Comparison

Tracer vs SketchSurf

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

SketchSurf

Transform your photos into easy-to-follow, step-by-step drawing guides. Break down complex images into manageable stages to learn and improve your sketching skills. Save your progress and revisit your drawing projects anytime.

Highlights
  • Photo to drawing guide conversion
  • Multi-stage drawing breakdown
  • Outline, structure, and detail stages
  • Save and revisit drawing projects
  • Adjustable drawing projects per subscription
Features
Read full description

Turn any photo into a drawing you can actually follow. SketchSurf makes drawing easier by transforming your photos into clear, step-by-step visual guides. Instead of staring at a finished image and wondering where to begin, SketchSurf breaks the drawing process into manageable stages that help you understand the shapes, structure, details, and final sketch. Whether you're learning to draw or simply want a better way to sketch the photos you love, SketchSurf gives you a visual path from the original image to the finished drawing. HOW IT WORKS Choose a photo and SketchSurf creates a multi-stage drawing guide: • Outline — See the essential shapes and contours • Structure — Understand how the major parts fit together • Detailed — Add the features that bring the drawing to life • Finished — See the complete pencil-style drawing Zoom in and use each stage as a reference while you draw at your own pace. YOUR DRAWINGS, SAVED SketchSurf automatically keeps your generated drawing guides in My Drawings, so you can return to them whenever you want to practice or continue a sketch. DRAW MORE WITH SKETCHSURF PLUS & PRO Choose the plan that fits how often you draw: • SketchSurf Plus — 15 drawing projects per subscription period • SketchSurf Pro — 40 drawing projects per subscription period Each project creates the complete multi-stage drawing guide for one photo. You don't have to be great at drawing to start. Pick a photo, follow the stages, and start sketching with SketchSurf. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Tracer4 screens
SketchSurf1 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: SketchSurf at free with in-app purchases against Tracer's subscription. SketchSurf also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.6). Tracer's advantage is ratings volume (103 vs 3). On price, ads, in-app purchases and 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

Both are free to download. Tracer sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days and SketchSurf sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

SketchSurf holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Tracer has 103 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Tracer versus SketchSurf: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTracerSketchSurf
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (103 ratings)5.0 (3 ratings) — better
Positive reviews68.8% of reviews—
Number of ratings103 — better3
Update frequencyEvery 10 days—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationSubscriptionFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS26.0 — better26.5
Further details — not scored
Size47 MB9 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPull AppsFrederick Schmitz

Customer experience

Tracer

All ratings103 ratings
Positive89.3%
Neutral4.9%
Negative5.8%
Written reviews16 reviews
Positive68.8%
Neutral6.3%
Negative25.0%

SketchSurf

All ratings3 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Tracer

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

SketchSurf

Subscriptions2
  • SketchSurf Plus$4.991 Month
  • SketchSurf Pro$9.991 Month

Questions

Is Tracer free?
Tracer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is SketchSurf free?
SketchSurf is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Tracer or SketchSurf?
SketchSurf is rated higher. Tracer averages 4.6 out of 5 from 103 ratings, while SketchSurf averages 5.0 from 3 ratings.
Do Tracer or SketchSurf have ads?
Neither Tracer nor SketchSurf shows ads.

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