Comparison

Pixelux vs Tracer

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Read full description

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/

About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read full description

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

Pixelux4 screens
Tracer4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

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.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Pixelux versus Tracer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPixeluxTracer
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (9 ratings) — better4.6 (71 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better68.8% of reviews
Number of ratings971 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 9 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemium — betterSubscription
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.2 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size106 MB45 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperCruz Cortes LLCPull Apps

Customer experience

Pixelux

All ratings9 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Tracer

All ratings71 ratings
Positive90.1%
Neutral4.2%
Negative5.6%
Written reviews16 reviews
Positive68.8%
Neutral6.3%
Negative25.0%

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Pixelux

Subscriptions2
  • Pixelux Spark$9.997 Days
  • Pixelux Studio$19.991 Month
One-time1
  • Pixelux Plus$7.99
2 purchases

Tracer

Subscriptions2
  • Weekly$3.997 Days
  • Yearly7 Days trial$49.991 Year

Questions

Is Pixelux free?
Pixelux is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Tracer free?
Tracer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Pixelux or Tracer?
Pixelux is rated higher. Pixelux averages 5.0 out of 5 from 9 ratings, while Tracer averages 4.6 from 71 ratings.
Do Pixelux or Tracer have ads?
Neither Pixelux nor Tracer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Pixelux or Tracer?
Pixelux ships an update every 3 weeks, and Tracer every 9 days. Most recently, Pixelux was updated on September 17, 2026 and Tracer on September 24, 2026.

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