Comparison

Bead Studio 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

Bead Studio

Transform any photo into a fuse bead pattern with this intuitive tool. It automatically generates bead grids, charts, and material lists, requiring no design skills. Perfect for creating pixel art, gifts, or craft templates.

Highlights
  • One-step photo-to-pattern creation
  • Automatic bead grid generation
  • Material list with color counts
  • Adjustable grid size
  • Built-in bead palettes
  • Save, share, and export patterns
Features
Read full description

Bead Studio turns any photo into a build-ready fuse bead pattern in one simple step. Pick a photo from your library or camera, and Bead Studio automatically creates a clean bead grid, chart, and material list you can use right away. No complicated setup, no manual tracing, no design skills needed. Features: - One-step photo-to-pattern creation - Photo library and camera import - Automatic bead grid generation - Adjustable grid size for simple or detailed projects - Built-in palettes for common fuse bead brands - Bead preview, chart view, and original photo comparison - Material list with color counts and estimated bags - Save, share, or export patterns as images or PDFs - Save projects locally and restore deleted patterns from Trash - In-app language support for 13 languages Whether you are making pixel art, handmade gifts, or craft templates, Bead Studio makes it easy to go from photo to pattern in seconds.

About

Pixel Beader

Features
Read full description

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

Bead Studio4 screens
Pixel Beader4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Bead Studio at none against Pixel Beader's 2. Bead Studio also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 2 months). Pixel Beader's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Pixel Beader sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Bead Studio asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Bead Studio ships an update fortnightly, Pixel Beader every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on July 6, 2026 and September 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Bead Studio versus Pixel Beader: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBead StudioPixel Beader
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 2 months
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationAd-supported—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.0 — better18.1
Further details — not scored
Size20 MB13 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperXiang WangYu Yan

In-app purchases

None

Bead Studio

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Pixel Beader

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

Questions

Is Bead Studio free?
Bead Studio is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Pixel Beader free?
Pixel Beader is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Bead Studio or Pixel Beader have ads?
Bead Studio shows ads; Pixel Beader does not.
Which is updated more often, Bead Studio or Pixel Beader?
Bead Studio ships an update fortnightly, and Pixel Beader every 2 months. Most recently, Bead Studio was updated on July 6, 2026 and Pixel Beader on September 3, 2026.

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