Comparison

Retrace vs Tracebee

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

Head to head
About

Retrace

Learn to draw by tracing images onto real paper using your phone's camera. Convert photos into sketches, break them into steps, and follow guided lessons. Progress through levels and unlock premium features for enhanced learning.

Highlights
  • Camera tracing overlay
  • AI sketch generation from photos
  • Step-by-step drawing lessons
  • Curated art library
  • Progress tracking and leveling
  • Adjustable opacity, zoom, and position
Features
Read full description

Retrace helps you learn to draw step by step — by tracing images onto real paper. Turn any photo into a clean sketch, split it into simple stages, and trace each step with your iPhone camera. No projector. No light box. Just your phone, paper, and pencil. WHY RETRACE • Camera Trace — overlay any step on real paper; adjust opacity, zoom, and position • AI from Photo — upload or snap a picture; get a sketch and guided steps in your style • Step-by-Step Lessons — progress bar, hints, and a clear path from outline to finished drawing • Art Library — curated drawings by theme and difficulty; favorites and continue where you left off • Your Level — earn progress as you complete lessons HOW IT WORKS 1. Choose a photo, camera shot, or library lesson 2. Optional: AI transforms your image into a sketch (uses credits) 3. Split the drawing into easy steps 4. Trace through the camera onto paper—or view steps on screen 5. Finish, review, and level up PERFECT FOR • Beginners learning how to draw • Artists who want a tracing projector in their pocket • Parents and kids practicing together • Anyone who loves sketching, anime, cartoons, or photo references PREMIUM Unlock weekly credits for AI generations, premium lessons, and full access to tracing tools. Subscriptions renew automatically; manage anytime in Apple ID settings. Download Retrace and start your first drawing lesson today. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://retracedraw.art/privacy.html

About

Tracebee

Features
Read full description

Tracebee makes learning to draw easy and fun. Pick a template from the library or upload your own photo, overlay it on your paper using the camera, and trace the lines — one stroke at a time. HOW IT WORKS 1. Choose a template or pick any photo from your camera roll 2. Switch to Camera mode and hold your phone over your paper 3. Adjust the opacity until you can see through the overlay, then trace! TEMPLATE LIBRARY 28 line-art templates across Animals, Faces, Nature, and Objects — at Easy, Medium, and Hard difficulty. Perfect for complete beginners and improving artists alike. BUILT FOR TRACING • Move, scale, and rotate the overlay with gestures • Fine-tune opacity with a smooth slider • Lock the overlay in place while you draw • Toggle the flash for better visibility in low light • Tap to hide controls for a clean, distraction-free view • Save your favourites for quick access NO SUBSCRIPTION. NO ADS. Tracebee is completely free with no hidden costs.

Screenshots

Retrace4 screens
Tracebee4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Tracebee at none against Retrace's 7. Tracebee also leads on ads (none vs shown) and iOS requirement (15.1 vs 18.6). On price 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. Retrace sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per 7 days. Tracebee asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Retrace versus Tracebee: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRetraceTracebee
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyFortnightly—
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS18.615.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size135 MB30 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAleksei VorontsovADHAM NIZAM BANISHAMSAH

In-app purchases

7 purchases

Retrace

Subscriptions4
  • Weekly premium3 Days trial$6.997 Days
  • Weekly premium7 Days trial$6.997 Days
  • Year premium1 Year trial$34.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • Year premium3 Days trial$99.991 Year
One-time3
  • Credits 150$14.99
  • Credits 500$39.99
  • Credits 1000$69.99
None

Tracebee

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Retrace free?
Retrace is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Tracebee free?
Tracebee is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Retrace or Tracebee have ads?
Retrace shows ads; Tracebee does not.

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