Comparison

PixelBead vs Pixel Beader

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

Head to head
About

PixelBead

Transform your photos into bead patterns quickly and easily. Automatically match colors, generate grids, and refine your designs with powerful editing tools. Supports popular bead brands and offers premium features for advanced users.

Highlights
  • Photo to bead pattern conversion
  • Automatic color matching and grid generation
  • Support for Perler, Hama, Artkal, Nabbi brands
  • Manual pattern editing tools
  • Bead usage statistics
  • High-resolution PDF/PNG export (Premium)
Features
Read full description

PixelBead helps you turn photos into clean bead patterns you can actually make. Import an image from your photo library or camera, generate a bead pattern in seconds, then refine the result with tools built for real bead projects. Whether you are making Perler, Hama, Artkal, or Nabbi designs, PixelBead helps you move from idea to printable pattern faster. WHAT YOU CAN DO ▸ Photo To Bead Pattern — Turn photos into bead patterns with automatic color matching and grid generation. ▸ AI Extraction (Premium) — Isolate a subject or simplify image content before conversion for cleaner results. ▸ Brand & Custom Palettes — Browse Perler, Hama, Artkal S, Artkal C, and Nabbi palettes; create your own palettes, add or import colors, and use them in new or existing patterns. ▸ Full Pattern Editing — Refine every pattern with brush, eraser, eyedropper, fill, batch replace, trim edges, and center tools. ▸ Building Guide — Build color by color, mark completed colors, and resume progress later. ▸ Clear Export (Premium) — Export high-resolution PDF or PNG files for printing, saving, and sharing. ▸ Bead Usage Stats — Check color counts, bead codes, row numbers, and total bead quantity before you start making. HOW IT WORKS 1. Import a photo from your library or camera. 2. Generate a bead pattern with color matching. 3. Edit details by hand and start making your pattern. WHY PIXELBEAD? ▸ Built for real fuse bead projects, not just simple image filters. ▸ Faster planning for pixel art, pegboard crafting, and printable bead patterns. ▸ Easier to move from photo to finished pattern on your phone. AI Extraction, Pattern Enhancement, batch color replacement, full Building Guide, and high-resolution PDF/PNG export require a Premium subscription. Terms of Use: https://neolabsapp.com/terms Privacy Policy: https://neolabsapp.com/privacy

About

Pixel Beader

Create custom bead patterns from scratch or by converting photos. Refine designs with drawing tools, layers, and reference images. Preview your creations in 3D and AR, and organize or share your projects.

Highlights
  • Bead-by-bead pattern design
  • Photo to pattern conversion
  • Interactive pattern previews
  • 3D and AR visualization
  • Pattern organization and sharing
  • Layer and reference image support
Features
Read full description

Design your own bead patterns. Follow them as you make. Pixel Beader is a bead pattern design and editing tool. Start with a blank pegboard or convert a favorite photo, then refine the shapes and colors to create something of your own. DESIGN AND EDIT Draw bead by bead, replace colors, pick colors, and erase. Use rectangular selection, lasso, and undo to refine your pattern. Layers, underlays, and floating reference windows help you work with reference images. Draw with Apple Pencil on a compatible iPad. TURN PHOTOS INTO PATTERNS Import a photo and adjust the grid size, sampling method, and color count. Check color codes and bead quantities, then continue editing your pattern. FOLLOW WHILE YOU MAKE Use interactive patterns to check color codes and highlighted rows and columns while placing physical beads. Interactive patterns require membership. PREVIEW IN 3D AND AR Simulate the fused finish and explore your creation from different angles in 3D. On supported devices, use AR to preview it in your surroundings. ORGANIZE AND SHARE Organize patterns in folders, save favorites, and recover deleted work from Recently Deleted. Export pattern images and 3D snapshots, or share project files that can be imported and edited again. FREE AND MEMBERSHIP The free version supports boards and patterns up to 104×104. Optional monthly or lifetime membership unlocks projects up to 208×208 and interactive pattern previews. PRIVACY AND DEVICE SUPPORT Photo processing and project data stay on your device and are not uploaded to a server. Apple Pencil features require a compatible iPad and Apple Pencil. AR requires an ARKit-compatible device. Support: missouryy@icloud.com Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ © 2026 Yu Yan

Screenshots

PixelBead4 screens
Pixel Beader4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: PixelBead at every 2 weeks against Pixel Beader's every 2 months. PixelBead also leads on iOS requirement (15.0 vs 26.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. PixelBead sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days and Pixel Beader sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PixelBead ships an update every 2 weeks, Pixel Beader every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 15, 2026 and November 13, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
PixelBead versus Pixel Beader: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPixelBeadPixel Beader
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size45 MB15 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer笑海 吕Yu Yan

Customer experience

PixelBead

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Pixel Beader

Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

4 purchases

PixelBead

Subscriptions2
  • PixelBead Premium3 Days trial$3.997 Days
  • PixelBead Premium$19.991 Year
One-time2
  • PixelBead Lifetime Offer$24.99
  • PixelBead Lifetime$29.99
2 purchases

Pixel Beader

Subscriptions1
  • Pixel Beader Pro Monthly$0.991 Month
One-time1
  • Pixel Beader Pro Lifetime$9.99

Questions

Is PixelBead free?
PixelBead is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Pixel Beader free?
Pixel Beader is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do PixelBead or Pixel Beader have ads?
Neither PixelBead nor Pixel Beader shows ads.
Which is updated more often, PixelBead or Pixel Beader?
PixelBead ships an update every 2 weeks, and Pixel Beader every 2 months. Most recently, PixelBead was updated on November 15, 2026 and Pixel Beader on November 13, 2026.

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