Comparison

ShotDeck vs Paintable

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

Head to head
About

ShotDeck

Access the world's largest library of high-quality, searchable cinematic images. This tool aids directors, cinematographers, and visual artists in finding inspiration, conducting research, and referencing visual styles for film production. Explore detailed information for each image to enhance your creative process.

Highlights
  • Largest collection of cinematic images
  • Meticulously keyworded and searchable
  • Detailed image metadata (cast, crew, camera, lens)
  • Time-saving image discovery
  • Inspiration, research, and reference tool
  • Collaborative professional tool
Features
Read full description

Shotdeck is the largest collection of meticulously keyworded fully searchable high quality cinematic images in the world. Hello directors, cinematographers, designers, ad folks, film students and visual artists, you’ve just discovered your new secret weapon, the best collaborative professional tool for bringing your vision to life - from pitch, to prep to post. Each image has information on cast and crew, aspect ratio, framing, lighting, camera, lens, shooting location, and a dozen more. This time saving app will help you not just find the exact image you are looking for but allow you to discover ones that you never new existed. You'll wonder how you ever worked without Shotdeck. Inspiration - Research - Reference - Education - Discovery Start exploring Shotdeck totally free today and witness your vision come to life and your creativity reach new heights.

About

Paintable

This app offers a structured learning path and supportive community for aspiring digital artists. It provides step-by-step guidance, monthly workshops, and personalized feedback to help users develop their illustration skills and build a consistent creative practice.

Highlights
  • 5-Level learning path
  • Monthly themed workshops
  • Private feedback space
  • Supportive artist community
  • Creative habit support
Features
Read full description

Transform into a confident artist by creating original illustrations from imagination, guided by a clear path, helpful feedback, and a community that shares your passion. Digital Painting Academy is a private, supportive space built specifically for self-taught digital artists who want to grow their skills, build a consistent creative practice, and confidently illustrate from imagination. Whether you’re just getting started or returning after years away, you’ll find the structure, feedback, and community you’ve been missing. Join over 9,000 artists already transforming their creative lives with our step-by-step learning path, monthly themed workshops, and expert support—designed to help you finish what you start and feel proud of the art you make. > WHO IS THIS FOR? This app is for digital artists who are: • Returning to art after a long break and ready to reconnect with their creative identity • Aspiring illustrators who want to level up and take their craft seriously • Hobbyists who love making art, but struggle to finish anything • Creative burnout survivors who want to bring joy back to their art practice If you’ve ever felt stuck, scattered, or overwhelmed by all the tutorials and advice out there—you’re not alone. This space is for artists who want real growth, real progress, and real connection. > WHAT WILL YOU GET? Inside the Digital Painting Academy app, you’ll find everything you need to go from dabbler to confident artist: ** A 5-Level Learning Path ** A clear roadmap from beginner foundations to fully polished illustrations—designed to build your skills step by step, so you’re never lost or wondering what to learn next. ** Monthly Workshops ** Every month, dive into new themes like portraits, characters, and storytelling illustration. Learn pro techniques, apply them through mini-projects, and stretch your creative muscles—without getting overwhelmed. ** Private Feedback Space ** Get personalized, constructive feedback from experienced mentors who understand your goals. Whether you’re stuck or just need a nudge, we’re here to help you keep going. ** Supportive Artist Community ** No ego. No distractions. Just a warm, encouraging space to connect, grow, and stay inspired with fellow artists who care about their craft as much as you do. ** Built-In Creative Habit Support ** Life gets busy—but that doesn’t mean your art has to take a backseat. We help you find a rhythm that fits your real life, so you can make consistent progress without burnout. > WHY JOIN? Because you’re putting in the hours—now it’s time to get the results you deserve. If you’ve ever thought: “I’ve been drawing for years, but I still don’t feel like I’m improving.” “I can’t seem to finish my projects.” “I know I could do this… if I just had the right structure.” This is the space you’ve been looking for. Create art you’re proud of. Finish what matters. And finally feel like a “real” artist. No more doing it alone. No more wondering what to work on next. Just a clear, supportive path to becoming the artist you’ve always wanted to be. Join Digital Painting Academy and unlock the skills, confidence, and momentum to bring your imagination to life—one finished piece at a time.

Screenshots

ShotDeck4 screens
Paintable4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Paintable at 4.7 against ShotDeck's 3.2. Paintable also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 2 weeks). ShotDeck's advantage is iOS requirement (15.6 vs 17.0). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Paintable holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 46 and 18 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ShotDeck ships an update every 2 weeks, Paintable weekly. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
ShotDeck versus Paintable: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterShotDeckPaintable
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.2 (46 ratings)4.7 (18 ratings) — better
Positive reviews28.9% of reviews—
Number of ratings46 — better18
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.6 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size78 MB130 MB
Age rating17+9+
DeveloperFilmmakers Research Lab, LLCPaintable Pte. Ltd.

Customer experience

ShotDeck

All ratings44 ratings
Positive47.7%
Neutral11.4%
Negative40.9%
Written reviews45 reviews
Positive28.9%
Neutral11.1%
Negative60.0%

Paintable

All ratings18 ratings
Positive88.9%
Neutral11.1%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

ShotDeck

Reported bugs

35 issues
  • UI issues
  • Low quality grabs
  • App crashes constantly
  • App quits after a few searches or image saves
  • App crashes when searching
Show 30 more
  • Age verification required
  • New account creation with Apple ID required
  • iPad app crashes every time search is used
  • App crashes when entering a search term
  • Infinite loading
  • Won't allow sign up or log in
  • Password reset email not received
  • Enlarged images opened in a new page
  • Search feature completely useless
  • App wouldn't load anything
  • Servers down error
  • No more than 5 minutes without crashing on iPads and iPhones
  • Images take too long to load
  • Images won't load
  • System error causing refund
  • Asked to sign in, not sign up
  • Application would shut down itself when looking for more shots
  • App entirely crashes when swiping through full sized photos on iPad
  • App crashes after a few minutes of use on iPad
  • Search engine never works
  • Search bar not working
  • Filters don't work in search function
  • Burned 2 hours saving images to a deck, but they are not in the deck
  • App crashes repeatedly
  • Periodic crashing (typically when choosing to browse similar shots)
  • Quick add doesn't seem to work
  • Unpredictable search results
  • Pages don't load or have errors
  • Searches with fairly common words don't yield any results
  • Cannot use split screen or a floating window with the app on the iPad

Requested features

8 requests
  • Update app to be a great companion to desktop site
  • Fix login with Apple ID issue
  • Fix age verification and account creation hurdles
  • Make a widget that cycles random shots
  • Improve UI/UX
Show 3 more
  • Add more data to search and tags
  • Add dark mode
  • Faster way to add shots to favorites

Paintable

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

ShotDeck

No in-app purchases

None

Paintable

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is ShotDeck free?
ShotDeck is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Paintable free?
Paintable is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, ShotDeck or Paintable?
Paintable is rated higher. ShotDeck averages 3.2 out of 5 from 46 ratings, while Paintable averages 4.7 from 18 ratings.
Do ShotDeck or Paintable have ads?
Neither ShotDeck nor Paintable shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ShotDeck or Paintable?
ShotDeck ships an update every 2 weeks, and Paintable weekly. Most recently, ShotDeck was updated on November 3, 2026 and Paintable on October 30, 2026.

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