Comparison

iDotMatrix vs Thingiverse Printables | 3D GO

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

Head to head
About

iDotMatrix

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
Read full description

iDotMatrix is a creative software for designing various pictures and animations for dot matrix screens. In addition to the beautiful pictures and gif animations built into the app, users can also use this software to create gif animations, DIY pictures, DIY dot matrix pictures, and more. Import the video you want to display on the dot matrix screen, set various alarm clocks, lighting effects, set alarm clocks and schedule reminders, and display music rhythms on the screen, which can be used as a scoreboard, stopwatch, and more. iDotMatrix 是一款为点阵屏设计各种图片,动画的创造性软件,app除了内置精美的图片和gif动画外,用户还可以使用该软件随心所欲创造gif动画,DIY图片,DIY点阵图片,还可以导入您想在点阵屏显示的视频,设置各类闹钟、灯光效果,设置闹钟和日程提醒,在屏上展示音乐律动,可以作为记分板、秒表、使用。

About

Thingiverse Printables | 3D GO

This app consolidates 3D model searching, viewing, and slicing from major platforms into a single interface. It allows users to find, preview, organize, and prepare STL files for 3D printing, streamlining the entire workflow.

Highlights
  • Search multiple 3D model sites
  • Full 3D preview and STL viewer
  • Built-in 3D slicer with G-code export
  • Save and organize models into collections
  • Manage STL library
  • Discover trending models and contests
Features
Read full description

3D GO – 3D Printing, STL Viewer & Slicer 3D GO is a fast, all-in-one 3D printing app for finding, previewing, organizing, and slicing 3D models from the biggest sites in the world. Instead of jumping between five different websites, folders, and slicers, you can do everything in one place. Search across Thingiverse, Printables, MakerWorld, Cults3D, Creality Cloud, Thangs, MyMiniFactory and Sketchfab at the same time to find STL files for parts, tools, upgrades, miniatures, home décor, and just about anything else you want to 3D print. Whether you’re printing functional parts or artistic models, 3D GO makes it easy to discover the best files from the entire 3D printing community. Select models with a full 3D preview and STL viewer, so you can rotate, zoom, and inspect it before you download or slice. This helps you avoid bad files, broken geometry, and wasted filament. You can also open any STL from your device and view it instantly inside the app. When you’re ready to print, 3D GO includes a built-in 3D slicer that converts STL files into print-ready G-code. You can prepare files for PLA, PETG, ABS, TPU, and more, then export them for your printer using your normal workflow. It works great alongside Bambu Studio, PrusaSlicer, Cura, and Klipper-based setups. You can save any model from any site and organize them into custom collections. Keep folders for different printers, materials, or projects, search through your saved models, and manage even huge STL libraries without losing track of anything. 3D GO also lets you explore what’s happening across the entire 3D printing world. Browse trending 3D models, check out design contests, and discover new creators without visiting each site individually. No matter what 3D printer you use — Bambu Lab, Prusa, Creality, Anycubic, Flashforge, Ultimaker, and more — 3D GO fits right into your workflow. Key features • Search Thingiverse, Printables, MakerWorld, Cults3D, Creality Cloud, Thangs, MyMiniFactory & Sketchfab • Full 3D preview and STL viewer • Built-in 3D slicer with G-code export • Save models and create custom collections • Search and manage your STL library • View trending models and design contests • Works with all major 3D printers If you’re into 3D printing and tired of juggling multiple websites and slicer apps, 3D GO brings everything together into one clean, fast experience. Download 3D GO and make finding and preparing your next 3D print simple again. 3D GO is an independent app and is not affiliated with any of the sites or printer brands mentioned. All trademarks belong to their owners. Privacy Policy: https://3dgo.app/privacy Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

iDotMatrix4 screens
Thingiverse Printables | 3D GO4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Thingiverse Printables | 3D GO at 4.7 against iDotMatrix's 2.8. Thingiverse Printables | 3D GO also leads on ratings volume (4.1K vs 85) and review sentiment (49% vs 34%). iDotMatrix's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 5 weeks). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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. Thingiverse Printables | 3D GO sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. iDotMatrix asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Thingiverse Printables | 3D GO holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 2.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Thingiverse Printables | 3D GO has 4.1K ratings behind it against 85, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 34% of iDotMatrix's written reviews are positive against 49% of Thingiverse Printables | 3D GO's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

iDotMatrix ships an update every 2 weeks, Thingiverse Printables | 3D GO every 5 weeks. Both last shipped on October 22, 2026.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
iDotMatrix versus Thingiverse Printables | 3D GO: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameteriDotMatrixThingiverse Printables | 3D GO
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.8 (85 ratings)4.7 (4.1K ratings) — better
Positive reviews33.6% of reviews48.6% of reviews — better
Number of ratings854.1K — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterEvery 5 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS15.0 — better15.1
Further details — not scored
Size82 MB58 MB
Age rating4+9+
DeveloperShenzhen Heaton Technology Co., Ltd.SimpleDev LLC

Customer experience

iDotMatrix

All ratings85 ratings
Positive35.3%
Neutral17.6%
Negative47.1%
Written reviews116 reviews
Positive33.6%
Neutral19.0%
Negative47.4%

Thingiverse Printables | 3D GO

All ratings4,074 ratings
Positive93.5%
Neutral3.2%
Negative3.4%
Written reviews208 reviews
Positive48.6%
Neutral11.5%
Negative39.9%

User reviews

iDotMatrix

From 85 App Store ratings

What we love

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

Room to improve

  • 🐛 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

Thingiverse Printables | 3D GO

From 4.1K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Convenient and free app
  • 🚀 Great database of free files
  • 🚀 Easy to send prints directly to printer
  • 👍 Helpful developer response
  • 🚀 Seamless switching between sites

Room to improve

  • 💰 Subscription required for full access
  • 🐛 Buggy app with crashes and freezes
  • 🚫 Inaccessible for smaller screens
  • 🚫 Limited functionality compared to websites
  • 🚫 Files saved as zips are inconvenient

Bugs and requests

iDotMatrix

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • 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

5 requests
  • 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

Thingiverse Printables | 3D GO

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Login issues and errors
  • Crashing and freezing on various actions
  • Incompatibility with certain devices

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add ability to like/save models
  • Improve UI and navigation
  • Implement scrolling on welcome screen
  • Add more advanced slicer features
  • Improve compatibility with older devices

In-app purchases

None

iDotMatrix

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Thingiverse Printables | 3D GO

Subscriptions2
  • 3D Printing Pro - Monthly$2.991 Month
  • 3D Printing Pro - Yearly7 Days trial$29.991 Year

Questions

Is iDotMatrix free?
iDotMatrix is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Thingiverse Printables | 3D GO free?
Thingiverse Printables | 3D GO is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, iDotMatrix or Thingiverse Printables | 3D GO?
Thingiverse Printables | 3D GO is rated higher. iDotMatrix averages 2.8 out of 5 from 85 ratings, while Thingiverse Printables | 3D GO averages 4.7 from 4.1K ratings.
Do iDotMatrix or Thingiverse Printables | 3D GO have ads?
Neither iDotMatrix nor Thingiverse Printables | 3D GO shows ads.
Which is updated more often, iDotMatrix or Thingiverse Printables | 3D GO?
iDotMatrix ships an update every 2 weeks, and Thingiverse Printables | 3D GO every 5 weeks. Most recently, iDotMatrix was updated on October 22, 2026 and Thingiverse Printables | 3D GO on October 22, 2026.

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