# Lightbox Trace vs TraceLock

The clearest difference is rating: TraceLock at 5.0 against Lightbox Trace's 4.1. TraceLock also leads on monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). Lightbox Trace's advantage is ratings volume (7 vs 1). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Lightbox Trace sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per 7 days and TraceLock sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

TraceLock holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Lightbox Trace has 7 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Lightbox Trace ships an update every 11 days, TraceLock weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 31, 2026 and November 6, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Lightbox Trace | TraceLock |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.1 (7 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lightbox-trace-draw-on-paper/id6761619641/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tracelock-tracing-lightbox/id6816664937/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **7** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | — | 100.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 11 days | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 112 MB | 12 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.6** | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Webdwarf](https://appshunter.io/developer/1523173790) | [帅 王](https://appshunter.io/developer/1896738626) |

## What reviewers say

### Lightbox Trace

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lightbox-trace-draw-on-paper/id6761619641)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| LightBox Weekly | $9.99 | per 7 days |
| LightBox Yearly | $39.99 | per year |
| LightBox Discount Yearly | $39.99 | per year |


### TraceLock

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tracelock-tracing-lightbox/id6816664937)

Transform your device into a portable tracing lightbox. Easily convert photos to line art, adjust composition, and trace with a pencil on paper. Offers various filters, guides, and templates for artists of all levels.

**Highlights:** Full-screen touch lock, Smart line-art filters, Free composition tools, Eye-comfort backlight options, Built-in sketch templates, Showcase camera for progress, Printable practice sheets

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Vision Pro support, iPhone Duo support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Lifetime Unlock | $7.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Lightbox Trace free?

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

### Is TraceLock free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Lightbox Trace or TraceLock?

TraceLock is rated higher. Lightbox Trace averages 4.1 out of 5 from 7 ratings, while TraceLock averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do Lightbox Trace or TraceLock have ads?

Neither Lightbox Trace nor TraceLock shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Lightbox Trace or TraceLock?

Lightbox Trace ships an update every 11 days, and TraceLock weekly. Most recently, Lightbox Trace was updated on October 31, 2026 and TraceLock on November 6, 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.*