# PG Artist's Block vs DarkRef

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: PG Artist's Block at none against DarkRef's 2. PG Artist's Block also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 3 weeks) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). DarkRef's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. DarkRef sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. PG Artist's Block asks for nothing beyond the download.

PG Artist's Block ships an update weekly, DarkRef every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 11, 2026 and September 28, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | PG Artist's Block | DarkRef |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | **[2.8 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/darkref-art-reference-board/id6757864307/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | — | **4** |
| Positive reviews | — | 25.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | — | Freemium |
| Size | 21 MB | 62 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Celtic Wards, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1219544143) | [Timothy Patrick Dommett](https://appshunter.io/developer/1869353422) |

## What reviewers say

### PG Artist's Block

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pg-artists-block/id6755746354)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### DarkRef

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/darkref-art-reference-board/id6757864307)

Organize your visual inspiration with images, GIFs, and notes. This app offers a free, intuitive platform for artists to manage references across all devices, with optional cloud sync for seamless backup and access.

**Highlights:** Unlimited boards and images, Image and GIF support, Notes and annotations, Folder organization, Offline access, Cross-device sync

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Sync Monthly | $1.99 | per month |
| Sync Annual | $9.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is PG Artist's Block free?

PG Artist's Block is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is DarkRef free?

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

### Do PG Artist's Block or DarkRef have ads?

PG Artist's Block shows ads; DarkRef does not.

### Which is updated more often, PG Artist's Block or DarkRef?

PG Artist's Block ships an update weekly, and DarkRef every 3 weeks. Most recently, PG Artist's Block was updated on October 11, 2026 and DarkRef on September 28, 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.*