HyperRef vs Color Archive
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
HyperRef
Create and organize your personal art reference library with powerful import and study tools. Analyze images by value, contrast, and color, and track your artistic progress with attached studies. Secure your sensitive collections with biometric protection.
- Web import for bulk image saving
- Analyze images by value, contrast, color
- Timed practice and study modes
- Attach sketches to references
- Biometric collection protection
- Smart collections and organization
- Offline access with iCloud sync
Read full descriptionHide full description
HyperRef provides a focused, distraction-free environment with no infinite scrolling or algorithms deciding what you see. Use your own curated reference library to accelerate your drawing and painting study. Features: - Powerful Web Import: Bulk-save multiple images instantly from almost any website or app. Select exactly what you need for fast, organized importing. - Advanced Study Filters: Isolate value, contrast, and color for a deeper understanding of lighting and composition. Essential for serious art study. - Timed Practice Mode: Use customizable, distraction-free slideshows for quick figure drawing or anatomy study sessions. - Study Mode: Attach your own sketches and studies directly to reference images to track your progress over time. - Biometric Protection: Lock sensitive collections with Face ID or Touch ID for maximum privacy. - Smart Collections: Organize thousands of visual references with a gorgeous, efficient layout. - Offline First with iCloud Sync: Access your entire visual library instantly, anywhere on your iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Whether you're studying anatomy, lighting, composition, or preparing a detailed mood board, HyperRef keeps your visual library organized, secure, and always accessible. Start your reference library with 5 collections and 50 images free. Unlock unlimited storage and all Pro features with a single, one-time upgrade. No subscriptions, ever.
Color Archive
Read full descriptionHide full description
Create custom palettes for different projects, adding colors using RGB, hex codes, or the native eyedropper tool. Organize colors within their palettes, name them, and export them for use elsewhere. Color Archive is a straightforward, reliable tool built to help makers keep their aesthetics sorted with no bloat and no fluff. It's also free, with no ads or hidden fees. Features: • Create, edit, organize, and export custom color palettes • Add colors manually via hex and RGB, or visually using the eyedropper • Export palettes as PNG images, text files, CSVs, or developer-ready CSS code • Palettes and colors automatically sync between your Mac, iPhone, and iPad via iCloud • Completely free to download and use, with no ads or hidden fees
Screenshots
Verdict
HyperRef and Color Archive are too close to call on the numbers: across 6 compared parameters — price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.
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. HyperRef sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Color Archive sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 3, 2026 and October 12, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | HyperRef | Color Archive |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (3 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 3 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 2 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac | iPhone, iPad, Mac |
| Requires iOS | 18.6 | 17.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 12 MB | 1 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Seth Kenneth Berggren | Colin Wright |
In-app purchases
HyperRef
- HyperRef Pro$4.99
Color Archive
- Unlock Pro$4.99









