# Sketch Grid vs Tracing Buddy

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.

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.

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | Sketch Grid | Tracing Buddy |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $2.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [4.4 (32 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sketch-grid/id573334305/reviews) | **[4.5 (935 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tracing-buddy-drawing-grid/id1470174296/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 32 | **935** |
| Positive reviews | 42.1% of reviews | **62.3% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 11 months | **Every 6 weeks** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Best chart rank | **#83** | — |
| Size | 29 MB | 28 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [supple software ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/573334308) | [La Fáppbrica](https://appshunter.io/developer/1470174145) |

## What reviewers say

### Sketch Grid

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sketch-grid/id573334305)

**Currently charting:** #83 Top Paid · Graphics & Design (US App Store)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### Tracing Buddy

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tracing-buddy-drawing-grid/id1470174296)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Subscription | $0.49 | per month |
| Yearly subscription | $3.99 | per year |
| Premium Features | $9.99 | one-time |
| Premium Features | $12.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fantastic app
- 👍 Great app
- 👍 Versatile and easy to use
- 👍 Cheap and has just the perfect amount of help
- 👍 Awesome app for pencil drawing and watercolor

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Zoom feature not working
- 🐛 Grid feature not working as expected
- 🐛 Lock feature not working properly
- 🐛 Instructions and customer support not helpful
- 🐛 Ads cover drawing area

**Reported bugs**

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

**Requested features**

- 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


## Frequently asked 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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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*