# Simply HDR vs Trace illustration

The clearest difference is update cadence: Simply HDR at every 2 months against Trace illustration's every 38 months. Simply HDR also leads on chart position (#87 vs unranked) and device support (3 vs 1). Trace illustration's advantage is price ($1.99 vs $2.99). On review sentiment, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Simply HDR costs $2.99 and Trace illustration $1.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Simply HDR ships an update every 2 months, Trace illustration every 38 months. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Simply HDR | Trace illustration |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $2.99 | **$1.99** |
| Rating | **[4.8 (1.5K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simply-hdr/id438948516/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **1.5K** | — |
| Positive reviews | **81.2% of reviews** | 80.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 months** | Every 38 months |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Best chart rank | **#87** | — |
| Size | 51 MB | 10 MB |
| Requires iOS | **14.0** | 17.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [JixiPix, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/380605671) | [Kouichi INAFUKU](https://appshunter.io/developer/438372899) |

## What reviewers say

### Simply HDR

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simply-hdr/id438948516)

**Currently charting:** #87 Top Paid · Photo & Video (US App Store)

Transform ordinary photos into vibrant HDR images with exceptional light and detail. This app offers a powerful HDR engine, presets, and adjustable controls to create stunning, artistic, or realistic HDR effects easily.

**Highlights:** Powerful HDR engine, Adjustable controls for HDR, color, vignette, and grain, HDR presets for one-click results, Save custom presets for consistent workflow, Six HDR styles (Realistic, B&W, Contrasted, etc.), Library of artistic color gradients

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use
- 🎨 Great photo effects
- 💫 Produces stunning results
- 🔥 Addictive app
- 🌟 Excellent HDR app

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Crashes/doesn't work
- 🚫 Not true HDR
- 📉 Poor image quality
- 🔍 Limited features
- 🔧 Needs more customization

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes on iOS 15 update
- Buttons/controls not working properly
- Compatibility issues with newer devices
- Slow save times
- Screen controls get corrupted

**Requested features**

- Ability to merge multiple exposures
- More filters and editing options
- Improved performance and stability
- Rotate image before saving
- Higher export resolution


### Trace illustration

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/trace-illustration/id1170968530)

Transform your iPad into a digital tracing table for drawing or practicing characters. This app offers a simplified interface with options to disable image manipulation and maximize screen brightness for clear tracing. It's suitable for both children and adults looking to create art or learn writing.

**Highlights:** Digital tracing table functionality, Disable image manipulation, Maximum screen brightness option, Outline images, Practice hiragana and kanji writing, Child-optimized interface

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Simply HDR free?

Simply HDR costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Trace illustration free?

Trace illustration costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Do Simply HDR or Trace illustration have ads?

Neither Simply HDR nor Trace illustration shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Simply HDR or Trace illustration?

Simply HDR ships an update every 2 months, and Trace illustration every 38 months. Most recently, Simply HDR was updated on October 29, 2026 and Trace illustration 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.*