SimpleDraw vs Charcoal
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
SimpleDraw
This intuitive drawing app offers a clean, distraction-free canvas for unleashing creativity. Redesigned for the modern era, it features a floating menu for easy access to tools and allows users to save and share their artwork.
- Distraction-free canvas
- Intuitive drawing tools
- Adjustable line width
- Save and share artwork
- Modern interface
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The original classic is back! One of the very first drawing apps on the App Store for the first iPhone, SimpleDraw was a Top 4 Productivity hit in its heyday. Now, it has been completely redesigned for the modern era. Unleash your creativity on a clean, distraction-free canvas. The intuitive drawing app designed for everyone! A Classic, Reimagined: * Modern Interface: A completely redesigned experience that is simple and beautiful. * Floating Menu: Your tools for color, line width, and clearing the canvas are always just a tap away. * Adjustable Line Width: From fine lines to bold strokes, customize your brush size with a simple slider. * Save and Share Your Art: Easily save your drawing to your Photos, send it to a friend, or share it on social media with the built-in share feature. Perfect for: * Quick sketches and ideas * Digital art and illustrations * Educational drawings and diagrams * Relaxing creative sessions * Sharing artistic moments Experience the revival of a classic. Download SimpleDraw today and turn your device into a canvas for your imagination!
Charcoal
This app offers a simple yet powerful sketching experience with rich tools and beautiful color palettes. Easily create and export your artwork for use in other graphics programs. It supports modern iOS features like multiple windows and dark mode for enhanced productivity.
- Simple sketching interface
- Rich drawing tools
- Beautiful color palettes
- Export sketches
- Multiple window support
- Dark mode
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• Charcoal is incredibly easy to use: Just create or open a sketch and start sketching. There are no layers or confusing settings. Instead, Charcoal features rich tools and beautiful color palettes. • Charcoal allows you to export a sketch to use it in your favorite graphics program. • Charcoal supports modern iOS and iPadOS features like multiple windows and dark mode: use it at night or open multiple sketches, even side by side.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: Charcoal at every 2 months against SimpleDraw's every 199 months. Charcoal also leads on iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.6). On price, review sentiment, 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
SimpleDraw ships an update every 199 months, Charcoal every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 18, 2026 and September 8, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | SimpleDraw | Charcoal |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | 4.5 (143 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 72.6% of reviews | 76.9% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | — | 143 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 199 months | Every 2 months — better |
| Ads | — | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Vision Pro |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | 15.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 5 MB | 28 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Samuel Li | Lars Augustin |
Customer experience
SimpleDraw
Charcoal
User reviews
SimpleDraw
From App Store reviewsWhat we love
- 🚀 Simple, fast, and efficient
- 👍 Straightforward interface
- 👍 Great for quick sketching and note-taking
- 👍 Responsive and follows finger well
- 👍 Useful for various purposes like lectures, ideas, etc.
Room to improve
- 🔍 Limited color palette
- 🐛 Drawings not saved automatically
- 🐛 Shake to erase feature too sensitive
- 🔍 Difficulty drawing at the bottom of the screen
Charcoal
From 143 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Simple and intuitive
- 👍 Great for quick sketching
- 🎨 Aesthetically pleasing design
- 💰 Free with no ads
Room to improve
- 🎨 Limited color palette
- 🎨 Lack of customization options
- 🎨 Missing advanced drawing tools
- 🐛 Occasional bugs and crashes
Bugs and requests
SimpleDraw
Reported bugs
2 issues- Drawings disappear when app is closed without saving
- Difficulty remembering gesture to access second page
Requested features
4 requests- More color options
- Ability to load and edit saved drawings
- Option to draw on photos from the album
- Additional drawing tools like shapes, lines, etc.
Charcoal
Reported bugs
3 issues- Saved sketches lose quality
- Palette colors change unexpectedly
- Freezing when opening color palette
Requested features
4 requests- Ability to change brush/pen size
- Layers and blending tools
- Color wheel and custom color selection
- Import/export options
In-app purchases
SimpleDraw
No in-app purchases
Charcoal
No in-app purchases
