Dot Style vs Atkinson
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Dot Style
Transform your photos into a retro pixel art style with this easy-to-use application. Adjust the pixel level for unique visual effects and save your creations. Access your camera or photo album to get started.
- Convert photos to pixel art
- Adjustable pixel level
- Camera and photo album access
- Easy to use interface
- Save pixel art creations
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This app will convert your favorite photos to pixel arts style! It is very fun, and if you want retro photos, you should get this one! *** Features **** - Quickly convert to pixel arts! - Smooth/visual adjustments for the pixel level! - Access to camera/photo album! - Super Easy to Use! *** How to use it *** 1. You can choose photo album or using camera. 2. When you choose/take a photo, it will be read, and the converting button will be enabled. 3. If you tap the convert button, pixel arts will be made in a few seconds, then you can check the pixel level using a slider. 4. Of course, you can save the photo on the screen if you want.
Atkinson
This app processes photos using the Atkinson dithering algorithm, originally used for black and white displays on old Macintosh computers. It creates small file-sized images with options for square cropping, rounded corners, and white borders, offering a real-time preview of the effect.
- Atkinson dithering algorithm processing
- Square photo output
- Toggleable rounded corners
- White border option
- Real-time preview
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Transform your photos with the iconic Atkinson dithering algorithm — the same technique used on the original Macintosh by Bill Atkinson. Create stunning retro-style images with a single tap. # What is Atkinson Dithering? Atkinson dithering was the algorithm behind the classic 1-bit graphics of early Macintosh computers. It converts photos i nto beautiful two-tone pixel patterns, producing images with a distinctive vintage charm and remarkably small file sizes. # Features - Real-time Atkinson dithering preview through your camera - 7 retro-tech color palettes: Terminal Green, Amber Monitor, Original Macintosh, Game Boy, Apple II Green, White Phospho r, and classic black & white - 5 iconic frames inspired by computing history: MacPaint, Classic Mac window, Terminal, White Frame, and frameless - Adjustable brightness control - Rounded corner option - Square photo output optimized for social media - Lightweight PNG output with tiny file sizes # Color Palettes Go beyond black and white. Choose from color palettes inspired by legendary displays — the green glow of VT100 terminals, the warm amber of IBM monitors, the creamy screen of the original Macintosh, and more. # Retro Frames Wrap your dithered photos in frames inspired by classic software. The MacPaint frame features pixel-perfect tool palettes and menu bars, just like Bill Atkinson's legendary paint program. The Classic Mac frame recreates the iconic window chrome of early Macintosh. # Perfect for - Retro and vintage photo enthusiasts - Pixel art lovers - Social media posts with a unique aesthetic - Anyone who appreciates the beauty of 1-bit graphics
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Atkinson at 3.3 against Dot Style's 2.5. Atkinson also leads on review sentiment (71% vs 37%) and update cadence (monthly vs every 4 months). 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
Both are free to download. Dot Style sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Atkinson sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Atkinson holds the better App Store score, 3.3 against 2.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 16 and 6 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 37% of Dot Style's written reviews are positive against 71% of Atkinson's.
Dot Style ships an update every 4 months, Atkinson monthly. The most recent releases landed on June 6, 2026 and June 5, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Dot Style | Atkinson |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 2.5 (16 ratings) | 3.3 (6 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 36.8% of reviews | 71.4% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 16 — better | 6 |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | Monthly — better |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 — better | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 4 MB | 19 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | yukihiro fujita | Tsutomu Koyachi |
Customer experience
Dot Style
Atkinson
In-app purchases
Dot Style
- [ Add Pixel of circles! ] new pixel type will be added.$0.99
Atkinson
- Standard Month$0.991 Month
- Standard Year$9.991 Year
