# RefCanvas vs HyperRef

The clearest difference is review sentiment: HyperRef at 100% against RefCanvas's 43%. HyperRef also leads on rating (4.7 vs 2.3) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 17 months). RefCanvas's advantage is iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.6). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. RefCanvas sells 2 one-off in-app purchases and HyperRef sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

HyperRef holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 2.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 7 and 3 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 43% of RefCanvas's written reviews are positive against 100% of HyperRef's.

RefCanvas ships an update every 17 months, HyperRef every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 15, 2026 and June 9, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | RefCanvas | HyperRef |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.3 (7 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/refcanvas/id6447381089/reviews) | **[4.7 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hyperref/id6743102705/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **7** | 3 |
| Positive reviews | 42.9% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 17 months | **Every 2 months** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 131 MB | 12 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 18.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Mac |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [youcef boukit](https://appshunter.io/developer/1681171051) | [Seth Kenneth Berggren](https://appshunter.io/developer/1801346715) |

## What reviewers say

### RefCanvas

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/refcanvas/id6447381089)

This app helps artists and designers organize visual references for their projects. Import images and GIFs, arrange them on a canvas, add notes, and export your creations.

**Highlights:** Import images and GIFs, Add text notes, Move, scale, and rotate references, Group references with nodes, Supports split screen and pop-up view, Export boards as SVG or images

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pro version | $2.99 | one-time |
| Pro version | $3.99 | one-time |


### HyperRef

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hyperref/id6743102705)

Create and organize your personal art reference library with powerful import and study tools. Analyze images by value, contrast, and color, and track your artistic progress with attached studies. Secure your sensitive collections with biometric protection.

**Highlights:** Web import for bulk image saving, Analyze images by value, contrast, color, Timed practice and study modes, Attach sketches to references, Biometric collection protection, Smart collections and organization, Offline access with iCloud sync

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| HyperRef Pro | $4.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is RefCanvas free?

RefCanvas is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is HyperRef free?

HyperRef is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, RefCanvas or HyperRef?

HyperRef is rated higher. RefCanvas averages 2.3 out of 5 from 7 ratings, while HyperRef averages 4.7 from 3 ratings.

### Do RefCanvas or HyperRef have ads?

Neither RefCanvas nor HyperRef shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, RefCanvas or HyperRef?

RefCanvas ships an update every 17 months, and HyperRef every 2 months. Most recently, RefCanvas was updated on September 15, 2026 and HyperRef on June 9, 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.*