Comparison

PrintLapse vs TraceBin

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

Head to head
About

PrintLapse

This app captures timelapses of your 3D prints by listening for beep sounds from your printer. It automatically takes snapshots at each layer change, storing them on your device for easy compilation and viewing.

Highlights
  • Capture 3D print timelapses
  • Detects layer changes via printer beeps
  • Automatic snapshot capture
  • Smart rotation for viewing
  • Background noise differentiation
  • Image storage on device
Features
Read full description

Capture timelapses of your 3D prints using just your phone. How It Works: PrintLapse cleverly utilizes your mobile device's microphone to detect specific beep sounds emitted by your 3D printer. Each beep, signaling a layer change, prompts the app to capture a snapshot. Ease of Use: 1. Download PrintLapse and tailor your 3D printer's slicer software to emit a beep at each layer change. 2. Open PrintLapse and let it learn the beep sound. 3. Hit "START CAPTURE" and watch as the app seamlessly records each stage of your print. Features & Benefits: - Smart rotation for hassle-free viewing in any orientation. - Background noise differentiation to ensure the app focuses solely on your printer's beeps. - Storage of images on your device for easy access and compilation. Get Started Today: For a detailed step-by-step guide on optimizing your PrintLapse experience, visit https://shiningmuffin.com/projects/printlapse/

About

TraceBin

Instantly create custom 3D printable bins for your tools by simply taking a photo. The app automatically designs a perfectly fitting Gridfinity bin, allowing for adjustable dimensions and features like finger notches. Export your designs as STL files for immediate use with your 3D printer.

Highlights
  • Photo-to-bin generation
  • Adjustable clearance and height
  • Finger notch customization
  • 3D preview and STL export
  • Flat insert mode
  • Built-in test coupon
Features
Read full description

Lay a tool on a sheet of paper, take one photo, and TraceBin builds a Gridfinity bin with a pocket shaped like your tool. Adjust clearance and height, add a finger notch, inspect the 3D preview, and share an STL with your slicer. Processing happens on your iPhone, with no account or upload. - Works with US Letter or A4 paper as the scale reference. No calibration card or marker sheet. - Adjustable clearance and bin height, with pocket-depth options. - Add one circular finger notch per Gridfinity bin. Position it in a full-screen editor with zoom and fine-position controls. - Flat insert mode makes a shadow-board insert for your drawer. Finger notches are available for Gridfinity bins only. - Export binary STL for your slicer. - History keeps exported bins so you can share them again. Save notch edits to existing bins with Done. - Use the built-in test coupon to check clearance for your printer. One tool per photo. Gridfinity bins use a 42 mm grid and 7 mm height units. No account, analytics, subscription, in-app purchases, or ads. This release remains free.

Screenshots

PrintLapse3 screens
TraceBin4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: TraceBin at Free against PrintLapse's $2.99. TraceBin also leads on rating (5.0 vs 1.0). PrintLapse's advantage is device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 17.0). On ratings volume, update cadence, 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

TraceBin is free to download; PrintLapse costs $2.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

TraceBin holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 1.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 1 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PrintLapse ships an update weekly, TraceBin every 8 days. Both last shipped on October 23, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 4 level
PrintLapse versus TraceBin: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPrintLapseTraceBin
Price$2.99Free — better
Rating1.0 (1 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Number of ratings11
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 8 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS12.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size61 MB1 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperShining Muffin LLCJesse Ariss

In-app purchases

None

PrintLapse

No in-app purchases

None

TraceBin

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is PrintLapse free?
PrintLapse costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is TraceBin free?
TraceBin is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, PrintLapse or TraceBin?
TraceBin is rated higher. PrintLapse averages 1.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while TraceBin averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do PrintLapse or TraceBin have ads?
Neither PrintLapse nor TraceBin shows ads.
Which is updated more often, PrintLapse or TraceBin?
PrintLapse ships an update weekly, and TraceBin every 8 days. Most recently, PrintLapse was updated on October 23, 2026 and TraceBin on October 23, 2026.

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