Comparison

SurfaBeam vs Kolaj

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

Head to head
About

SurfaBeam

Transform any surface into a dynamic display with this intuitive mobile projection mapping tool. Easily map videos, animations, and images onto real-world objects without complex desktop software. Ideal for creators, artists, and event planners seeking powerful visual effects on the go.

Highlights
  • Intuitive mobile projection mapping
  • Map videos, images, and animations
  • Advanced shape library & multi-surface mapping
  • Export maps for professional content creation
  • Precision grid warping with gesture controls
  • Real-time rendering and video sync
  • Multi-media support
Read full description

TRANSFORM REALITY WITH SURFABEAM: THE ULTIMATE PROJECTION MAPPING TOOL Turn your projector into a magic wand. SurfaBeam is the most intuitive projection mapping tool designed specifically for mobile creators, digital artists, and event planners. Whether you are a professional VJ, a creative designer, or just hosting an unforgettable house party, SurfaBeam lets you map videos, animations, and images onto any real-world surface—instantly. Forget complex desktop software, expensive media servers, and heavy hardware. SurfaBeam puts the power of a professional video mapping studio right in your pocket. Connect your device to any digital projector and start warping reality in seconds. This is Projection Mapping made easy, accessible, and powerful. EASY CONNECTION No computer needed! Connect your phone or tablet to any projector using: Wired (Recommended): Use a USB-C to HDMI or Lightning Digital AV Adapter for zero lag. Wireless: Supports AirPlay, Screen Mirroring. WORKFLOW IN 3 STEPS Notice: Advanced features listed below are available via In-App Purchase (Subscription or One-Time). Connect: Link your device to the projector. Map: Drag the on-screen grid to match your physical object (wall, box, or decor). Play: Pick a video or image and watch it warp instantly! KEY FEATURES & CAPABILITIES Advanced Shape Library & Multi-Surface Mapping New in this version! Your creativity is no longer limited to squares. Use our new Multiple Shapes tool to map complex geometries, irregular sculptures, and detailed architectural elements simultaneously. Export Maps for Professional Content Creation Bridge the gap between mobile mapping and desktop editing. Export your mapped layouts directly from SurfaBeam. Use these exports as templates in video editing software (like Adobe After Effects) to design custom content that fits your specific mapping setup perfectly. Precision Grid Warping with New Gesture Controls We have completely overhauled our touch interaction workflow. Fit your visuals perfectly to any shape with our Rebuilt Gesture System. Whether it represents a flat wall or a cylinder, our advanced mesh allows for detailed Keystone Correction and Corner Pinning. Includes a new in-app tutorial for beginners! Real-Time Rendering & Video Sync See your adjustments live! There is no rendering time. As you move the grid points, the projection updates instantly. Features a new Video Synchronization Button to ensure your loops and visuals play back smoothly without stuttering—perfect for live VJ performances. Multi-Media Support Project high-resolution videos, photos, logos, or custom graphics directly from your device's gallery. SurfaBeam handles high-quality playback for crisp, stunning visual effects with transparency control and layering. PERFECT FOR EVERY USE CASE Live Events & VJing: Elevate your DJ set. Use SurfaBeam as a mobile VJ tool to create stunning stage visuals and music visualizers that sync with the vibe , also similar to lazy lighting app. Holiday Digital Decoration: Halloween: Project singing pumpkins, spooky ghosts, or portals onto your windows. Christmas: Map animated snow and festive lights onto your tree or walls without physical wiring. Art Installations & Exhibitions: Project dynamic textures and motion graphics onto sculptures. Create immersive Augmented Reality (AR) experiences visible to the naked eye. Business & Branding Displays: Make your brand pop! Project your logo onto unique surfaces at trade shows or corporate lobbies. A projection-mapped logo grabs far more attention than a TV screen. SurfaBeam is more than just an app; it is a creative revolution. Privacy Policy: https://www.surfabeam.com/privacy Terms Of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula Quick Workflow Video: Watch here: https://youtube.com/shorts/NjB2owlqp-4?si=HZoRPMUXDV8W0w_p

About

Kolaj

Features
Read full description

Transform your photos into stunning collages with the power of AI background removal and intuitive touch controls. Kolaj is the modern collage maker that combines powerful image editing with an effortless creative experience. Whether you're designing a mood board, creating a photo montage, or crafting the perfect social media post, Kolaj gives you professional results in minutes. Key Features AI-Powered Background Removal • Remove backgrounds instantly with on-device machine learning • No cloud uploads - all processing happens privately on your device • Automatic cropping to eliminate transparent edges • Perfect cutouts for seamless compositing Intuitive Canvas Controls • Drag, rotate, and scale images with natural touch gestures • Layer up to 20 photos on a single canvas • Visual corner handles for precise resizing • Smart touch detection - only interact with visible parts of images Advanced Layer Management • Tap to move layers forward or backward one step • Long-press to instantly bring to front or send to back • Visual selection indicators show which layer is active • Haptic feedback for intuitive interaction Creative Customization • Add custom-colored borders that follow your cutout shapes • Choose from preset colors or create your own with the color picker • Customize canvas backgrounds with solid colors or transparent backgrounds • Borders automatically adapt to light or dark backgrounds Share & Export • Export high-resolution images at your device's native quality • Share directly to Messages, Instagram, Photos, and more • Exports preserve your light/dark mode preference • Perfect quality for social media or printing Perfect For • Social media content creators • Scrapbooking and memory keeping • Mood boards and vision boards • Product mockups and presentations • Creative photo projects • Birthday cards and invitations • Marketing materials • Digital art and design Privacy First All background removal and image processing happens on your device using Apple's Vision framework. Your photos never leave your phone, and no internet connection is required for editing. Modern Design • Beautiful glass-effect buttons with modern iOS styling • Full-screen immersive editing experience • Automatic light and dark mode support • Smooth animations and haptic feedback • Clean, distraction-free interface Performance • Lightning-fast on-device processing • Supports images from your entire photo library • Real-time gesture recognition and manipulation • Optimized for all iPhone models How It Works 1. Select - Pick up to 20 photos from your library 2. Edit - Backgrounds are automatically removed and images are ready to arrange 3. Design - Drag, rotate, resize, and layer your photos on the canvas 4. Customize - Add colorful borders and choose your background 5. Share - Export and share your masterpiece anywhere Start creating beautiful collages today with Kolaj!

Screenshots

SurfaBeam4 screens
Kolaj4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Kolaj at none against SurfaBeam's 4. SurfaBeam's advantage is device support (4 vs 1) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 26.0). On price and ads 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. SurfaBeam sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month. Kolaj asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
SurfaBeam versus Kolaj: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSurfaBeamKolaj
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.3 (19 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews78.4% of reviews—
Number of ratings19 — better—
Update frequencyFortnightly—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size530 MB3 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperOsman Ahsan SheikhThis or That LLC

In-app purchases

4 purchases

SurfaBeam

Subscriptions3
  • SurfaBeam Pro – Monthly$6.991 Month
  • SurfaBeam Pro – Quarterly$19.993 Months
  • SurfaBeam Pro – Yearly$49.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime Pro Access$99.99
None

Kolaj

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is SurfaBeam free?
SurfaBeam is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Kolaj free?
Kolaj is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do SurfaBeam or Kolaj have ads?
Neither SurfaBeam nor Kolaj shows ads.

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