Comparison

Underlayer vs PaintGenius

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

Head to head
About

Underlayer

Features
Read full description

UNDERLAYER - STEGANOGRAPHY MADE SIMPLE Transform ordinary images into secret carriers. Hide confidential messages invisibly within photos and share them through any messenger without raising suspicion. KEY FEATURES: HIDE SECRETS • Embed text messages invisibly into any image • Two encoding modes: Hidden (invisible pixels) and Open (colored frame) • Open mode survives messenger compression (Telegram, WhatsApp, etc.) • Share processed images directly or save to gallery REVEAL MESSAGES • Extract hidden text from steganographic images • Automatic detection of encoding method • Works with images received through messengers • Share intent support - open images directly from gallery WHY UNDERLAYER? • Simple & Intuitive - No cryptography knowledge required • Messenger-Friendly - Open mode designed for compressed sharing • Privacy First - All processing happens locally on your device • Universal - Works with JPG, PNG, WebP formats • No Account Required - Start using immediately USE CASES • Private communication through public channels • Watermarking images with hidden ownership data • Secure note-taking in plain sight • Educational tool for learning steganography • Fun way to send secret messages to friends SECURITY & PRIVACY • No internet connection required for processing • Your messages never leave your device • No data collection or tracking • Complete control over your secrets PREMIUM FEATURES • No banner ads at the bottom • No interstitial ad interruptions • Process unlimited images without ad breaks HOW IT WORKS 1. Select any image from your gallery 2. Enter your secret message 3. Choose encoding mode (Hidden or Open) 4. App embeds message into image pixels 5. Share through messengers or save locally 6. Recipient opens image in Underlayer to reveal message ENCODING MODES EXPLAINED HIDDEN MODE • Message embedded invisibly in image pixels • Completely undetectable to human eye • Best for uncompressed image sharing • Lost when image is compressed by messengers OPEN MODE • Message encoded as colored frame border • Visible as decorative edge around image • Survives Telegram, WhatsApp compression • Recommended for messenger sharing INTERNATIONAL • Available in English and Russian • More languages coming soon • Automatic language detection Whether you're a privacy enthusiast, security professional, or just curious about steganography - Underlayer makes it accessible to everyone. Download now and start hiding your secrets in plain sight! Terms of use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

PaintGenius

This professional tool assists in matching paint colors for general and automotive applications. It calculates precise paint recipes using advanced algorithms and provides a guided verification workflow for accurate results. The app ensures optimal color matching by analyzing source colors and suggesting ideal palettes.

Highlights
  • Advanced recipe calculation (CMY & Kubelka-Munk)
  • Iterative optimization for color accuracy
  • Intelligent source color analysis and recommendations
  • Support for 2-stage and 3-stage automotive paints
  • Multi-angle sampling for metallic/pearl paints
  • Recipe library with volume calculator
  • Step-by-step verification workflow
Features
Read full description

PaintGenius is a professional tool for general and automotive paint color matching. It supports source color management, target color setting, recipe calculation, and a comprehensive verification workflow. Key Features: - Advanced Recipe Calculation: Utilizes two distinct algorithms for precision. For general paints, a CMY-based subtractive mixing model is used. For complex automotive finishes, it employs the powerful Kubelka-Munk (K-M) theory, which simulates light absorption and scattering for superior accuracy with multi-layer and effect paints. - Iterative Optimization: A sophisticated iterative algorithm fine-tunes the paint ratios by minimizing the color difference (ΔE2000) between the mix and the target, ensuring the best possible match. - Intelligent Source Analysis: The app analyzes the quality of your source colors, assessing their contribution and effectiveness. When color difference exceeds the threshold (ΔE > 10), it blocks verification and provides smart recommendations for source color replacement. - Ideal Source Recommendation: If a good match is not possible with the current palette, the app leverages LCH color space principles to suggest an ideal set of source colors that will provide maximum mixing coverage around your target. - Advanced Settings: Fine-tune algorithm parameters including color difference thresholds, layer thickness, iteration counts, and step sizes to match your specific needs and expertise level. - General & Automotive Paint Matching: Create recipes for wall paint, furniture paint, and complex automotive paints with intelligent workflow selection. - Advanced Automotive Support: Supports 2-stage (base + clear) and 3-stage (base + effect + clear) systems for metallic and pearl paints, with automatic fallback to simpler systems when source colors are insufficient. - Multi-Angle Sampling: Capture color accurately for metallic/pearl paints at different angles (15°, 45°, 110°) to account for angle-dependent color shifts. - Smart Adjustment Suggestions: Only displays adjustment recommendations when color difference exceeds the threshold (ΔE > 2.0), avoiding unnecessary adjustments for excellent matches. - Recipe Library with Calculator: Save and manage your paint recipes with a built-in volume calculator that lets you scale recipes to any desired total volume. - Step-by-Step Verification: A guided workflow to verify and fine-tune your paint recipes for a perfect match, with automatic quality assessment. - Privacy-Focused: All your data is stored locally on your device. We do not collect any user data.

Screenshots

Underlayer4 screens
PaintGenius4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Underlayer at Free against PaintGenius's $3.99. Underlayer also leads on iOS requirement (15.1 vs 17.6). PaintGenius's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ads (none vs shown). On 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

Underlayer is free to download; PaintGenius costs $3.99 up front. Underlayer sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $2.99 per 7 days. PaintGenius asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Underlayer ships an update every 5 months, PaintGenius every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 3 level
Underlayer versus PaintGenius: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterUnderlayerPaintGenius
PriceFree — better$3.99
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Update frequencyEvery 5 monthsEvery 5 weeks — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
Monetization—Paid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.1 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size169 MB5 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMihail Rukavishnikov秀银 林

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Underlayer

Subscriptions1
  • Premium$2.997 Days
None

PaintGenius

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Underlayer free?
Underlayer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is PaintGenius free?
PaintGenius costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do Underlayer or PaintGenius have ads?
Underlayer shows ads; PaintGenius does not.
Which is updated more often, Underlayer or PaintGenius?
Underlayer ships an update every 5 months, and PaintGenius every 5 weeks. Most recently, Underlayer was updated on October 16, 2026 and PaintGenius on October 7, 2026.

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