# StarSeed vs PixelBean

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: StarSeed at none against PixelBean's 3. PixelBean's advantage is update cadence (every 2 days vs every 3 weeks). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. PixelBean sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. StarSeed asks for nothing beyond the download.

StarSeed ships an update every 3 weeks, PixelBean every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 19, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | StarSeed | PixelBean |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Every 2 days** |
| Size | 54 MB | 30 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [凇源 张](https://appshunter.io/developer/6776062244) | [云华 邓](https://appshunter.io/developer/6806709519) |

## What reviewers say

### StarSeed

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/starseed-perler-bead-pattern/id6793438381)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### PixelBean

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pixelbean-bead-pattern-maker/id6806803223)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 连续包月 | $1.99 | per month |
| 连续包年 | $9.99 | per year |
| 终身会员 | $22.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is StarSeed free?

StarSeed is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is PixelBean free?

PixelBean is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do StarSeed or PixelBean have ads?

Neither StarSeed nor PixelBean shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, StarSeed or PixelBean?

StarSeed ships an update every 3 weeks, and PixelBean every 2 days. Most recently, StarSeed was updated on September 25, 2026 and PixelBean on September 19, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*