Comparison

iDesign vs Morpholio Journal

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

Head to head
About

iDesign

Create professional 2D vector drawings, illustrations, and technical designs on your iPad or iPhone. Offers precise touch-based editing with unique offset controls and a full suite of advanced tools for graphics and technical design.

Highlights
  • 2D vector drawing and design
  • Precise touch-based editing
  • Advanced path editing
  • Technical drawing tools
  • Shape libraries
  • Layer management
  • iCloud sync with XDesign
Features
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Precision 2D vector drawing and design on the iPad & iPhone. Make professional quality designs, illustrations and technical drawings on the move using your fingers at last! iDesign has unique features and offset controls which allows you to draw accurately with your finger not getting in the way or blocking your view. Full feature compatibility and automatic sync of designs via iCloud with XDesign (Mac version). User Guide (PDF) available at www.touchaware.com/apps/idesign/userguide FEATURES - A universal app for both iPad and iPhone which adapts to the native screen size of the device. - An unobtrusive icon based visual and context driven user interface with a full screen board view - Toolbars and panels with easy access to frequently used functions for a fast work flow Standard Tools & Functions - Line, polyline, square, rectangle, circle, arc, ellipse, polygons, stars & path tools - Copy and paste selected shapes and groups - Group and ungroup shapes hierarchically to create complex designs - Edit points, convert shapes to path, close shapes, add and remove points, break, weld, explode and join - Precise rotation with ability to rotate at user defined center - Object alignment tools - Fill color and pen color swatches with opacity controls, custom RGB mixer - Stroke width, line style, line caps and corner join styles, arrow ends and dash patters - Text insertion with fonts, styles, sizes, paragraph alignments, multilingual, rotate/resize - Set a background image for tracing/marking over it - Insert images, copy, paste, move, resize and position them accordingly - Multilevel Undo/Redo for all edit operations - Create multiple layers to organize & separate design components - Connector tools for drawing charts and flow diagrams Unique Features for Touch Based Editing - Offset handles for moving and positioning without your finger blocking the view - Nudge controls, allows precise movement of selected shapes or selected points - Delta transformations to apply incremental values by keyboard Advanced Tools for Graphics Design - Advanced path editing options for corner, smooth and symmetric control points, straighten and curve segments - Text to path conversion - Boolean operations on shapes, unite, intersect, subtract, exclude - Freehand drawing, auto smoothened paths - Gradients / color blends Advanced Tools for Technical Drawing - Circle and Arc tool based on center, start/end point, radius and angle of arc - Dimensioning tools, length as well as angular with customisable settings - Support for Feet+Inches+Fractions (U.S & older unit system)
- Architectural formatting option for Dimensions
- Dynamic grid supporting feet, inches and inch fractions at different zoom levels Units & Board Setup - Support for standard and custom board sizes. - Set a drawing scale - Full set of standard unit systems. - Unit aware Grid with customisable settings - Snap to grid, snap to object and points - Unit aware rulers Shape libraries to organise and reuse shapes - Add, remove and organise shapes in your own libraries - A set of standard shapes for creating floor plans included Export/Import & Print - Export designs to JPEG, PNG, PDF & SVG formats - Import SVG files - Share your designs with other iDesign users via Email - Dropbox support for Export, Import - AirPrint Support iDesign is available as a monthly or yearly subscription and includes a free trial period that begins once your purchase has been confirmed with your Apple ID account. At the end of the trial your subscription will start and renew automatically. Your Apple ID account will be charged for the upcoming period unless you disable auto-renew or cancel your subscription in your Account Settings at least 24-hours prior to the end of the current period. Terms of Use: http://www.touchaware.com/apps/termsofuse Privacy policy: http://www.touchaware.com/apps/privacy

About

Morpholio Journal

This app is a digital sketchbook for creatives to write, sketch, and design anywhere. It offers a robust set of drawing tools, organizational features, and the ability to import and share ideas, making it ideal for capturing inspiration on the go.

Highlights
  • Sketch on paper, images, or notes
  • Variety of pens and brushes
  • Organize notes, events, and lists
  • Create and name multiple journals
  • Import from photos and camera
  • Share creations effortlessly
Features
Read full description

