# Characterize vs Avatar Maker

The clearest difference is ads: Characterize at none against Avatar Maker's shown. Characterize also leads on review sentiment (68% vs 50%). Avatar Maker's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 3 weeks) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). On price, rating, ratings volume and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Characterize sells 16 one-off in-app purchases and Avatar Maker sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.3 for Characterize against 4.4 for Avatar Maker. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 344 and 220 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 68% of Characterize's written reviews are positive against 50% of Avatar Maker's.

Characterize ships an update every 3 weeks, Avatar Maker weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 1, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Characterize | Avatar Maker |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.3 (344 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/characterize-randomize-names/id706661890/reviews) | **[4.4 (220 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/avatar-maker-character-creator/id6444044406/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **344** | 220 |
| Positive reviews | **68.3% of reviews** | 50.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 295 MB | 294 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **12.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Alexander Winn](https://appshunter.io/developer/652547902) | [Apps Labs](https://appshunter.io/developer/1648354195) |

## What reviewers say

### Characterize

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/characterize-randomize-names/id706661890)

Generate unique characters with names, traits, and stats instantly. Explore diverse categories and save your favorites for any creative project. Unlock additional themed packs for even more variety.

**Highlights:** Unlimited name generation, Rich character details (age, traits, etc.), Themed character packs, Save and share creations, Diverse character categories

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

**In-app purchases (16)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Heroes & Villains Generator | $0.99 | one-time |
| Wizards & Witches Generator | $0.99 | one-time |
| Gods & Goddesses Generator | $0.99 | one-time |
| Anime & Manga Generator | $0.99 | one-time |
| Demons Generator | $0.99 | one-time |
| Anthros Generator | $0.99 | one-time |
| Aliens Generator | $0.99 | one-time |
| Kings, Queens, & Nobles Generator | $0.99 | one-time |
| Apocalypse Survivors Generator | $0.99 | one-time |
| Assassins Generator | $0.99 | one-time |
| Angels Generator | $0.99 | one-time |
| Demigods Generator | $0.99 | one-time |
| Dragons Generator | $0.99 | one-time |
| Fantasy Races Bundle | $4.99 | one-time |
| Mythology Bundle | $5.99 | one-time |
| All Generators | $19.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Helpful for character creation
- 🚀 Great for writers and RPG players
- 💡 Lots of creative and random traits

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Expensive, many features require purchase
- 🐛 Bugs with saving and restoring purchases
- 🔍 Limited free options

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes on startup
- Issues with custom generators and editing characters
- Purchased content not unlocking properly

**Requested features**

- More free generators
- Ability to edit and customize generated characters
- Sorting and organization options for saved characters


### Avatar Maker

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/avatar-maker-character-creator/id6444044406)

Design personalized cartoon avatars with a vast array of customization options. Choose outfits, accessories, and personalize appearances for unique characters. Save and export your creations for social media or other uses.

**Highlights:** Create female or male avatars, Extensive personalization settings, Save with transparent background, Export images for avatars, Regular accessory updates

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

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly Subscription | $2.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly Subscription | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly Subscription | $9.99 | per month |
| Annual Subscription | $19.99 | per year |
| Annual Subscription | $49.99 | per year |
| No Ads | $6.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Characterize free?

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

### Is Avatar Maker free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Characterize or Avatar Maker?

Avatar Maker is rated higher. Characterize averages 4.3 out of 5 from 344 ratings, while Avatar Maker averages 4.4 from 220 ratings.

### Do Characterize or Avatar Maker have ads?

Avatar Maker shows ads; Characterize does not.

### Which is updated more often, Characterize or Avatar Maker?

Characterize ships an update every 3 weeks, and Avatar Maker weekly. Most recently, Characterize was updated on September 1, 2026 and Avatar Maker on September 21, 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.*