Pixel is Data vs Atkinson
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Pixel is Data
Transform your photos into unique digital art by reinterpreting photographic data. Apply presets or customize parameters to create abstract and experimental visual pieces. Explore new ways to represent reality through pixel manipulation.
- Photo data reinterpretation
- Preset parameter selection
- Customizable processing parameters
- Abstract art creation
- Experimental visual effects
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What if pixels weren't necessarily supposed to look like little squares and sit in the so-called "right order"? What if what we call "real", "true", "figurative" images were not the only way our World can be represented? What if photographic data was just... data? What if it could be reinterpreted? Select a preset and/or set your own parameters, give the app a photo to process and bang, you've got art. Find out more on Instagram at @pixelisdata and by searching for #pixelisdata. Discover the other iOS and Mac apps at http://pixelisdata.org. Pixel is Data was featured on Fast Company: "Create Amazing Pixel Art With This Free iPhone App" > http://www.fastcodesign.com/1672576/create-amazing-pixel-art-with-this-free-iphone-app And featured on CreativeApplications.net: "‘Pixel is Data’ by Matthieu Savary reorders pixels in your photos" > http://www.creativeapplications.net/cinder/pixel-is-data-by-matthieu-savary-reorders-pixels-in-your-photos/ And in Andrew Richardson's "Data-driven graphic design" book > http://www.bloomsbury.com/cw/data-driven-graphic-design/ Also discover a lot of nice comments on the App Store, such as: "Love it This app is pretty awesome. If you like creating glitch art type stuff then get this app, it's a lot of fun to mess around with. Great job." by BinaryxSunset - Version 2.24 - 03/06/2016 "Unique like mini pieces of art […] Very unique photography idea!" by Katherine717 - Version 2.24 - Sep 8, 2015 "It's Simple, Random Fun […] This is what I consider a novelty app" by Deeashley - Version 2.2 - Aug 19, 2015 "Surprisingly impressive!" by MadameBerry - Version 2.0 - Feb 16, 2015 "I want to give it six stars" by Long words - Version 2.0 - Dec 10, 2014 "Very impressed" by 4637bob - Version 2.0 - Dec 2, 2014 #PixelArt #RealityIsOverrated #GoMakeArt #PixelisData
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.
- Atkinson dithering algorithm processing
- Square photo output
- Toggleable rounded corners
- White border option
- Real-time preview
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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
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Pixel is Data at 4.4 against Atkinson's 3.3. Pixel is Data 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
Both are free to download. Atkinson sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Pixel is Data asks for nothing beyond the download.
Pixel is Data holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 3.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 25 and 6 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 83% of Pixel is Data's written reviews are positive against 71% of Atkinson's.
Pixel is Data ships an update every 10 days, Atkinson every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 7, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Pixel is Data | Atkinson |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.4 (25 ratings) — better | 3.3 (6 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 83.3% of reviews — better | 71.4% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 25 — better | 6 |
| Update frequency | Every 10 days — better | Every 3 weeks |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 8.0 — better | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 8 MB | 19 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Matthieu Savary | koyachi |
Customer experience
Pixel is Data
Atkinson
In-app purchases
Pixel is Data
No in-app purchases
Atkinson
- Standard Month$0.991 Month
- Standard Year$9.991 Year
