Comparison

Lightbox draw vs PaperTrace Light Table

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

Head to head
About

Lightbox draw

Transform your device into a tracing tool. Easily import or select images, convert them to line art, and overlay a grid for precise drawing on paper. Ideal for artists, students, and crafters.

Highlights
  • Trace any image
  • Outline conversion
  • Lock display
  • Overlay grid
  • Import custom photos
  • Predefined image library
Features
Read full description

Turn your phone or tablet into a powerful lightbox and tracing tool with Lightbox Draw! Effortlessly trace any image onto paper with the ultimate drawing aid app for artists, students, designers, and hobbyists. Features: • Trace Any Image: Import your own photos or choose from a library of predefined images to draw. • Lock Display: Keep your image steady on the screen to prevent accidental movement while tracing. • Outline Conversion: Instantly convert photos to clear line art for easier and more precise tracing. • Overlay Grid: Activate a customizable grid to help position images and draw with pinpoint accuracy. How it works: Select or import an image to trace. Adjust and position the image to fit your needs. Lock the display to prevent accidental touch interference. Place a sheet of paper over your device’s screen. See the image shine through the paper and start drawing with confidence and accuracy! Perfect for: Sketch artists and illustrators Calligraphy and handwriting practice Learning to draw and improving art skills Stencil creation and pattern making DIY projects and crafts Lightbox Draw - Tracing Paper is designed to be intuitively simple yet packed with advanced features that elevate your drawing and tracing experience. Whether you’re a beginner looking to improve your drawing skills or a seasoned artist needing a reliable tracing app, Lightbox Draw is your go-to tool for all your creative projects. Download Lightbox Draw - Tracing Paper now and unlock your creative potential! By using this app, you agree to Apple's standard End User License Agreement (EULA), available here: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

PaperTrace Light Table

Features
Read full description

PaperTrace turns your iPhone or iPad into a light table. Pick a template or a photo, put a sheet on the screen, and trace. How to trace Pick a template, a photo from your library, or take a picture. Place a sheet on the screen, then tap Lock. The picture stays still, and the screen stays in that orientation. Press + or − two times on the side of the phone to open. You can also hold a corner. That works with paper still on the glass. PaperTrace remembers your last pictures. Save a drawing to keep it in History. For kids In iOS Settings, turn on Guided Access and turn Touch off. That stops the screen from reacting at all. Templates Twenty simple line drawings: animals, vehicles, nature, fantasy, and fun. Ready to trace in pencil. Your own pictures Choose from the photo library or photograph a drawing you want to trace. Brightness, contrast, outline, and invert help the picture show through the paper. Light table A blank white screen at full brightness when you only need the light. History Recent pictures stay ready. Save the ones you want to come back to. PaperTrace is free. No account, no cloud. Pictures stay on the phone.

Screenshots

Lightbox draw4 screens
PaperTrace Light Table4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: PaperTrace Light Table at none against Lightbox draw's 10. PaperTrace Light Table also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 2 days vs weekly). Lightbox draw's advantage is iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.0). On price 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. Lightbox draw sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days. PaperTrace Light Table asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Lightbox draw ships an update weekly, PaperTrace Light Table every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and October 29, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Lightbox draw versus PaperTrace Light Table: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLightbox drawPaperTrace Light Table
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (255 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews52.6% of reviews—
Number of ratings255 — better—
Update frequencyWeeklyEvery 2 days — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size99 MB2 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTry the Colors s. r. o.Michael Furø

In-app purchases

10 purchases

Lightbox draw

Subscriptions7
  • Lightbox draw Tracing Premium$3.997 Days
  • Lightbox draw Premium3 Days trial$4.997 Days
  • Lightbox draw Premium7 Days trial$9.997 Days
Show 4 more
  • Lightbox draw Premium3 Days trial$9.997 Days
  • Lightbox draw Premium$9.997 Days
  • Lightbox draw Premium$14.991 Year
  • Lightbox draw Premium$29.991 Year
One-time3
  • Lightbox draw Tracing Premium$8.99
  • Lightbox draw Premium$14.99
  • Lightbox draw Premium$29.99
None

PaperTrace Light Table

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Lightbox draw free?
Lightbox draw is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is PaperTrace Light Table free?
PaperTrace Light Table is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Lightbox draw or PaperTrace Light Table have ads?
Lightbox draw shows ads; PaperTrace Light Table does not.
Which is updated more often, Lightbox draw or PaperTrace Light Table?
Lightbox draw ships an update weekly, and PaperTrace Light Table every 2 days. Most recently, Lightbox draw was updated on October 30, 2026 and PaperTrace Light Table on October 29, 2026.

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