Comparison

StarSeed 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

StarSeed

Features
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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.

About

BeadCube

Features
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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

StarSeed4 screens
BeadCube4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: StarSeed at none against BeadCube's 3. BeadCube's advantage is update cadence (every 3 days vs every 10 days). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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. BeadCube sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per 7 days. StarSeed asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

StarSeed ships an update every 10 days, BeadCube every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on September 8, 2026 and September 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences Β· 4 level
StarSeed versus BeadCube: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterStarSeedBeadCube
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 10 daysEvery 3 days β€” better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo β€” betterYes
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.0 β€” better17.0
Further details β€” not scored
Size54 MB11 MB
Age rating4+9+
Developer凇源 张莹莹 ζž—

In-app purchases

None

StarSeed

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

BeadCube

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

Questions

Is StarSeed free?
StarSeed is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is BeadCube free?
BeadCube is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do StarSeed or BeadCube have ads?
Neither StarSeed nor BeadCube shows ads.
Which is updated more often, StarSeed or BeadCube?
StarSeed ships an update every 10 days, and BeadCube every 3 days. Most recently, StarSeed was updated on September 8, 2026 and BeadCube on September 10, 2026.

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