# Model Paint 42 vs Hobby Codex

The clearest difference is price: Hobby Codex at Free against Model Paint 42's $1.99. Hobby Codex also leads on rating (5.0 vs 3.6) and review sentiment (100% vs 64%). Model Paint 42's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and ratings volume (15 vs 2). On ads, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Hobby Codex is free to download; Model Paint 42 costs $1.99 up front. Hobby Codex sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Model Paint 42 asks for nothing beyond the download.

Hobby Codex holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Model Paint 42 has 15 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 64% of Model Paint 42's written reviews are positive against 100% of Hobby Codex's.

Model Paint 42 ships an update every 3 months, Hobby Codex every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Model Paint 42 | Hobby Codex |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $1.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [3.6 (15 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/model-paint-42/id357012161/reviews) | **[5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hobby-codex-miniatures/id6769028242/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **15** | 2 |
| Positive reviews | 63.8% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Every 6 days** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 14 MB | 81 MB |
| Requires iOS | **11.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Points Align](https://appshunter.io/developer/357012164) | [Labrousse Nicolas](https://appshunter.io/developer/1896623805) |

## What reviewers say

### Model Paint 42

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/model-paint-42/id357012161)

A comprehensive database of over 9500 paints from 29 manufacturers for modelers and artists. Easily search, compare equivalent colors across brands, and manage your paint stock. Create custom lists and add notes for efficient organization.

**Highlights:** Extensive paint database (9500+ paints), 29 manufacturer support, Cross-brand color equivalents, Customizable paint lists, Stock management, Search by color, name, code, finish, type, Notes and sorting options

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Very intuitive and customizable
- 👍 Completely stable and functional
- 👍 Great for tracking paint collection
- 👍 Useful for avoiding duplicate purchases
- 👍 Shows alternative paint choices

**What reviewers complain about**

- 📉 Needs recent paint updates
- 📉 Comparisons not totally accurate
- 📉 Old color database
- 🐛 Mistakes in paint list
- 🐛 Missing general search function

**Reported bugs**

- Comparisons between paints are not totally accurate
- Mistakes in the paint list with colors
- New ranges can’t go into my lists
- Can’t Add Notes to Colors in List
- No clear way to close the keyboard

**Requested features**

- Update with recent paints
- Improve accuracy of paint comparisons
- Add ability to make corrections or add missing colors
- Restore general search function
- Search based on FS number


### Hobby Codex

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hobby-codex-miniatures/id6769028242)

Organize your miniature painting hobby with this app. Catalog your collection, save paint recipes, manage your paint inventory, and track project progress. Designed for mobile use on your painting desk.

**Highlights:** Catalog miniatures, Save paint recipes, Manage paint inventory, Track project progress, Log painting sessions, Built-in paint catalog

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Box Catalog | $2.99 | per month |
| Box Catalog | $24.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Model Paint 42 free?

Model Paint 42 costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Hobby Codex free?

Hobby Codex is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Model Paint 42 or Hobby Codex?

Hobby Codex is rated higher. Model Paint 42 averages 3.6 out of 5 from 15 ratings, while Hobby Codex averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.

### Do Model Paint 42 or Hobby Codex have ads?

Neither Model Paint 42 nor Hobby Codex shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Model Paint 42 or Hobby Codex?

Model Paint 42 ships an update every 3 months, and Hobby Codex every 6 days. Most recently, Model Paint 42 was updated on October 26, 2026 and Hobby Codex on October 24, 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.*