Comparison

BeadCube vs PixelBean

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

Head to head
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 • Curated built-in templates • Designed for iPhone and iPad • Automatic project saving • Pro unlocks more projects, iCloud sync, and professional export MEMBERSHIP OPTIONS • Weekly Experience: auto-renews weekly • Annual Pro: auto-renews yearly • 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/

About

PixelBean

Features
Read full description

"PixelBean" turns any photo into a pixel bead pattern in just a few taps. KEY FEATURES • Smart color recognition: Upload an image and PixelBean automatically identifies colors and generates a pattern with matching bead color codes. • Grid patterns: Clear row and column numbers plus color codes make every pattern easy to follow. • Block-by-block beading: Sort by block or color, jump automatically, and move to the next block when you finish one. • High-resolution export: Export HD PNG and PDF patterns for sharing or printing. • Membership features: Ad-free use, high-resolution source images, batch export, and other advanced tools. WHO IT'S FOR Perfect for perler beads, pixel art, cross-stitch, and DIY craft lovers. No experience needed. HOW TO USE 1. Choose or take a photo. 2. Generate a pattern with matching color codes. 3. Start beading by color or block and follow the pattern as you go. 4. Export the finished pattern as a high-resolution image for saving or printing. MEMBERSHIP FEATURES • Unlimited pattern generation • Export HD PNG / PDF patterns • Unlock block export (104 × 104 for block-by-block printing) • Freely zoom the workspace while following a pattern • Full MARD color library (291 colors) • Bulk bead-box management and deduct beads by pattern AUTO-RENEWABLE SUBSCRIPTIONS • Monthly and yearly plans are auto-renewable subscriptions and renew automatically before the end of each period. • To cancel: Settings → Apple ID → Subscriptions → Cancel. Cancellation takes effect at the end of the current period. • Eligible new monthly subscribers may receive a 3-day free trial. • All prices, durations, and trial details are shown on the App Store purchase confirmation screen. Every bead has its place, and every project has a record. Questions or feedback? Contact us at beadplix@163.com Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

BeadCube4 screens
PixelBean4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: PixelBean at 15.0 against BeadCube's 17.0. On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. BeadCube sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per 7 days and PixelBean sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on September 28, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 5 level
BeadCube versus PixelBean: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBeadCubePixelBean
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 3 daysEvery 3 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size11 MB32 MB
Age rating9+4+
Developer莹莹 林云华 邓

In-app purchases

3 purchases

BeadCube

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

PixelBean

Subscriptions2
  • 连续包月3 Days trial$1.991 Month
  • 连续包年$9.991 Year
One-time1
  • 终身会员$22.99

Questions

Is BeadCube free?
BeadCube is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is PixelBean free?
PixelBean is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do BeadCube or PixelBean have ads?
Neither BeadCube nor PixelBean shows ads.
Which is updated more often, BeadCube or PixelBean?
BeadCube ships an update every 3 days, and PixelBean every 3 days. Most recently, BeadCube was updated on September 28, 2026 and PixelBean on October 7, 2026.

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