Comparison

Tracer vs Lightbox Trace

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

Head to head
About

Tracer

Transform your phone into a digital tracing tool to practice drawing and recreate images. Import photos, adjust opacity, and trace directly onto paper. Features step-by-step tutorials to help beginners learn drawing.

Highlights
  • Import images from photo library or camera
  • Adjust image opacity for tracing
  • Trace directly onto paper
  • Step-by-step drawing tutorials
  • Practice tracing characters, logos, and sketches
Features
Read full description

Tracer turns your phone into a digital tracing tool that helps you practice drawing and recreate images step by step. Import any image, adjust its opacity, place your phone over paper, and trace the lines to create your own drawings. Whether you're a beginner or just want to improve your sketching skills, Tracer makes drawing easier and more fun. Create Your Own Projects Import any image from your photo library or capture one with your camera. Adjust the image opacity and trace it directly on paper to recreate drawings. Tracer includes built-in project management to organize and manage your work: • Create and manage multiple drawing projects • Keep your imported images and sketches organized per project • Easily switch between ongoing projects without losing progress Tracer also includes two modes to fit different workflows: • Classic Mode – a simple and focused tracing experience • AR Mode – overlay images in real-world space for more accurate tracing Advanced tools to improve your tracing sessions: • Zoom to focus on details and extend image reach • 0.5x zoom for a wider field of view • Flashlight option for low-light drawing sessions • Smart alignment for better positioning accuracy • Grid overlays to help structure and align your drawings Perfect for tracing: • Characters • Illustrations • Logos • Tattoos • Sketches • Any image you want to learn to draw Learn With Step-by-Step Guides Use the Learn tab to follow ready-made tutorials. Each guide breaks down drawings into simple steps so you can understand how they are built from basic shapes to finished sketches. Great for beginners who want to start drawing. Support: support@pullapps.app Privacy Policy: https://pullapps.app/privacy-policy-tracer Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Lightbox Trace

Transform your device into a portable tracing pad. Easily trace images, practice sketching, and improve your drawing skills with a digital lightbox and projector. Offers over 300 templates for inspiration and guided practice.

Highlights
  • Digital lightbox for tracing
  • Easy image tracing
  • Drawing projector tools
  • 300+ practice templates
  • Grid projector overlay
  • Convert photos to line art
  • Lock screen while drawing
Features
Read full description

Lightbox Tracing tool is an easy to use drawing and image tracing app that transforms your phone or tablet into a portable lightbox and tracing pad. Whether you want to trace on paper, practice sketching, or improve your pencil drawing skills, the app gives you a simple and accurate way to create artwork anywhere. Use your device like a digital drawing projector to follow outlines, copy images, and sketch with confidence. From beginners learning the basics to experienced artists working on detailed designs, Lightbox Draw helps make drawing more enjoyable, creative, and precise. With powerful image tracing tools and a smooth tracing experience, Lightbox Draw makes it easy to practice daily drawing exercises or work on detailed art projects. The built-in drawing projector and grid projector features help you trace more accurately and improve proportions while drawing. The app includes over 300+ ready-to-use drawing templates for daily practice and creative inspiration. Explore categories like anime, portraits, flowers, animals, tattoos, cartoons, calligraphy, and more. Main Features: ▶ Digital Lightbox Turn your screen into a bright and stable lightbox for tracing and sketching directly on paper. ▶ Easy Image Tracing Import any image from your gallery and start image tracing in just a few seconds with smooth controls and accurate positioning. ▶ Drawing Projector Tools Use your phone or tablet as a simple drawing projector to create outlines, sketches, and detailed artwork with confidence. ▶ 300+ Practice Templates Choose from a large collection of templates designed to help improve drawing techniques, tracing skills, and pencil control. ▶ Grid Projector Overlay Enable an adjustable grid projector for better proportions, positioning, and tracing accuracy while sketching. ▶ Convert Photos to Line Art Transform pictures into clean outlines that are easier to trace and draw using advanced image tracing tools. ▶ Lock Screen While Drawing Keep your image steady while tracing without accidental movement or touch interruptions. ▶ Precision Adjustment Controls Move, resize, rotate, and align images exactly the way you want before you begin. ▶ Smooth Tracing Experience Designed to make tracing on paper feel natural and comfortable for both beginners and experienced artists. How It Works: • Select a template or upload your own image. • Adjust the image to fit your paper and drawing style. • Use the grid projector if needed for extra accuracy. • Lock the screen position. • Place paper over your device. • Trace every detail with your pencil using smooth, PRO-level precision. Great For: • Learning how to draw • Pencil sketch practice • Image tracing and outlining • Tattoo and stencil design • Calligraphy exercises • DIY art and craft projects • Using a digital lightbox for tracing • Artists, students, and hobby creators Lightbox Draw combines the convenience of a tracing pad with powerful lightbox and drawing projector features in one simple app. Whether you are practicing image tracing, creating detailed sketches, or using the grid projector for better accuracy, Lightbox Draw helps you draw naturally and improve your artistic skills at your own pace. Download Lightbox Draw today and start bringing your ideas to life. Privacy Policy - https://lightboxtool.com/#/privacy-policy Terms of Conditions - https://lightboxtool.com/#/terms-of-use Contact - Hej@dybtgodnat.dk

Screenshots

Tracer4 screens
Lightbox Trace4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: Lightbox Trace at free with in-app purchases against Tracer's subscription. Lightbox Trace also leads on iOS requirement (15.6 vs 26.0). Tracer's advantage is rating (4.6 vs 4.1) and ratings volume (112 vs 7). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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. Tracer sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days and Lightbox Trace sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Tracer holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Tracer has 112 ratings behind it against 7, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Tracer ships an update every 10 days, Lightbox Trace every 11 days. The most recent releases landed on October 31, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Tracer versus Lightbox Trace: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTracerLightbox Trace
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (112 ratings) — better4.1 (7 ratings)
Positive reviews68.8% of reviews—
Number of ratings112 — better7
Update frequencyEvery 10 days — betterEvery 11 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationSubscriptionFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS26.015.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size48 MB112 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPull AppsWebdwarf

Customer experience

Tracer

All ratings110 ratings
Positive90.0%
Neutral4.5%
Negative5.5%
Written reviews16 reviews
Positive68.8%
Neutral6.3%
Negative25.0%

Lightbox Trace

All ratings5 ratings
Positive80.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative20.0%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Tracer

Subscriptions2
  • Weekly$3.997 Days
  • Yearly7 Days trial$49.991 Year
3 purchases

Lightbox Trace

Subscriptions3
  • LightBox Weekly3 Days trial$9.997 Days
  • LightBox Yearly$39.991 Year
  • LightBox Discount Yearly1 Year trial$39.991 Year

Questions

Is Tracer free?
Tracer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Lightbox Trace free?
Lightbox Trace is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Tracer or Lightbox Trace?
Tracer is rated higher. Tracer averages 4.6 out of 5 from 112 ratings, while Lightbox Trace averages 4.1 from 7 ratings.
Do Tracer or Lightbox Trace have ads?
Neither Tracer nor Lightbox Trace shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Tracer or Lightbox Trace?
Tracer ships an update every 10 days, and Lightbox Trace every 11 days. Most recently, Tracer was updated on October 31, 2026 and Lightbox Trace on October 24, 2026.

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