Comparison

TraceBeam vs Fuse Beads

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

Head to head
About

TraceBeam

Features
Read full description

TraceBeam is a tracing and drawing app that helps you draw on real-world surfaces using a live camera view and Trace Images. Choose Single Device for a simple setup, or use Dual Device to separate the camera and drawing experience across two devices. With Dual Device, one device acts as the Camera Device while another acts as the Drawing Device, making it easier to work on large canvases, walls, boards, and other hard-to-reach surfaces. Single Device: Use one device as the camera, Trace Image display, and drawing setup. Position the device above your drawing surface, select a Trace Image, align it with the camera view, and start tracing. Dual Device: Most AR drawing apps use a single device, which becomes difficult when drawing on large or hard-to-reach surfaces. TraceBeam solves this by separating the camera and drawing experience across two devices. Use two devices for a more flexible drawing setup. The Camera Device captures and streams the live canvas view, while the Drawing Device displays the live view with your Trace Image overlaid on the real surface. Key Features: β€’ Single-device tracing mode β€’ Dual-device live drawing workflow β€’ Live camera canvas preview β€’ Overlay and trace reference images β€’ Adjust opacity for comfortable tracing β€’ Move, zoom and rotate using gestures β€’ Perspective adjustment for better alignment β€’ Fullscreen drawing mode β€’ Save settings and reuse them later β€’ Designed for large and hard-to-reach surfaces β€’ Clean and distraction-free interface How TraceBeam Works: Single Device β€’ Start Single Device mode β€’ Position your device facing the drawing surface β€’ Select and align the Trace Image β€’ Adjust opacity and other settings β€’ Start tracing and drawing Dual Device β€’ Choose the Camera Device and Drawing Device β€’ Connect the two devices β€’ View your Live Canvas β€’ Align the Trace Image β€’ Adjust perspective and opacity if needed β€’ Start tracing and drawing TraceBeam is designed for beginners, hobby artists, students, and anyone who wants a more practical way to trace and draw on real surfaces. Draw bigger. Align better. Trace with confidence. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Fuse Beads

Read full description

Fuse Beads helps you turn a photo into a fuse-bead pattern you can actually iron. Pick a picture from Photos, the camera, or Files, generate a pattern on this iPhone, then edit beads, count materials, and follow along color by color. What you can do: - Start from a photo or one of 24 original built-in designs - Board sizes 15Γ—15, 21Γ—21, 29Γ—29, 40Γ—40, 58Γ—58, plus 20Γ—30, 29Γ—40, and custom sizes - Crop with a live preview before you generate - Three detail modes and careful on-device color matching - Optional background cleanup that keeps the subject - Perler common names, Hama Midi numbers, and Artkal S-5mm numbers as on-screen references - Edit bead by bead, undo, zoom, and jump by row or column - See material totals, tick colors you already have, estimate packs, and copy a shopping list - Highlight one color, mark progress, and see what to place next - Search, sort, rename, duplicate, and delete projects - Export high-resolution PNG or PDF with coordinates; large boards split into section pages - Keep a local backup you can export and merge later - 13 interface languages, including Arabic (right to left). Follow the system or lock a language in Settings Privacy first: No account, ads, analytics SDKs, or tracking. Photos, patterns, and progress stay on your device. The camera is used only if you choose to take a photo. Files leave the app only when you save a PNG to Photos or pick a destination in the system share sheet. Screen colors may differ from physical beads. Check the brand’s latest physical color card before buying in quantity. Perler, Hama, and Artkal are trademarks of their respective owners. This app is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or officially authorized by those brands.

Screenshots

TraceBeam4 screens
Fuse Beads4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Fuse Beads at none against TraceBeam's 2. Fuse Beads also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 2 months). On price, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price Β· Rating Β· Positive reviews Β· Number of ratings Β· Update frequency Β· Ads Β· In-app purchases Β· Monetization Β· Best chart rank Β· Devices Β· Requires iOS

CostPrice Β· In-app purchases Β· Ads Β· Monetization

Both are free to download. TraceBeam sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Fuse Beads asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

TraceBeam ships an update every 2 months, Fuse Beads every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and October 12, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences Β· 3 level
TraceBeam versus Fuse Beads: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTraceBeamFuse Beads
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 weeks β€” better
AdsYesNo β€” better
In-app purchasesYesNo β€” better
DevicesiPhone, iPad β€” betteriPhone
Requires iOS16.0 β€” better17.0
Further details β€” not scored
Size36 MB11 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperShajir KaladyShanghai Qishan Cultural Communication Co., Ltd.

In-app purchases

2 purchases

TraceBeam

Subscriptions2
  • TraceBeam Pro Monthly$3.991 Month
  • TraceBeam Pro Yearly$29.991 Year
None

Fuse Beads

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is TraceBeam free?
TraceBeam is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Fuse Beads free?
Fuse Beads is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do TraceBeam or Fuse Beads have ads?
TraceBeam shows ads; Fuse Beads does not.
Which is updated more often, TraceBeam or Fuse Beads?
TraceBeam ships an update every 2 months, and Fuse Beads every 2 weeks. Most recently, TraceBeam was updated on October 25, 2026 and Fuse Beads on October 12, 2026.

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