Comparison

PhotoPearls vs Beads Creator

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

Head to head
About

PhotoPearls

Transform personal photos into bead patterns for pixel art creations. This mobile version uses a limited color palette and pattern size, with advanced features available in the desktop application.

Highlights
  • Convert photos to bead patterns
  • Uses 30 unique bead colors
  • Supports 30x30 bead peg boards
  • Mobile version of desktop software
  • Personalized bead art creation
Features
Read full description

Create Beaded Pixel Art with PhotoPearls® PhotoPearls enables you to transform personal photos (family, pets, friends, holiday pics), into personalised bead patterns. For more information please visit www.photopearls.se This iPhone application is a light version of our full desktop version. The patterns are based on 30 unique colours of the original NABBI® beads and peg boards (30x30 beads). Note! The following options are only available with the full version for Mac and PC / Windows: * Custom sized patterns * Change colors, brightness and contrast * Draw free-hand * Works on Mac and PC!

About

Beads Creator

Design custom fuse bead and Perler bead patterns with an intuitive pixel art editor. Import images to create patterns or use the bead list to track colors and quantities. Supports multiple bead brands and sizes.

Highlights
  • Pixel art style editing
  • Create patterns from images
  • Supports multiple bead brands
  • Bead list for color and quantity tracking
  • Cross-stitch pattern design
  • Supports 6 bead types
Read full description

OVER 1.6 MILLION DOWNLOADS Beads Creator is an easy-to-use app that lets you create fuse beads and Perler beads patterns with simple controls. With pixel art style editing, you can intuitively design your own bead patterns and bead layouts. Creating patterns using images is also supported. SIMPLE AND EASY FOR EVERYONE Thanks to a clean and intuitive UI, even beginners can quickly start creating fuse bead patterns. The app supports multiple bead brands such as Perler Beads, Hama Beads, and Nano Beads, making it easy to design patterns that match the beads you already use. It's also great for pixel art creation and cross-stitch pattern design. RECOMMENDED FOR - Fans of fuse beads and Perler beads - Anyone who wants to create bead patterns or bead designs - Lovers of pixel art and retro games - Cross-stitch and accessory makers - People looking for design templates for handmade projects SUPPORTS 6 BEAD TYPES - Perler Beads - Nano Beads - Midi Fuse Beads (5.0 mm) - Mini Fuse Beads (2.6 mm) - Midi Hama Beads (5.0 mm) - Mini Hama Beads (2.5 mm) IMAGE-BASED PATTERN CREATION You can also import images onto a pegboard and use them as fuse bead patterns. Note: Image-based patterns may not work well on non-square pegboards. CHECK COLORS AND QUANTITIES WITH THE BEAD LIST View the colors and required quantities of beads used in your design with the Bead List feature. This makes preparation for crafting much easier. PATTERN CREATION LIMITS - Initial limit: up to 30 patterns - Watch a video ad: +5 patterns each time - Increase the limit up to 480 patterns REMOVE ADS (PAID OPTION) By purchasing the Remove Ads add-on, you can: - Hide all ads - Increase the maximum number of patterns to 480 Note: This is a one-time purchase and can be restored after reinstalling the app.

Screenshots

PhotoPearls4 screens
Beads Creator4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Beads Creator at 4.5 against PhotoPearls's 2.0. Beads Creator also leads on review sentiment (74% vs 43%) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 29 months). PhotoPearls's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ads (none vs shown). On price and device support 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. Beads Creator sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. PhotoPearls asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Beads Creator holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 2.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Beads Creator has 1.5K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 43% of PhotoPearls's written reviews are positive against 74% of Beads Creator's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PhotoPearls ships an update every 29 months, Beads Creator every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 3, 2026 and October 18, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
PhotoPearls versus Beads Creator: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPhotoPearlsBeads Creator
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.0 (1 ratings)4.5 (1.5K ratings) — better
Positive reviews42.9% of reviews74.4% of reviews — better
Number of ratings11.5K — better
Update frequencyEvery 29 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS8.0 — better16.6
Further details — not scored
Size18 MB49 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMunkplast ABTakayuki Miyagawa

Customer experience

PhotoPearls

All ratings1 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive42.9%
Neutral14.3%
Negative42.9%

Beads Creator

All ratings1,488 ratings
Positive87.1%
Neutral5.3%
Negative7.6%
Written reviews227 reviews
Positive74.4%
Neutral8.4%
Negative17.2%

Bugs and requests

PhotoPearls

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Beads Creator

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Inability to delete saved patterns
  • Inconsistent behavior when adding beads

Requested features

5 requests
  • Copy/paste design elements
  • Larger and custom grid sizes
  • Import image to convert to pattern
  • Fused bead view for final look
  • Ability to edit bead colors

In-app purchases

None

PhotoPearls

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Beads Creator

One-time1
  • Remove Ads$4.99

Questions

Is PhotoPearls free?
PhotoPearls is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Beads Creator free?
Beads Creator is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, PhotoPearls or Beads Creator?
Beads Creator is rated higher. PhotoPearls averages 2.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while Beads Creator averages 4.5 from 1.5K ratings.
Do PhotoPearls or Beads Creator have ads?
Beads Creator shows ads; PhotoPearls does not.
Which is updated more often, PhotoPearls or Beads Creator?
PhotoPearls ships an update every 29 months, and Beads Creator every 2 months. Most recently, PhotoPearls was updated on October 3, 2026 and Beads Creator on October 18, 2026.

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