Comparison

Pixel Beader vs Bead Atlas

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

Head to head
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 104Ɨ104. Optional monthly or lifetime membership unlocks projects up to 208Ɨ208 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/ Ā© 2026 Yu Yan

About

Bead Atlas

Features
Read full description

Bead Atlas is a local-first studio for designing fuse-bead patterns. Start with a blank canvas, or import or capture a photo and turn it into a clean pixel pattern. Features: • Convert photos into bead patterns with automatic nearest-color matching • Choose from multiple board sizes and four built-in color collections • Draw, erase, fill, change the background, move, rotate, and flip artwork • Undo and redo, use grids and five-cell guides, rename projects, and save automatically • Browse a built-in pattern library with categories, search, and one-tap templates • Count colors and bead quantities, then export A4 guides with a grid and color key • Use the interface in Simplified Chinese, English, or Japanese • Choose light or dark appearance and multiple interface text sizes No registration or sign-in is required. Projects and preferences stay on the current device. Imported photos are processed locally to create patterns and are not uploaded to a server. Independence notice: Color collection names and codes are provided only as creative references. This independently developed app is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by any third-party bead brand.

Screenshots

Pixel Beader4 screens
Bead Atlas4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Bead Atlas at none against Pixel Beader's 2. Bead Atlas also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 26.0). Pixel Beader's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, update cadence and device support there is nothing between them.

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

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

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

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Pixel Beader ships an update every 2 months, Bead Atlas every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences Ā· 5 level
Pixel Beader versus Bead Atlas: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPixel BeaderBead Atlas
PriceFreeFree
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 6 weeks — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS26.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size15 MB82 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperYu YanHan Yu Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd.

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Pixel Beader

Subscriptions1
  • Pixel Beader Pro Monthly$0.991 Month
One-time1
  • Pixel Beader Pro Lifetime$9.99
None

Bead Atlas

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Pixel Beader free?
Pixel Beader is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Bead Atlas free?
Bead Atlas is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Pixel Beader or Bead Atlas have ads?
Bead Atlas shows ads; Pixel Beader does not.
Which is updated more often, Pixel Beader or Bead Atlas?
Pixel Beader ships an update every 2 months, and Bead Atlas every 6 weeks. Most recently, Pixel Beader was updated on October 21, 2026 and Bead Atlas on October 9, 2026.

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