PrintLapse vs TraceBin
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Capture 3D print timelapses
- Detects layer changes via printer beeps
- Automatic snapshot capture
- Smart rotation for viewing
- Background noise differentiation
- Image storage on device
Read full descriptionHide 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/
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.
- Photo-to-bin generation
- Adjustable clearance and height
- Finger notch customization
- 3D preview and STL export
- Flat insert mode
- Built-in test coupon
Read full descriptionHide 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
Verdict
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
TraceBin is free to download; PrintLapse costs $2.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
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.
PrintLapse ships an update weekly, TraceBin every 8 days. Both last shipped on October 23, 2026.
| Parameter | PrintLapse | TraceBin |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 1.0 (1 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Number of ratings | 1 | 1 |
| Update frequency | Weekly — better | Every 8 days |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 61 MB | 1 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Shining Muffin LLC | Jesse Ariss |
In-app purchases
PrintLapse
No in-app purchases
TraceBin
No in-app purchases









