight key areas for more intuitive communication. 14. File Management: Grid/list views with multiple sorting options. 15. Canvas Zoom: Smooth zoom and pan for comfortable detail viewing. Enhanced Features: 1. Image/GIF/Video Notes: Add notes to capture ideas and key points. 2. Preview Mode: Switch to a clean preview for focused viewing and presentations. 3. Advanced Crop: Fit different aspect ratios and compositions faster for cleaner output. 4. Image Blur: Blur images for privacy protection and richer visual layering. 5. High-Resolution Scene Export (PNG): Export full scenes as HD PNG for sharing and delivery. 6. File Favorites: Save frequent files for quick access to key references. 7. Category Tags: Tag files by use, project, or status for faster filtering. 8. Dotted Background: Toggle a dotted background for clearer edge contrast. 9. Canvas Grayscale: Focus on tone and composition with grayscale view. 10. Image Color Analysis: Extract dominant colors to understand palette relationships. 11. Layer Panel: Preview names, reorder, and quick select for efficient layer management. 12. Scheduled Playback: Timed switching, playback controls, and countdown. 13. Layer Search: Filter by type and keyword to quickly locate target content among many layers. 14. Brush Presets: Switch stroke width, color, and opacity for annotation, highlighting, and sketching. 15. Canvas RGB Single-Channel Preview: View R/G/B channels separately to analyze color distribution, tone, and detail. 16. Link Cards: Turn webpages into cover cards pinned on the canvas; one tap to open 17. Image OCR: One tap reads the text in an image and creates text beside it, so titles, copy, and labels can be lifted without retyping. 18. Classify/Find by Color: Basic, nearby, and fine families. Group canvas images by color family, or find from an image’s color family, for clearer palette comparison. You can subscribe to ImgRef Pro. Charged to your iTunes account on confirmation. Auto-renews unless canceled 24+ hours before period end. Manage in iTunes Store. Privacy Policy: https://xunhuaref.cn/index.php/privacypolicy/ Terms of Use: https://xunhuaref.cn/index.php/privacypolicy/eula-en/ Download now and experience the smoothest creative tool in the Apple ecosystem! Thank you for reading. Contact us: Email: imgref@163.com

Screenshots

PicRef4 screens
ImgRef4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: ImgRef at Free against PicRef's $0.99. ImgRef also leads on update cadence (every 2 days vs weekly) and ratings volume (126 vs 26). PicRef's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and chart position (#134 vs unranked). On rating, review sentiment, ads 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

ImgRef is free to download; PicRef costs $0.99 up front. ImgRef sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. PicRef asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for PicRef against 4.7 for ImgRef. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 26 and 126 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 84% of PicRef's written reviews are positive against 79% of ImgRef's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PicRef ships an update weekly, ImgRef every 2 days. Both last shipped on October 30, 2026.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
PicRef versus ImgRef: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPicRefImgRef
Price$0.99Free — better
Rating4.7 (26 ratings)4.7 (126 ratings) — better
Positive reviews84.4% of reviews — better78.9% of reviews
Number of ratings26126 — better
Update frequencyWeeklyEvery 2 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
Best chart rank#134 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better
Requires iOS14.0 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size24 MB76 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer祥 汤文荣 李

Customer experience

PicRef

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

ImgRef

All ratings126 ratings
Positive91.3%
Neutral0.8%
Negative7.9%
Written reviews71 reviews
Positive78.9%
Neutral4.2%
Negative16.9%

Bugs and requests

PicRef

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

ImgRef

Reported bugs

1 issue
  • Trouble importing images from other apps

Requested features

3 requests
  • Add cropping functionality
  • Implement doodle/text feature for notes
  • Add GIF frame reading function

In-app purchases

None

PicRef

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

ImgRef

Subscriptions2
  • pro_monthly$0.991 Month
  • ImgRef Annual Subscription$5.991 Year

Questions

Is PicRef free?
PicRef costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is ImgRef free?
ImgRef is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, PicRef or ImgRef?
ImgRef is rated higher. PicRef averages 4.7 out of 5 from 26 ratings, while ImgRef averages 4.7 from 126 ratings.
Do PicRef or ImgRef have ads?
Neither PicRef nor ImgRef shows ads.
Which is updated more often, PicRef or ImgRef?
PicRef ships an update weekly, and ImgRef every 2 days. Most recently, PicRef was updated on October 30, 2026 and ImgRef on October 30, 2026.

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