Comparison

SnapDot vs Atkinson

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

Head to head
About

SnapDot

Transform your photos into unique stipple drawings with intuitive editing tools. Control dot density, contrast, and brightness to create professional-looking art for sharing or printing. Supports color, greyscale, and black-and-white outputs.

Highlights
  • Create stipple drawings from photos
  • Control dot density, contrast, and brightness
  • Color, greyscale, and black-and-white modes
  • Optional canvas background
  • Advanced PDF exporting
  • Social media integration
Features
Read full description

Automatically create one-of-kind professional stipple drawings! Create customized professional stipple drawings from photos with easy editing tools on the iPhone and iPad. The dots respond instantly to your artistic expression. The most compelling and innovative drawing app on the App Store. CHECK OUT SNAPDOT ON PINTEREST: http://pinterest.com/jccollier/snapdot-drawings/ SnapDot gives your iPhone and iPad the ability to draw professionally with stipples: dots! SnapDot applies your creativity to your favorite photos with intuitive controls. Each setting—whether it’s the number of dots, contrast, or brightness—turns your photo into a unique work of art to share with friends or to frame and hang on your wall. FEATURES: + Fine-level control over contrast, brightness, and number of dots. + Individual modes for color, greyscale and true black-and-white drawings. + Optional canvas background and advanced exporting to PDF. + Helpful on-screen reminders of buttons and icons. + Improved integration with Facebook and all your other apps. SUPPORTS: All iPhone and iPad devices running iOS 8.0+, including iOS 9. Have an issue? We can't respond to App Store reviews, so email us at support@dotwerx.com.

About

Atkinson

This app processes photos using the Atkinson dithering algorithm, originally used for black and white displays on old Macintosh computers. It creates small file-sized images with options for square cropping, rounded corners, and white borders, offering a real-time preview of the effect.

Highlights
  • Atkinson dithering algorithm processing
  • Square photo output
  • Toggleable rounded corners
  • White border option
  • Real-time preview
Features
Read full description

Transform your photos with the iconic Atkinson dithering algorithm — the same technique used on the original Macintosh by Bill Atkinson. Create stunning retro-style images with a single tap. # What is Atkinson Dithering? Atkinson dithering was the algorithm behind the classic 1-bit graphics of early Macintosh computers. It converts photos i nto beautiful two-tone pixel patterns, producing images with a distinctive vintage charm and remarkably small file sizes. # Features - Real-time Atkinson dithering preview through your camera - 7 retro-tech color palettes: Terminal Green, Amber Monitor, Original Macintosh, Game Boy, Apple II Green, White Phospho r, and classic black & white - 5 iconic frames inspired by computing history: MacPaint, Classic Mac window, Terminal, White Frame, and frameless - Adjustable brightness control - Rounded corner option - Square photo output optimized for social media - Lightweight PNG output with tiny file sizes # Color Palettes Go beyond black and white. Choose from color palettes inspired by legendary displays — the green glow of VT100 terminals, the warm amber of IBM monitors, the creamy screen of the original Macintosh, and more. # Retro Frames Wrap your dithered photos in frames inspired by classic software. The MacPaint frame features pixel-perfect tool palettes and menu bars, just like Bill Atkinson's legendary paint program. The Classic Mac frame recreates the iconic window chrome of early Macintosh. # Perfect for - Retro and vintage photo enthusiasts - Pixel art lovers - Social media posts with a unique aesthetic - Anyone who appreciates the beauty of 1-bit graphics

Screenshots

SnapDot1 screens
Atkinson4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: SnapDot at 4.6 against Atkinson's 3.3. SnapDot also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 2) and ads (none vs shown). On price, update cadence 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. Atkinson sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. SnapDot asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

SnapDot holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SnapDot has 39 ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 82% of SnapDot's written reviews are positive against 71% of Atkinson's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SnapDot ships an update every 2 months, Atkinson monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 28, 2026 and October 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
SnapDot versus Atkinson: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSnapDotAtkinson
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (39 ratings) — better3.3 (6 ratings)
Positive reviews82.3% of reviews — better71.4% of reviews
Number of ratings39 — better6
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS8.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size3 MB19 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDotwerxkoyachi

Customer experience

SnapDot

All ratings39 ratings
Positive87.2%
Neutral7.7%
Negative5.1%
Written reviews62 reviews
Positive82.3%
Neutral8.1%
Negative9.7%

Atkinson

All ratings6 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral16.7%
Negative33.3%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive71.4%
Neutral0.0%
Negative28.6%

Bugs and requests

SnapDot

Reported bugs

10 issues
  • Crashes when opened
  • Crashes upon opening after iOS 6 update
  • Sliders no longer visible
  • App will not delete
  • Background frame/paper button doesn't toggle background
Show 5 more
  • Image resizing/resolution reduction
  • Self-hiding adjustment popovers
  • Manual adjustment brushes confusing
  • Does not install on iPad (for one user)
  • Saving to camera roll not full size

Requested features

8 requests
  • More dots
  • Ability to crop image
  • More updates
  • Port to macOS
  • Add squares & geometric shapes
Show 3 more
  • Reset feature
  • Stop auto-hiding adjustment popovers
  • Full size saving to camera roll

Atkinson

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

SnapDot

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Atkinson

Subscriptions2
  • Standard Month$0.991 Month
  • Standard Year$9.991 Year

Questions

Is SnapDot free?
SnapDot is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Atkinson free?
Atkinson is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, SnapDot or Atkinson?
SnapDot is rated higher. SnapDot averages 4.6 out of 5 from 39 ratings, while Atkinson averages 3.3 from 6 ratings.
Do SnapDot or Atkinson have ads?
Atkinson shows ads; SnapDot does not.
Which is updated more often, SnapDot or Atkinson?
SnapDot ships an update every 2 months, and Atkinson monthly. Most recently, SnapDot was updated on September 28, 2026 and Atkinson on October 4, 2026.

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