# Art Tools vs ConnectXchange

The clearest difference is price: ConnectXchange at Free against Art Tools's $2.99. ConnectXchange also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 62%) and in-app purchases (none vs 1). Art Tools's advantage is chart position (#188 vs unranked) and update cadence (every 8 months vs every 16 months). On ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

ConnectXchange is free to download; Art Tools costs $2.99 up front. Art Tools sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. ConnectXchange asks for nothing beyond the download.

Art Tools ships an update every 8 months, ConnectXchange every 16 months. The most recent releases landed on September 19, 2026 and August 22, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Art Tools | ConnectXchange |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $2.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | **[3.4 (253 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/art-tools/id407578464/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **253** | — |
| Positive reviews | 62.1% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 8 months** | Every 16 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Best chart rank | **#188** | — |
| Size | 15 MB | 172 MB |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 | 12.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Accurasee](https://appshunter.io/developer/406065392) | [Apps Resource Centre, Hong Kong Baptist University](https://appshunter.io/developer/1375410542) |

## What reviewers say

### Art Tools

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/art-tools/id407578464)

**Currently charting:** #188 Top Paid · Education (US App Store)

This app helps artists plan their compositions and analyze subjects before painting. It allows you to import photos, apply grids, adjust values, and manipulate images to achieve the desired proportions and layout for your artwork.

**Highlights:** Import photos or use camera, Apply various grids (e.g., golden ratio), Adjust image values and color, Resize, rotate, and move photo, Value checker tool, Save and email projects

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Art Tools Pro | $2.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Helpful for drawing
- 👍 Useful for artists
- 👍 Great for proportions
- 👍 Useful for plein air
- 👍 Good value tool

**What reviewers complain about**

- 👎 Not user-friendly
- 👎 Grid customization tricky
- 👎 Difficult to figure out
- 👎 No instructions
- 👎 Poor replacement for value viewer

**Reported bugs**

- Cannot update to paid version
- Shop not open
- App abandoned by developers
- No support or help
- Bugs in updated version

**Requested features**

- New app will be better
- Make grid intro clearer
- Vertical plumb lines
- Option for square paintings
- Option for horizontal paintings


### ConnectXchange

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/connectxchange/id1279618440)

This app serves as a quick reference for art history students and enthusiasts. It offers overviews of art movements and styles, a chronological timeline, and a glossary of terms and colors for educational and academic purposes.

**Highlights:** Art movements and styles overview, Key artists and works, Chronological timeline, Glossary of terms and colors, Links for further study

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Art Tools free?

Art Tools costs $2.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Is ConnectXchange free?

ConnectXchange is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do Art Tools or ConnectXchange have ads?

Neither Art Tools nor ConnectXchange shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Art Tools or ConnectXchange?

Art Tools ships an update every 8 months, and ConnectXchange every 16 months. Most recently, Art Tools was updated on September 19, 2026 and ConnectXchange on August 22, 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.*