# KaleidoPaint vs Brushes Redux

The clearest difference is rating: KaleidoPaint at 4.6 against Brushes Redux's 3.6. KaleidoPaint also leads on review sentiment (81% vs 63%). Brushes Redux's advantage is ratings volume (303 vs 77) and iOS requirement (8.0 vs 17.1). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

KaleidoPaint holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 77 and 303 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 81% of KaleidoPaint's written reviews are positive against 63% of Brushes Redux's.

KaleidoPaint ships an update every 5 months, Brushes Redux every 9 months. Both last shipped on November 1, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | KaleidoPaint | Brushes Redux |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.6 (77 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kaleidopaint/id518275953/reviews)** | [3.6 (303 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/brushes-redux/id932089074/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 77 | **303** |
| Positive reviews | **80.9% of reviews** | 62.8% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 5 months** | Every 9 months |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Size | 4 MB | 15 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.1 | **8.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Jeff Weeks](https://appshunter.io/developer/326104308) | [Christoffer Hoel](https://appshunter.io/developer/905811020) |

## What reviewers say

### KaleidoPaint

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kaleidopaint/id518275953)

Create intricate, repeating designs by mirroring your brushstrokes in real-time. Offers extensive editing tools for precise control over every element of your artwork. Export your creations as tileable images or standard graphics.

**Highlights:** Real-time mirrored brushstrokes, 17 symmetry patterns, Vector graphics editing, Curve smoothing and area fill, Undo/Redo functionality, Export tileable rectangles

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- ✨ Intuitive and easy to use
- 🎨 Great for creating patterns and designs
- 💎 Free and ad-free
- 💡 Vector-based editing
- 🔄 Allows for easy line adjustment (Bezier curves)

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 App crashes or doesn't open
- 🐛 Opens files app instead of the app itself
- 🐛 Blank page with no controls
- 🐛 Recent changes made the app confusing and less user-friendly
- 🐛 Old drawings ruined by updates

**Reported bugs**

- App opens files app and no files are selectable
- App opens an empty page without any controls
- App immediately opens files without allowing creation
- App doesn't work, opens files app and doesn't allow creation
- Old drawings ruined by updates

**Requested features**

- Ability to break a line from a selected point
- Eraser tool
- Export as SVG option
- More features like different brushes, blending colors, more symmetrical choices, and better stroke control
- Ability to export in a square format


### Brushes Redux

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/brushes-redux/id932089074)

This app offers a powerful and responsive painting experience on iOS devices. Create large, detailed artwork with a versatile brush engine, layer management, and import/export options. Relive your creative process with step-by-step playback.

**Highlights:** OpenGL-based painting engine, Record and replay paintings, Up to 10 layers, Import/export JPEG, PNG, PSD, Simulated pressure, Unlimited undo/redo

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use
- 🎨 Great for drawing and painting
- 💯 No ads or in-app purchases
- ⭐ Excellent for beginners
- 🎨 Customizable brushes

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Crashes frequently
- 🔍 Limited selection of tools (no blending, fill, etc.)
- 🔍 Pixelated output when zoomed in
- 🔍 Inconsistent color output
- 🔍 Difficulty using with Apple Pencil

**Reported bugs**

- Drawings disappearing or unable to open
- Color picker issues causing unintended color changes
- Dropbox integration problems
- Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions

**Requested features**

- Add blending tool
- Increase layer limit
- Implement video export
- Add text tool
- Improve Apple Pencil support


## Frequently asked questions

### Is KaleidoPaint free?

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

### Is Brushes Redux free?

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

### Which has better reviews, KaleidoPaint or Brushes Redux?

KaleidoPaint is rated higher. KaleidoPaint averages 4.6 out of 5 from 77 ratings, while Brushes Redux averages 3.6 from 303 ratings.

### Do KaleidoPaint or Brushes Redux have ads?

Neither KaleidoPaint nor Brushes Redux shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, KaleidoPaint or Brushes Redux?

KaleidoPaint ships an update every 5 months, and Brushes Redux every 9 months. Most recently, KaleidoPaint was updated on November 1, 2026 and Brushes Redux 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.*