Comparison

Handstract vs DU

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

Head to head
About

Handstract

Create unique geometric abstract drawings using your fingers as drawing tools. Effortlessly generate complex designs with multi-touch input, adjustable shapes, and various artistic effects. Export your high-resolution creations in vector format.

Highlights
  • Multi-touch polygon drawing
  • Adjustable shape size and transparency
  • Global color schemes
  • Bezier shapes and symmetry drawing
  • Infinite undo/redo history
  • High-resolution vector export
  • Mix photos with geometric shapes
Features
Read full description

Handstract: Create Geometric Abstract Drawings with Your Hand Unleash your creativity with Handstract, the unique drawing app that uses the full capacity of your touchscreen. With Handstract, all of your fingers become vertices of polygons, allowing you to effortlessly create abstract geometric images in seconds. Features: * Draw dots using one finger, and adjust their size based on the duration of the press. * Create lines, triangles, and other shapes using multiple fingers (up to five on an iPhone). * Experiment with transparency, thickness, and blending modes to create unique effects. * Choose from a variety of global color schemes to set the mood of your artwork. * Use Bezier shapes and fixed symmetry drawing to add complexity to your designs. * Undo and redo as much as you need, with near infinite levels of history. * Enjoy ultra-fast live drawing, even with a lot of shapes on the canvas. * Export your work in high resolution and vector graphics format. * Use Handstract to create decorative, abstract art in a snap, anywhere and anytime. * Mix your photos with geometric shapes to create stunning visuals. * Think of Handstract as your digital finger painting tool, designed for maximum creativity and fun. Remember to leave a review and share your thoughts about Handstract, or contact us if you need any assistance. Visit headprocess.com to discover more creative apps.

About

DU

Transform videos into extreme digital art with 37 unique filters. This experimental app allows you to digitally mangle and twist footage, creating unique visual effects. Save any frame as a still image or export the entire glitched-out video.

Highlights
  • 37 exclusive video filters
  • Apply filters in infinite combinations
  • Arrange video effects stack manually
  • Blend glitched video with original
  • Randomize filters for unique chaos
  • Save affected video frames as stills
Features
Read full description

:: DESTROY MOTION GRAPHICS ::: Transform any video into extreme digital art. Play on the intoxicating fringes of glitch video with 37 exclusive video filters. Be creative. Push the boundaries. Legendary music label Detroit Underground presents a totally new tool by the creator of DECIM8, designed to digitally mangle and twist your videos. DU-VFX is an experimental app for experimental people. The line-crossers, the button-pushers, the ones who don’t fit into basic boxes. Load up any video from your camera roll. Tap the randomize effects button. Find a VFX filter combination that makes your content POP - or explode into digital fragments of its former self. Scan through the frames of your video and export any affected frame as a still image. Activate and arrange the effects stack manually or rely completely on the nature of chaos - the choice is yours. • Load any video from your camera roll as source material • Apply 37 insane video filters in infinite combinations • Arrange and activate a video effects stack manually • Blend the glitched-out version with the original in 22 blend modes • Randomize filters for unique chaos • Optionally, parameters can drift and change over time • Save any effected video frame as a still image WARNING! THIS APP IS CAPABLE OF COMPLETELY DESTROYING A VIDEO. (You keep the original, of course!) If this doesn't appeal to you, there are LOTS of apps out there to provide all the "safe" effects you could ever want. If you're looking for something more, something new and unpredictable.. capable of making art that's challenging yet beautiful, then you are in the right place. Note : Currently video rendering must happen while the app is in the foreground. iOS may kill the app if backgrounded during render. We're looking into the best way around this.

Screenshots

Handstract4 screens
DU4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Handstract at every 2 weeks against DU's every 4 months. Handstract also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.6). On price, rating, review sentiment and ratings volume 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. Handstract sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and DU sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.4 for Handstract against 4.5 for DU. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 37 and 32 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 75% of Handstract's written reviews are positive against 71% of DU's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Handstract ships an update every 2 weeks, DU every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on September 8, 2026 and September 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Handstract versus DU: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHandstractDU
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (37 ratings)4.5 (32 ratings) — better
Positive reviews75.0% of reviews — better70.6% of reviews
Number of ratings37 — better32
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterEvery 4 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.0 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size5 MB17 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperDaniel EkeKris Collins

Customer experience

Handstract

All ratings37 ratings
Positive89.2%
Neutral0.0%
Negative10.8%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive75.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative25.0%

DU

All ratings32 ratings
Positive81.3%
Neutral9.4%
Negative9.4%
Written reviews17 reviews
Positive70.6%
Neutral5.9%
Negative23.5%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Handstract

One-time1
  • Handstract Pro$0.49
1 purchases

DU

One-time1
  • Still Image Export$0.99

Questions

Is Handstract free?
Handstract is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is DU free?
DU is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Handstract or DU?
DU is rated higher. Handstract averages 4.4 out of 5 from 37 ratings, while DU averages 4.5 from 32 ratings.
Do Handstract or DU have ads?
Neither Handstract nor DU shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Handstract or DU?
Handstract ships an update every 2 weeks, and DU every 4 months. Most recently, Handstract was updated on September 8, 2026 and DU on September 7, 2026.

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