Comparison

Sketch Grid vs Tracing Buddy

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

Head to head
About

Sketch Grid

This app helps artists accurately reproduce, scale, or adjust reference images using various grid types. It allows customization of grid size, color, and thickness, and can convert images to sketches for easier line identification. Users can export their adjusted compositions in original resolution.

Highlights
  • Grid method for image reproduction and scaling
  • Adjust image proportions
  • Square, proportional, and triangular grids
  • Customizable grid size, color, and thickness
  • Convert image to sketch view
  • Full-screen composition view
  • Export in original resolution
Features
Read full description

Draw anything with a grid  The Grid method is the easiest way for artists to reproduce, scale up or scale down a reference image you want to transfer to a canvas.  With a grid you can also adjust a reference image to a different format with different proportions. Using a drawing grid anytime when you sketch or paint something that requires accuracy, for example still life or a portrait, will sharpen your art skills.  Select any area of your image as your composition 
 Switch between different types of grids: squares, proportional or triangular 
 Choose your optimal grid size, colour and thickness 
 Convert your image to a sketch to highlight where the lines are Hide the controls for a clean full-screen view of your composition with the grid on it
 Share or export your adjusted picture in the original resolution  
 Get it now, unleash your creativity

About

Tracing Buddy

Easily transfer images to a drawing surface using a grid system. Create drawing illusions with perspective distortion and anamorphic images. Offers various image filters and grid customization options.

Highlights
  • Drawing grid with customizable lines and subdivisions
  • Perspective distortion for anamorphic illusions
  • Image filters: line art, black & white, background removal
  • AR-guided distortion process
  • Manual distortion control
  • Save grid settings in projects
Features
Read full description

Tracing Buddy is a drawing grid and anamorphic images creation tool. Built for simplicity, Tracing Buddy allows you to easily transfer pictures to a drawing surface Using the perspective distortion functionality, now you can enter the world of drawing illusions. First, apply the distortion to your images and then transfer them to a drawing surface with a grid The app is optimized for both iPhone and iPad use, including Dark Mode support Grid Features: - Square divisions or choose the preferred aspect ratio - Change color and transparency of grid lines - Choose from four subdivision styles and change color and transparency as you wish - Change the grid background color and the transparency of your image - Change the scale and position of your image relative to the whole grid - Save grid settings in projects Image Features: - Choose from a regular image, line art style, black & white values, or remove backgrounds with the person detection filter -With the B&W and values filter you change your image to black & white, adjust shadows and highlights to you liking with the included tone curve and reduce the number of values in the picture to a more manageable amount. With the value selection tool you can inspect where values are placed in your image - Use the person detection filter to remove the backgrounds of pictures with people in them, change to a transparent or solid color background instead Anamorphic images: - Add perspective distortion to your images choosing from two method: AR or using a picture - In AR method let Tracing Buddy guide you through the whole process, you only need an iOS device equipped with AR capabilities - If you need more control about the distortion, you can take a picture from your phone or with external camera and apply the distortion manually, for this method to be effective, you need to know the dimensions of the surface you want to transfer your picture to Premium Features Add-on (either by subscription or lifetime purchase) required for: - Ad removal - Premium Image filters - Multiple Project management - PNG type export Privacy Policy: https://lafappbrica.com/tracing-buddy-privacy-policy Terms of use https://lafappbrica.com/tracing-buddy-terms/

Screenshots

Sketch Grid4 screens
Tracing Buddy4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Tracing Buddy at Free against Sketch Grid's $2.99. Tracing Buddy also leads on update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 11 months) and review sentiment (62% vs 42%). Sketch Grid's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4) and ads (none vs shown). On rating, device support and iOS requirement 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

Tracing Buddy is free to download; Sketch Grid costs $2.99 up front. Tracing Buddy sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $0.49 per month. Sketch Grid asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.4 for Sketch Grid against 4.5 for Tracing Buddy. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Tracing Buddy has 935 ratings behind it against 32, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 42% of Sketch Grid's written reviews are positive against 62% of Tracing Buddy's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Sketch Grid ships an update every 11 months, Tracing Buddy every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 14, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 3 level
Sketch Grid versus Tracing Buddy: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSketch GridTracing Buddy
Price$2.99Free — better
Rating4.4 (32 ratings)4.5 (935 ratings) — better
Positive reviews42.1% of reviews62.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings32935 — better
Update frequencyEvery 11 monthsEvery 6 weeks — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
Best chart rank#80 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.015.0
Further details — not scored
Size29 MB28 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developersupple software ltdLa Fáppbrica

Customer experience

Sketch Grid

All ratings32 ratings
Positive87.5%
Neutral3.1%
Negative9.4%
Written reviews19 reviews
Positive42.1%
Neutral10.5%
Negative47.4%

Tracing Buddy

All ratings935 ratings
Positive88.4%
Neutral4.0%
Negative7.6%
Written reviews53 reviews
Positive62.3%
Neutral3.8%
Negative34.0%

Bugs and requests

Sketch Grid

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Tracing Buddy

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Zoom feature not working
  • Grid feature not working as expected
  • Lock feature not working properly
  • App only works once, can't reuse

Requested features

5 requests
  • Ability to crop photo inside the app
  • Easier way to start a new drawing
  • Ability to rotate image
  • Grid with numbered overlay and adjustable starting point
  • Grid size based on specific measurements

In-app purchases

None

Sketch Grid

No in-app purchases

4 purchases

Tracing Buddy

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Subscription$0.491 Month
  • Yearly subscription7 Days trial$3.991 Year
One-time2
  • Premium Features$9.99
  • Premium Features$12.99

Questions

Is Sketch Grid free?
Sketch Grid costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Tracing Buddy free?
Tracing Buddy is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Sketch Grid or Tracing Buddy?
Tracing Buddy is rated higher. Sketch Grid averages 4.4 out of 5 from 32 ratings, while Tracing Buddy averages 4.5 from 935 ratings.
Do Sketch Grid or Tracing Buddy have ads?
Tracing Buddy shows ads; Sketch Grid does not.
Which is updated more often, Sketch Grid or Tracing Buddy?
Sketch Grid ships an update every 11 months, and Tracing Buddy every 6 weeks. Most recently, Sketch Grid was updated on September 14, 2026 and Tracing Buddy on September 21, 2026.

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