# RoughAnimator vs Looom

The clearest difference is rating: RoughAnimator at 4.6 against Looom's 3.8. RoughAnimator also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 4 months) and ratings volume (2.9K vs 122). On ads, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

RoughAnimator costs $7.99 and Looom $9.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

RoughAnimator holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: RoughAnimator has 2.9K ratings behind it against 122, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 79% of RoughAnimator's written reviews are positive against 62% of Looom's.

RoughAnimator ships an update fortnightly, Looom every 4 months. Both last shipped on October 14, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | RoughAnimator | Looom |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$7.99** | $9.99 |
| Rating | **[4.6 (2.9K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/roughanimator-animation-app/id954718244/reviews)** | [3.8 (122 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/looom/id1454153126/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **2.9K** | 122 |
| Positive reviews | **78.7% of reviews** | 61.7% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Fortnightly** | Every 4 months |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Best chart rank | **#11** | #112 |
| Size | 31 MB | 43 MB |
| Requires iOS | 13 | 13.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Jacob KAFKA](https://appshunter.io/developer/954718243) | [IORAMA AB](https://appshunter.io/developer/933451747) |

## What reviewers say

### RoughAnimator

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/roughanimator-animation-app/id954718244)

**Currently charting:** #11 Top Paid · Graphics & Design (US App Store)

Create traditional hand-drawn, frame-by-frame animations on your iPad. This app offers professional-grade tools like unlimited layers, onion skinning, and audio import, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced animators. Export your work in various formats or import it into professional animation software.

**Highlights:** Timeline with unlimited layers, Onion skinning, Audio and video import, Custom brushes, Apple Pencil support, Export to video, GIF, image sequence, Import to professional software

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use
- 🚀 Smooth animation
- 💡 Useful features like camera and audio
- 👍 Intuitive interface
- 👍 Great for beginners

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Crashes when importing video/audio
- 🐛 Laggy performance with larger projects
- 🐛 Pixelated/blurry drawings when playing animation
- 🐛 Onion skin not working
- 🐛 Brush issues like splotchy lines

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes when importing audio
- Onion skin not working
- Pixelated drawings when playing animation
- Laggy performance with larger projects

**Requested features**

- Add transparency support for exports
- Implement a text tool
- Provide more brush options and customization
- Add a ruler/shape tool
- Improve audio handling (record, import, sync)


### Looom

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/looom/id1454153126)

**Currently charting:** #112 Top Paid · Graphics & Design (US App Store)

Create hand-drawn animations with a playful, instrument-like interface. This robust app focuses on loopable animation, offering a dynamic, non-destructive workflow for both beginners and professionals. Explore lines, shapes, and colors in a delightful environment designed for learning and experimentation.

**Highlights:** Hand-drawn animation creation, Loopable animation focus, Musical interface inspiration, Dynamic non-destructive workflow, Fluid time control, Infinite canvas, SVG native file format

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 💡 Innovative and unique animation interface
- 🎨 Intuitive drawing experience once learned
- 🎬 Real-time animation playback while drawing
- 📱 Works seamlessly on iPad and iPhone
- 🎯 Simple and minimalist design approach

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes losing user work
- 😕 Non-intuitive UI despite minimalist design
- 🎨 Limited to single color per layer/thread
- 🖌️ Only one basic brush option available
- 📤 Extremely cumbersome export process

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes mid-animation causing work loss
- Grey screen on launch preventing app opening
- Drawing not registering properly
- Frame navigation swiping goes wrong direction
- Accidental marks appearing from sensitive touch controls

**Requested features**

- Better export options (GIF, video, SVG with proper formatting)
- Increase frame limit beyond 24 frames
- More than 5 layers/threads
- Multiple colors and brush sizes per layer
- Frame duplication and copy-paste functionality


## Frequently asked questions

### Is RoughAnimator free?

RoughAnimator costs $7.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Looom free?

Looom costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, RoughAnimator or Looom?

RoughAnimator is rated higher. RoughAnimator averages 4.6 out of 5 from 2.9K ratings, while Looom averages 3.8 from 122 ratings.

### Do RoughAnimator or Looom have ads?

Neither RoughAnimator nor Looom shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, RoughAnimator or Looom?

RoughAnimator ships an update fortnightly, and Looom every 4 months. Most recently, RoughAnimator was updated on October 14, 2026 and Looom on October 14, 2026.

### Which is more popular, RoughAnimator or Looom?

RoughAnimator currently peaks at #11 in the App Store charts, and Looom at #112. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

---

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