# Retro Art Studio vs SpiroDesigner

The clearest difference is review sentiment: SpiroDesigner at 100% against Retro Art Studio's 34%. SpiroDesigner also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ads (none vs shown). Retro Art Studio's advantage is price (Free vs $2.99) and device support (3 vs 1). On update cadence there is nothing between them.

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

SpiroDesigner holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 1 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 34% of Retro Art Studio's written reviews are positive against 100% of SpiroDesigner's.

Retro Art Studio ships an update every 4 months, SpiroDesigner every 5 months. Both last shipped on November 1, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Retro Art Studio | SpiroDesigner |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $2.99 |
| Rating | [4.7 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/retro-art-studio/id473538911/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spirodesigner-spirograph-app/id595177167/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **3** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 34.0% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 4 months** | Every 5 months |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Paid |
| Size | 148 MB | 19 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Six Foot Three Foot](https://appshunter.io/developer/387610242) | [Masahiko Fukuyama](https://appshunter.io/developer/595177290) |

## What reviewers say

### Retro Art Studio

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/retro-art-studio/id473538911)

Unleash your creativity with three classic-inspired art tools. Design pixel art, create vibrant peg-style designs, or sketch with playful dial controls. This app offers a simple, satisfying, and mess-free way to make art for all ages.

**Highlights:** Pixel art creation, Peg-style artwork, Dial doodle sketching, Intuitive grid interface, Distraction-free design

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Remove Ads | $2.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🎨 Good for pixel art
- 🕹️ Nostalgic feel
- 👍 Simple and easy to use
- 🖼️ Clear saving to gallery
- 💡 Good for educational purposes (K-2)

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💥 Frequent crashes
- 📉 Low quality etch-a-sketch
- 🤏 Tiny icons
- 🚫 Too many ads
- ❌ No undo feature

**Reported bugs**

- Constantly crashes
- Crashed on save, lost drawing
- Won't load
- Not opening on iPad 2
- Can't open the stupid thing

**Requested features**

- More art settings
- Update to fix crashing
- More colors
- Zoom functionality
- Color Spectrum Pad


### SpiroDesigner

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spirodesigner-spirograph-app/id595177167)

Create intricate geometric patterns and mathematical curves with this digital spirograph tool. Customize circles, lines, and colors to design unique artwork. Features include saving, exporting, and automatic drawing modes.

**Highlights:** Draw epicycloids and hypotrochoids, Customize circle radii and line thickness, Select and edit colors, Save and export drawings as PNG, Automatic drawing mode, Randomize settings, Tutorial videos

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Retro Art Studio free?

Retro Art Studio is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is SpiroDesigner free?

SpiroDesigner costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Retro Art Studio or SpiroDesigner?

SpiroDesigner is rated higher. Retro Art Studio averages 4.7 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while SpiroDesigner averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do Retro Art Studio or SpiroDesigner have ads?

Retro Art Studio shows ads; SpiroDesigner does not.

### Which is updated more often, Retro Art Studio or SpiroDesigner?

Retro Art Studio ships an update every 4 months, and SpiroDesigner every 5 months. Most recently, Retro Art Studio was updated on November 1, 2026 and SpiroDesigner on November 1, 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.*