DarkRef vs Masters Eye
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
DarkRef
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.
- Unlimited boards and images
- Image and GIF support
- Notes and annotations
- Folder organization
- Offline access
- Cross-device sync
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Your own library of art references, organised and on all your devices. DarkRef is a powerful reference board designed for digital artists. Organize your inspiration with images, GIFs, notes, videos and folders; all in one beautiful, minimalist library and use canvases to plan your next big artwork. 100% FREE TO USE All core features are completely free including your reference library, automatic image tagging, canvases and more. Create unlimited boards, add unlimited images and GIFs, take notes, and organize with folders. The only features requiring a paid plan are for syncing your files across devices and for live collaboration boards where you can work with your team together on a shared board. All the core features are completely free. WORKS OFFLINE All your references are stored locally on your device. Work anywhere, even without internet. With a DarkRef paid plan, your changes sync automatically when you're back online. WHY DARKREF? Unlike other reference board apps, DarkRef truly works everywhere. Whether you're sketching on your iPad at a coffee shop, at the office on your Mac or working at home, your references are always with you. Perfect for: • Digital artists and illustrators • Concept artists • Character designers • Environment artists • Animators • Game artists • Anyone who needs organized visual references Download DarkRef for free today and never lose track of your inspiration again.
Masters Eye
This reference study app helps artists improve their drawing and painting by simplifying visual information. It offers various study modes to analyze values, proportions, and composition, aiding in better artistic decision-making.
- Purpose-built Study Modes (Values, Squint, Pencil, Notan, Proportions)
- Import reference photos
- Fast mode switching for drills
- Split and compare workflow
- Save results to Photos library
- On-device image processing
- No accounts or ad tracking
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Masters Eye is a focused reference study app for artists who want to draw and paint with stronger structure, clearer values, and better decision making. One-time purchase. No subscription. Import a reference photo and switch through purpose-built Study Modes to simplify what you see: • Values: Group complex references into readable value masses • Squint: Reduce visual noise to see big relationships faster • Pencil: Translate references into practical tonal steps • Notan: Test light/shadow design and composition clarity • Proportions: Check alignment, spacing, and shape relationships • Original: Instantly compare against the untouched reference Built for deliberate practice, not distraction: • Fast mode switching for targeted observation drills • Split and compare workflow for quick visual checks • Save results to your Photos library when you choose Privacy-first by design: • Image processing happens on-device • No accounts required • No ad tracking Whether you’re studying portraits, still life, or landscapes, Master’s Eye helps you simplify references and make better artistic decisions with confidence.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: DarkRef at Free against Masters Eye's $3.99. DarkRef also leads on ratings volume (4 vs 1) and device support (4 vs 1). Masters Eye's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 2.8) and in-app purchases (none vs 2). On 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
DarkRef is free to download; Masters Eye costs $3.99 up front. DarkRef sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Masters Eye asks for nothing beyond the download.
Masters Eye holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 2.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 4 and 1 respectively.
DarkRef ships an update every 3 weeks, Masters Eye every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on September 28, 2026 and October 11, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | DarkRef | Masters Eye |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $3.99 |
| Rating | 2.8 (4 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 25.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 4 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Every 2 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Freemium — better | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 62 MB | 2 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Timothy Patrick Dommett | Jonathan Brodish |
Customer experience
DarkRef
Masters Eye
In-app purchases
DarkRef
- Sync Monthly1 Month trial$1.991 Month
- Sync Annual$9.991 Year
Masters Eye
No in-app purchases









