Comparison

Handstract vs Atkinson

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

Atkinson

This app processes photos using the Atkinson dithering algorithm, originally used for black and white displays on old Macintosh computers. It creates small file-sized images with options for square cropping, rounded corners, and white borders, offering a real-time preview of the effect.

Highlights
  • Atkinson dithering algorithm processing
  • Square photo output
  • Toggleable rounded corners
  • White border option
  • Real-time preview
Features
Read full description

Transform your photos with the iconic Atkinson dithering algorithm — the same technique used on the original Macintosh by Bill Atkinson. Create stunning retro-style images with a single tap. # What is Atkinson Dithering? Atkinson dithering was the algorithm behind the classic 1-bit graphics of early Macintosh computers. It converts photos i nto beautiful two-tone pixel patterns, producing images with a distinctive vintage charm and remarkably small file sizes. # Features - Real-time Atkinson dithering preview through your camera - 7 retro-tech color palettes: Terminal Green, Amber Monitor, Original Macintosh, Game Boy, Apple II Green, White Phospho r, and classic black & white - 5 iconic frames inspired by computing history: MacPaint, Classic Mac window, Terminal, White Frame, and frameless - Adjustable brightness control - Rounded corner option - Square photo output optimized for social media - Lightweight PNG output with tiny file sizes # Color Palettes Go beyond black and white. Choose from color palettes inspired by legendary displays — the green glow of VT100 terminals, the warm amber of IBM monitors, the creamy screen of the original Macintosh, and more. # Retro Frames Wrap your dithered photos in frames inspired by classic software. The MacPaint frame features pixel-perfect tool palettes and menu bars, just like Bill Atkinson's legendary paint program. The Classic Mac frame recreates the iconic window chrome of early Macintosh. # Perfect for - Retro and vintage photo enthusiasts - Pixel art lovers - Social media posts with a unique aesthetic - Anyone who appreciates the beauty of 1-bit graphics

Screenshots

Handstract4 screens
Atkinson4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Handstract at 4.4 against Atkinson's 3.3. Handstract also leads on ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (37 vs 6). On price, review sentiment, update cadence 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. Handstract sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Atkinson sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Handstract holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 3.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Handstract has 37 ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 75% of Handstract's written reviews are positive against 71% of Atkinson's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Handstract ships an update every 2 weeks, Atkinson monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 8, 2026 and June 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Handstract versus Atkinson: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHandstractAtkinson
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (37 ratings) — better3.3 (6 ratings)
Positive reviews75.0% of reviews — better71.4% of reviews
Number of ratings37 — better6
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterMonthly
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS13.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size5 MB19 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDaniel EkeTsutomu Koyachi

Customer experience

Handstract

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

Atkinson

All ratings6 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral16.7%
Negative33.3%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive71.4%
Neutral0.0%
Negative28.6%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Handstract

One-time1
  • Handstract Pro$0.49
2 purchases

Atkinson

Subscriptions2
  • Standard Month$0.991 Month
  • Standard Year$9.991 Year

Questions

Is Handstract free?
Handstract is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Atkinson free?
Atkinson is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Handstract or Atkinson?
Handstract is rated higher. Handstract averages 4.4 out of 5 from 37 ratings, while Atkinson averages 3.3 from 6 ratings.
Do Handstract or Atkinson have ads?
Atkinson shows ads; Handstract does not.
Which is updated more often, Handstract or Atkinson?
Handstract ships an update every 2 weeks, and Atkinson monthly. Most recently, Handstract was updated on September 8, 2026 and Atkinson on June 5, 2026.

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