Comparison

Core Image Toy vs Appstead

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

Head to head
About

Core Image Toy

Explore and learn Core Image filters by chaining them together in any order. Add your own images to experiment with different filter combinations and discover how to enhance your photos.

Highlights
  • Chain Core Image filters
  • Add custom images
  • Experiment with filter order
  • Discover photo enhancement techniques
  • Learn Core Image filters
Features
Read full description

CoreImageToy is the app I needed last week, when I wanted to learn how to use Core Image filters. Add your own images to the app, and chain together Core Image filters in any order to discover how to make the photos in your app look great.

About

Appstead

This app provides indie developers with a private dashboard to track app performance, including downloads, revenue, subscriptions, and reviews. It connects directly to App Store Connect, keeping your data secure and accessible from your iPhone and iPad.

Highlights
  • Track downloads, proceeds, and subscriptions
  • Monitor reviews and ratings
  • Manage multiple App Store Connect accounts
  • Home Screen widgets
  • Multi-currency support
  • Direct App Store Connect API integration
Features
Read full description

Appstead is a private App Store dashboard for indie developers. Track downloads, proceeds, subscriptions, reviews, trends, payouts, and widgets for every app you ship, right from your iPhone and iPad. Connect your App Store Connect API key and see your whole business in one place. No Appstead account. No third-party server holding your sales data. BUILT FOR INDIE DEVELOPERS • Try every screen first with the built-in demo workspace • Track one app or your full portfolio • Manage multiple App Store Connect accounts with isolated workspaces • Keep client accounts separate from your own apps TODAY DASHBOARD • Yesterday’s downloads, proceeds, and revenue movement • 7-day and 30-day performance summaries • Top apps, top markets, and portfolio snapshots • What Changed feed for new reviews, rating shifts, and sales movement TRENDS AND SUBSCRIPTIONS • Track downloads, proceeds, subscriptions, MRR, trials, and churn • Compare apps side by side • Break results down by country and device • Scrub charts for exact daily values • View 12-month app history REVIEWS INBOX • Read every App Store review in one place • Filter by app, star rating, country, or date • Translate reviews on device • Share polished review cards MULTI-CURRENCY SUPPORT • View proceeds in your preferred currency • See country and market performance clearly • Keep international sales easier to understand WIDGETS AND DIGESTS • Home Screen widgets for portfolio and app performance • Daily downloads digest • Weekly app summaries • Payday reminders for estimated Apple payout dates • Siri and Spotlight shortcuts PRIVACY FIRST • Connects directly to App Store Connect • No Appstead server stores your business data • API credentials stay in Keychain • Credentials can sync with iCloud Keychain • Export your data to CSV anytime TO GET STARTED 1. Create an App Store Connect API key with the Sales and Reports role 2. Enter your API key details in Appstead 3. Save your workspace and start tracking your apps with Appstead Pro APPSTEAD PRO Appstead Pro unlocks live workspaces and refreshing real App Store data. The annual plan includes a free trial. Built for indie developers by an indie developer. Also useful for small studios, client work, and anyone who manages App Store apps without wanting to live in App Store Connect. Appstead is not an ASO or keyword-ranking tool. It is your private App Store business dashboard. Appstead requires an App Store Connect API key and is not affiliated with Apple. Need support or have feedback? https://tally.so/r/2EkrgA Privacy Policy https://appstead.app/privacy-policy Terms of Use https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Core Image Toy4 screens
Appstead4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Core Image Toy at none against Appstead's 3. Core Image Toy also leads on iOS requirement (17.2 vs 26.0). Appstead's advantage is update cadence (every 3 days vs every 10 days). On price, review sentiment, ads 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Appstead sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Core Image Toy asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Core Image Toy ships an update every 10 days, Appstead every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on November 4, 2026 and November 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Core Image Toy versus Appstead: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCore Image ToyAppstead
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (6 ratings) — better
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—6 — better
Update frequencyEvery 10 daysEvery 3 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFreemium
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS17.2 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size3 MB43 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJacob BartlettSEOU B HOUNKANRIN

Customer experience

Core Image Toy

Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Appstead

All ratings6 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Core Image Toy

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

Appstead

Subscriptions2
  • Pro Monthly$4.991 Month
  • Pro Annual7 Days trial$39.991 Year
One-time1
  • Pro Lifetime$59.99

Questions

Is Core Image Toy free?
Core Image Toy is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Appstead free?
Appstead is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Core Image Toy or Appstead have ads?
Neither Core Image Toy nor Appstead shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Core Image Toy or Appstead?
Core Image Toy ships an update every 10 days, and Appstead every 3 days. Most recently, Core Image Toy was updated on November 4, 2026 and Appstead on November 10, 2026.

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