StarSeed vs DotBead
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
StarSeed
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StarSeed is a bead pattern maker and pixel art editor designed for fuse bead, Perler bead, Hama bead, Artkal bead, and pixel bead creators. Turn photos into printable bead patterns, draw original pixel art, create text-based pixel designs, count required bead colors, and export clean PDF patterns for real-world crafting. Main features: - Photo to bead pattern: convert pictures from your photo library into pixel bead grids. - Background removal: isolate the main subject before creating a cleaner bead pattern. - Real bead palette matching: supports common bead palettes including Perler, Hama, Artkal, MARD, and COCO. - Pixel art editor: draw with brush, eraser, fill, eyedropper, shapes, text, mirror, and move tools. - Text to pixel pattern: turn names, words, and short phrases into pixel-style bead designs. - Pattern library: save, rename, view, and continue editing your own bead patterns. - Material count: automatically calculate how many beads are needed for each color. - Printable PDF export: create bead pattern sheets with coordinates, color IDs, grid lines, material list, total bead count, and physical size. - Built-in gallery: browse curated bead pattern ideas and save them to your library. - Crafting timer: record your bead-making time and mood, with Live Activity support on the Lock Screen and Dynamic Island. - iCloud sync: keep your personal pattern library available across your devices. Great for: - Making Perler bead patterns from photos - Creating Hama bead, Artkal bead, MARD bead, and fuse bead designs - Designing pixel avatars, pixel gifts, keychains, coasters, charms, and handmade crafts - Preparing craft patterns for kids, family activities, DIY projects, and fan art - Printing clear bead grids, color charts, and material lists StarSeed is built around real bead-making workflows, from photo conversion and palette matching to printable patterns and focused crafting sessions.
DotBead
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Turn Any Photo into a Bead Pattern Create beautiful Perler, Hama, Artkal and Mard bead patterns from your photos or emoji in seconds. Whether you’re making gifts, pixel art, or DIY crafts, DotBead helps you generate accurate bead layouts with professional tools. — Features Photo & Emoji to Bead Patterns Convert any image or emoji into detailed bead patterns. * Photo to bead pattern * Emoji to bead pattern * Instant preview — Multiple Bead Brands Choose the palette you already own. Supports: * Perler * Hama * Artkal * Mard — Precision Editing Designed for real-world crafting. * Crosshair cursor positioning * Tap any bead to identify its color code * Accurate grid editing — Shopping List Automatically generate a bead inventory. * Required colors * Bead quantities * Easy purchasing reference — Gallery Save your favorite creations. * Store projects * Reopen anytime * Export patterns — Advanced Controls Professional tools for better results. * Limit grid size * Color count reduction * Dithering algorithms * Smart color optimization — Perfect For * Perler Beads * Hama Beads * Artkal Beads * Mard Beads * Fuse Beads * Pixel Bead Art * DIY Crafts * Handmade Gifts Subscriptions provide access to premium templates, advanced editing tools, and unlimited exports. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is device support: DotBead at 4 against StarSeed's 2. On price, ads, in-app purchases 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
| Parameter | StarSeed | DotBead |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | — |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | 16 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 54 MB | 7 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | 凇源 张 | 辉章 何 |
In-app purchases
StarSeed
No in-app purchases
DotBead
No in-app purchases









