# HyperRef vs Color Archive

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | HyperRef | Color Archive |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hyperref/id6743102705/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **3** | — |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 12 MB | 1 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.6 | **17.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac | iPhone, iPad, Mac |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Seth Kenneth Berggren](https://appshunter.io/developer/1801346715) | [Colin Wright](https://appshunter.io/developer/1814828139) |

## What reviewers say

### HyperRef

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hyperref/id6743102705)

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.

**Highlights:** 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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| HyperRef Pro | $4.99 | one-time |


### Color Archive

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/color-archive/id6748325256)

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Unlock Pro | $4.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is HyperRef free?

HyperRef is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Color Archive free?

Color Archive is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do HyperRef or Color Archive have ads?

Neither HyperRef nor Color Archive shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, HyperRef or Color Archive?

HyperRef ships an update every 2 months, and Color Archive every 2 months. Most recently, HyperRef was updated on October 3, 2026 and Color Archive on October 12, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*