Handpix vs Pixel Beader
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Handpix
Create intricate bead patterns with professional drawing tools, layer management, and realistic ironing previews. Easily convert photos to pixel art and export customizable designs for sharing or building.
- Professional drawing tools
- Multi-layer support
- Realistic ironing effect preview
- Photo to pixel art conversion
- Customizable pattern export
- iCloud cross-device sync
- Built-in pegboard for building
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Core Features: [Professional Drawing Tools] An eraser that removes by color block, a paint bucket with drag-to-fill, one-tap outlining, and line, rectangle, and ellipse tools that make every stroke effortless. The lasso tool lets you cut, copy, paste, select all, or invert a selection — and paste across layers or even across canvases. Vertical, horizontal, and diagonal symmetry axes mean you never have to draw a mirrored pattern twice. [Layer Management] Full multi-layer drawing with one-tap clear, duplicate, and focus mode for every layer. [Handy Gestures] Two-finger undo, three-finger redo, and the "Magic Cube" — a floating widget that toggles color codes and replays your creation process. [Ironing-Effect Preview] Preview six realistic ironing finishes: full melt (no-hole), bath-mitt texture, towel texture, coarse glitter, fine glitter, and linen. [One-Tap Pixelization] Turn photos and cartoon images into pixel art in a single tap, with your choice of style and target color count. [All-in-One Share Image Studio] Create social-media-ready images right inside the app — swap backgrounds, add pattern shadows, and more. [Fully Customizable Pattern Export] Major and minor grid lines, ruler colors, color card styles, signature and text watermarks, mirrored output, and export-by-color — tune everything until it's exactly how you want it. [iCloud Cross-Device Creating] Your work syncs in real time between iPad and iPhone via iCloud. [Built-in Pegboard] Import smart PDF patterns, .handpix files, or your in-app projects — then build bead by bead, sorted by color code or split into 5x5、10×10 sections. [Who Is It For?] - Pattern designers: draw efficiently, preview the finished look, export social covers, and share patterns in multiple formats. - Bead hobbyists: turn your avatar, pet, favorite artwork, or original characters into bead patterns. - Bead and craft shops: design, adjust, and deliver ready-to-build patterns for your customers. Supports Apple Pencil and touch. Long-press anywhere to discover 130+ features! Handpix — the professional pixel artist's choice. Privacy Policy: https://handpix.app/privacy/ Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Pixel Beader
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Pixel Beader is a fuse bead design and pattern-making app built for iPhone and iPad. It gives you a complete workflow for creating, choosing colors, previewing, and sharing fuse bead art. 【From ideas to bead patterns】 Start with a blank pegboard and place beads one by one, or import a photo and quickly turn it into a clean pixel bead pattern. Fine-tune the rows, columns, sampling method, transparent background, and color count. Pixel Beader automatically matches colors to your palette and shows the code and quantity for every bead color. 【Precise editing, flexible colors】 On an iPad that supports Apple Pencil, you can place, replace, and erase beads as naturally as drawing. You can also switch to touch editing. Convert between pegboards and patterns to move smoothly from digital design to hands-on crafting. Choose from multiple built-in bead palettes, or add and edit your own colors. 【Organize, preview, and share】 Organize patterns in folders, favorite the designs you use most, and recover accidentally deleted items from Recently Deleted. When your design is ready, simulate the fusing process and preview Film, Parchment, and Teflon surface finishes. Inspect the finished piece from different angles in 3D or AR. Export pattern images and 3D snapshots, or share editable project files that can be imported again. 【Key features】 • Edit individual beads with Apple Pencil or touch • Pen, single-bead editing, eyedropper, eraser, lasso, and undo tools • Turn photos into pixel bead patterns • Automatically generate color legends and bead counts • Multiple built-in bead palettes • Organize patterns in folders • Favorites and Recently Deleted • Simulate fusing with three surface finishes • Inspect finished designs in 3D and AR • Export and share pattern images 【Privacy】 All photo processing and project data remain on your device and are never uploaded to a server. 【Membership】 The free plan supports pegboards and patterns up to 104 × 104. An optional monthly or lifetime membership unlocks projects up to 208 × 208 and interactive pattern previews. From inspiration to pattern to finished piece, Pixel Beader keeps every step of your creative process clear and organized. 【Requirements】 Apple Pencil features require a compatible iPad and Apple Pencil. AR features require an ARKit-compatible device. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Handpix at none against Pixel Beader's 2. Handpix also leads on update cadence (every 5 days vs every 2 months). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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
Both are free to download. Pixel Beader sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Handpix asks for nothing beyond the download.
Handpix ships an update every 5 days, Pixel Beader every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 19, 2026 and October 4, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Handpix | Pixel Beader |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| Update frequency | Every 5 days — better | Every 2 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 — better | 18.1 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 35 MB | 13 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | 寻 刘 | Yu Yan |
In-app purchases
Handpix
No in-app purchases
Pixel Beader
- Pixel Beader Pro Monthly$0.991 Month
- Pixel Beader Pro Lifetime$9.99









