# iDotMatrix vs Thingiverse Printables | 3D GO

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 86) and review sentiment (47% vs 33%). 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.

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.

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 86, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 33% of iDotMatrix's written reviews are positive against 47% of Thingiverse Printables | 3D GO's.

iDotMatrix ships an update every 2 weeks, Thingiverse Printables | 3D GO every 5 weeks. Both last shipped on November 7, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | iDotMatrix | Thingiverse Printables | 3D GO |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.8 (86 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/idotmatrix/id1662746768/reviews) | **[4.7 (4.1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/thingiverse-printables-3d-go/id6462052942/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 86 | **4.1K** |
| Positive reviews | 32.5% of reviews | **47.4% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 weeks** | Every 5 weeks |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 82 MB | 58 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 15.1 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 9+ |
| Developer | [Shenzhen Heaton Technology Co., Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1076063818) | [SimpleDev LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1694780723) |

## What reviewers say

### 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


### Thingiverse Printables | 3D GO

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/thingiverse-printables-3d-go/id6462052942)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 3D Printing Pro - Monthly | $2.99 | per month |
| 3D Printing Pro - Yearly | $29.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 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

**Reported bugs**

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

**Requested features**

- 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


## Frequently asked 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 86 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 November 7, 2026 and Thingiverse Printables | 3D GO on November 7, 2026.

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