Comparison

Pixel Beader vs BeadCube

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side β€” 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 104Γ—104. Optional monthly or lifetime membership unlocks projects up to 208Γ—208 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/ Β© 2026 Yu Yan

About

BeadCube

Features
Read full description

See the finished piece in 3D before placing your first bead. BeadCube is a complete workspace for fuse-bead creators. Turn photos into clear patterns, start from a blank canvas, inspect the finished look in 3D, and find structural weak points before you assemble or iron your work. 3D PREVIEW View your flat pattern as dimensional beads. Drag to inspect it from different angles or jump to preset views, so colors, silhouettes, and assembly relationships are easier to judge before you begin. PHOTO TO PATTERN Choose a photo, crop the subject, and generate a bead pattern automatically. BeadCube suggests a suitable grid and color count, with controls for background removal, color limits, artwork type, and dithering. CREATE AND EDIT Start with a blank canvas or refine a generated pattern cell by cell. Paint, erase, fill, pick colors, select, flip, rotate, undo, and redo. Keep the source image underneath as a reference while correcting details. DESIGNED FOR IPAD Make full use of the larger display with side-by-side previews and controls, an editor that keeps the canvas and inspector visible together, and pattern-plus-3D assembly views. Apple Pencil support enables precise input, while separate finger drawing and panning controls keep longer creative sessions comfortable and efficient. STRUCTURE CHECK Detect isolated beads, detached regions, diagonal-only connections, and critical weak points. Locate each issue, reinforce it, ignore an intentional detail, and run the check again after editing. IMPORT FROM LINKS Paste an external link that contains an image. BeadCube first tries to recognize an existing grid pattern; other images continue through the photo conversion flow. Only import content you have the right to use. ASSEMBLY AND MATERIALS Review bead counts by color, focus on one color while assembling, and export clear patterns, color references, and material lists for printing or sharing. MORE β€’ Curated built-in templates β€’ Designed for iPhone and iPad β€’ Automatic project saving β€’ Pro unlocks more projects, iCloud sync, and professional export MEMBERSHIP OPTIONS β€’ Weekly Experience: auto-renews weekly β€’ Annual Pro: auto-renews yearly β€’ Lifetime Pro: one-time purchase, no renewal Prices are shown in your local currency on the purchase screen. Auto-renewing subscriptions can be managed or canceled in your Apple Account settings. Cancellation takes effect after the current billing period. Lifetime Pro is a non-consumable purchase and does not renew. Privacy Policy: https://finngra.github.io/BeadCube/privacy-en.html Support: https://finngra.github.io/BeadCube/support-en.html Terms of Use: https://finngra.github.io/BeadCube/terms-en.html Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Pixel Beader4 screens
BeadCube4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: BeadCube at every 3 days against Pixel Beader's every 2 months. BeadCube also leads on iOS requirement (17.0 vs 26.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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. Pixel Beader sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month and BeadCube sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Pixel Beader ships an update every 2 months, BeadCube every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences Β· 6 level
Pixel Beader versus BeadCube: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPixel BeaderBeadCube
PriceFreeFree
Positive reviews100.0% of reviewsβ€”
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 3 days β€” better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumβ€”
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS26.017.0 β€” better
Further details β€” not scored
Size15 MB11 MB
Age rating4+9+
DeveloperYu Yan莹莹 ζž—

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Pixel Beader

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

BeadCube

Subscriptions2
  • Weekly Experience$0.997 Days
  • Annual Pro$4.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime Pro$7.99

Questions

Is Pixel Beader free?
Pixel Beader is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is BeadCube free?
BeadCube is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Pixel Beader or BeadCube have ads?
Neither Pixel Beader nor BeadCube shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Pixel Beader or BeadCube?
Pixel Beader ships an update every 2 months, and BeadCube every 3 days. Most recently, Pixel Beader was updated on October 21, 2026 and BeadCube on October 13, 2026.

Other comparisons