Awarded “Best App”, Journal is any designers’ dream software. Called “The Future of Sketching” by ArchDaily and “Magic” by Design Milk, Journal combines your dream set of tools with the ability to sketch, write or design anywhere. Welcome to the future of sketchbooks. WRITE, SKETCH, COLLECT Never lose an idea again. Whether you sketch daily or occasionally, inspiration strikes us all at the most unexpected moments. Journal allows you to effortlessly record, organize, sketch and brainstorm ideas along with photos, images or text to capture and develop your most important thoughts. With a powerful array of high quality drawing and writing tools including pens, pencils and paint, Morpholio Journal is ideal for designers, architects, photographers, artists, travelers, or members of any creative culture. Its unique book interface affords instant and easy navigation of thousands of pages unlocking infinite potential. Finally, you can keep track of everything you encounter, and find new ways to visualize, test, and explore the world around you. WHAT YOU CAN DO WITH JOURNAL: DRAW: Sketch, doodle or scribble pictures ORGANIZE: Notes, events, and lists DESIGN: Explore, create and brainstorm ideas CAPTURE: Travel inspiration and moments anywhere WRITE: Record thoughts, and annotate images JOURNAL FEATURES: SKETCH: Draw on paper, images or notes PENS: From precision to markers BRUSHES: Powerful tools for artists BOOKS: Create and name multiple Journals PRIVACY: Log in and out to protect work FLIP: Quick visual browsing COLOR: Custom pen palettes for multiple uses NOTES: Colorful paper markers INIFNITY: Create thousands of pages PAPER: Various templates and types TEXT: Label or write in different fonts SIMPLE: User friendly, clean interface IMPORT: From photos, camera and more PROFILE: Create a personal profile SHARE: Effortlessly send or post PEOPLE USING JOURNAL: Architects, Interior Designers, Fashion Designers, Photographers, Event Planners, Graphic Designers, Landscape Architects, Artists, Industrial designers, Tattoo Artists, Web Designers, Professors, Students, Advertising Professionals, Web Designers, Developers & Real-Estate Professionals, Retailers, Teachers, Students, Kids and many more. Morpholio JournalPro subscription plans are available in the following options: •JournalPro monthly for $0.99 •JournalPro annually for $3.99 Subscriptions will be charged to your credit card through your iTunes account. Subscriptions are automatically renewed unless cancelled at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. You will not be able to cancel a subscription during the active period. Manage your subscriptions in your Account Settings after purchase. Privacy policy: http://www.morpholioapps.com/privacy/ Terms of use: http://www.morpholioapps.com/terms/ We would be thrilled to have Morpholio Journal become a part of your creative process. We hope you enjoy Journal and if there are any specific ways it could be improved for your use, please send us your feedback.

Screenshots

iDesign4 screens
Morpholio Journal4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Morpholio Journal at 4.5 against iDesign's 2.6. Morpholio Journal also leads on ratings volume (764 vs 87) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 3 months). On price, review sentiment, ads and in-app purchases 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. iDesign sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month and Morpholio Journal sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Morpholio Journal holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 2.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Morpholio Journal has 764 ratings behind it against 87, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 50% of iDesign's written reviews are positive against 49% of Morpholio Journal's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

iDesign ships an update every 3 months, Morpholio Journal every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
iDesign versus Morpholio Journal: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameteriDesignMorpholio Journal
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.6 (87 ratings)4.5 (764 ratings) — better
Positive reviews50.2% of reviews — better48.6% of reviews
Number of ratings87764 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.5 — better16.6
Further details — not scored
Size86 MB54 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperTouchAware LimitedVectorworks, Inc.

Customer experience

iDesign

All ratings87 ratings
Positive37.9%
Neutral6.9%
Negative55.2%
Written reviews474 reviews
Positive50.2%
Neutral11.2%
Negative38.6%

Morpholio Journal

All ratings763 ratings
Positive87.3%
Neutral5.9%
Negative6.8%
Written reviews144 reviews
Positive48.6%
Neutral13.9%
Negative37.5%

Bugs and requests

iDesign

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Morpholio Journal

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Deleted sketches and content loss
  • Unreliable palm rejection
  • Compatibility issues on older devices

Requested features

4 requests
  • Ability to edit and rearrange text
  • Sync journals across devices
  • Export/print full journal
  • More customization options

In-app purchases

3 purchases

iDesign

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Subscription14 Days trial$6.991 Month
  • Yearly Subscription14 Days trial$39.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime$79.99
10 purchases

Morpholio Journal

Subscriptions2
  • Journal Pro Subscription$0.991 Month
  • Journal Pro Subscription$3.991 Year
One-time8
  • Body Art$0.99
  • Architecture$0.99
  • Landscape$0.99
Show 5 more
  • Comic Art$0.99
  • Illustration$0.99
  • Coloring$0.99
  • All Brushes$2.99
  • All Papers$2.99

Questions

Is iDesign free?
iDesign is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Morpholio Journal free?
Morpholio Journal is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, iDesign or Morpholio Journal?
Morpholio Journal is rated higher. iDesign averages 2.6 out of 5 from 87 ratings, while Morpholio Journal averages 4.5 from 764 ratings.
Do iDesign or Morpholio Journal have ads?
Neither iDesign nor Morpholio Journal shows ads.
Which is updated more often, iDesign or Morpholio Journal?
iDesign ships an update every 3 months, and Morpholio Journal every 2 months. Most recently, iDesign was updated on October 21, 2026 and Morpholio Journal on October 24, 2026.

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