Pixelux vs Tracer
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Pixelux
This app combines AI-powered idea generation, AR tracing of references, and AI-assisted editing for artists. Project your creations into the real world to visualize them at scale before committing to physical artwork.
- AI-generated drawing ideas
- AR projection of references
- AI-assisted artwork editing
- Scan and edit physical art
- Visualize finished art in AR
- 30+ brushes and layer support
- Full color suite
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Pixelux is the only AR studio that combines AI inspiration, AR tracing, and AI-assisted editing in one place. Every other AR art app does one thing. Pixelux does everything. Not sure what to draw? Let AI generate ideas on the spot. Pick one, project it into the real world through your camera, and start creating. No blank page, no frustration. Already have a subject in mind? Place any reference directly onto your canvas with AR and trace over it at any scale. Whether you are sketching a portrait, studying proportions, or planning a painting, the reference moves with your surface so your hands stay free to draw. Finished a piece and want to take it further? Scan your physical artwork and use AI to test edits, refine details, and explore new directions without touching the original. Your work stays safe. Your ideas stay limitless. Pixelux also lets you place your finished art into the real world at full scale using AR, so you can see exactly how a piece looks in your space before it ever hits the wall. Under the hood you get over 30 brushes, full layer support, and a complete color suite with HSL, RGB, palettes, and custom themes. All the tools a serious artist needs, built into one app. AI tools are available with Pixelux Spark or Studio. Everything else is free. Your hand. Your vision. AI just helps. Terms of Use (EULA): By downloading and using this app, you agree to Apple's Standard Terms of Use. Please review the full Terms of Use (EULA) here: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Tracer
Transform your phone into a digital tracing tool to practice drawing and recreate images. Import photos, adjust opacity, and trace directly onto paper. Features step-by-step tutorials to help beginners learn drawing.
- Import images from photo library or camera
- Adjust image opacity for tracing
- Trace directly onto paper
- Step-by-step drawing tutorials
- Practice tracing characters, logos, and sketches
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Tracer turns your phone into a digital tracing tool that helps you practice drawing and recreate images step by step. Import any image, adjust its opacity, place your phone over paper, and trace the lines to create your own drawings. Whether you're a beginner or just want to improve your sketching skills, Tracer makes drawing easier and more fun. Create Your Own Projects Import any image from your photo library or capture one with your camera. Adjust the image opacity and trace it directly on paper to recreate drawings. Tracer includes built-in project management to organize and manage your work: • Create and manage multiple drawing projects • Keep your imported images and sketches organized per project • Easily switch between ongoing projects without losing progress Tracer also includes two modes to fit different workflows: • Classic Mode – a simple and focused tracing experience • AR Mode – overlay images in real-world space for more accurate tracing Advanced tools to improve your tracing sessions: • Zoom to focus on details and extend image reach • 0.5x zoom for a wider field of view • Flashlight option for low-light drawing sessions • Smart alignment for better positioning accuracy • Grid overlays to help structure and align your drawings Perfect for tracing: • Characters • Illustrations • Logos • Tattoos • Sketches • Any image you want to learn to draw Learn With Step-by-Step Guides Use the Learn tab to follow ready-made tutorials. Each guide breaks down drawings into simple steps so you can understand how they are built from basic shapes to finished sketches. Great for beginners who want to start drawing. Support: support@pullapps.app Privacy Policy: https://pullapps.app/privacy-policy-tracer Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is monetization model: Pixelux at freemium against Tracer's subscription. Pixelux also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 69%) and rating (5.0 vs 4.6). Tracer's advantage is update cadence (every 9 days vs every 3 weeks) and ratings volume (71 vs 9). On price, ads, in-app purchases 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
Both are free to download. Pixelux sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per 7 days and Tracer sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Pixelux holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Tracer has 71 ratings behind it against 9, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of Pixelux's written reviews are positive against 69% of Tracer's.
Pixelux ships an update every 3 weeks, Tracer every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on September 17, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Pixelux | Tracer |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (9 ratings) — better | 4.6 (71 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better | 68.8% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 9 | 71 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Every 9 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Freemium — better | Subscription |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 17.2 — better | 26.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 106 MB | 45 MB |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Cruz Cortes LLC | Pull Apps |
Customer experience
Pixelux
Tracer
In-app purchases
Pixelux
- Pixelux Spark$9.997 Days
- Pixelux Studio$19.991 Month
- Pixelux Plus$7.99
Tracer
- Weekly$3.997 Days
- Yearly7 Days trial$49.991 Year









