# HyperRef vs Artist Tools

The clearest difference is update cadence: Artist Tools at every 11 days against HyperRef's every 2 months. Artist Tools also leads on iOS requirement (16.0 vs 18.6). On price, rating, review sentiment and ratings volume there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. HyperRef sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Artist Tools sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

HyperRef holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 2 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.

HyperRef ships an update every 2 months, Artist Tools every 11 days. The most recent releases landed on October 3, 2026 and September 29, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | HyperRef | Artist Tools |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hyperref/id6743102705/reviews)** | [4.5 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/artist-tools/id6756378078/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **3** | 2 |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 11 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Freemium |
| Size | 12 MB | 34 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.6 | **16.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Mac** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Seth Kenneth Berggren](https://appshunter.io/developer/1801346715) | [Hessam Emami](https://appshunter.io/developer/1860351783) |

## 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 |


### Artist Tools

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/artist-tools/id6756378078)

This app provides objective tools to analyze reference images for drawing. It helps artists improve tonal accuracy, check proportions, and understand value structures using traditional art school techniques. Features include value studies, color simplification, and various drawing guides.

**Highlights:** Value study analysis, Color simplification, Black mirror tool, Invert and flip reference, Line and plumb line guides, Grid overlay (rule of thirds, golden ratio), Offline functionality

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium Subscription | $1.99 | per month |
| Monthly Premium - Promo | $2.99 | per month |
| Yearly Subscription - Promo | $24.99 | per year |
| Unlock Full App | $8.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is HyperRef free?

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

### Is Artist Tools free?

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

### Which has better reviews, HyperRef or Artist Tools?

HyperRef is rated higher. HyperRef averages 4.7 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while Artist Tools averages 4.5 from 2 ratings.

### Do HyperRef or Artist Tools have ads?

Neither HyperRef nor Artist Tools shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, HyperRef or Artist Tools?

HyperRef ships an update every 2 months, and Artist Tools every 11 days. Most recently, HyperRef was updated on October 3, 2026 and Artist Tools on September 29, 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.*