# RoughAnimator vs Reference Board

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: RoughAnimator at none against Reference Board's 1. RoughAnimator also leads on ratings volume (3K vs 7) and rating (4.6 vs 4.3). Reference Board's advantage is update cadence (every 4 days vs fortnightly) and price ($5.99 vs $7.99). On ads, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

RoughAnimator costs $7.99 and Reference Board $5.99 up front. Reference Board sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. RoughAnimator asks for nothing beyond the download.

RoughAnimator holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: RoughAnimator has 3K ratings behind it against 7, 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 64% of Reference Board's.

RoughAnimator ships an update fortnightly, Reference Board every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | RoughAnimator | Reference Board |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $7.99 | **$5.99** |
| Rating | **[4.6 (3K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/roughanimator-animation-app/id954718244/reviews)** | [4.3 (7 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/reference-board-mood-board/id6759159660/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **3K** | 7 |
| Positive reviews | **78.6% of reviews** | 63.6% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | **Every 4 days** |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Best chart rank | **#9** | #165 |
| Size | 31 MB | 23 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13** | 26.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Mac |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Jacob KAFKA](https://appshunter.io/developer/954718243) | [Jordan Ruchtie](https://appshunter.io/developer/1530155367) |

## What reviewers say

### RoughAnimator

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

**Currently charting:** #9 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)


### Reference Board

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/reference-board-mood-board/id6759159660)

**Currently charting:** #165 Top Paid · Graphics & Design (US App Store)

This app offers an infinite canvas for visually organizing thoughts and inspiration. Users can drop in various media types, arrange them freely, and zoom in or out to explore connections. Instant search functionality helps locate specific items across all boards.

**Highlights:** Infinite canvas, Visual idea organization, Supports images, videos, quotes, Freeform arrangement, Instant search, Zoom in/out functionality

**Features:** Safari Extension, Family Sharing, Vision Pro support, iPhone Duo support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Reference Pro | $5.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is RoughAnimator free?

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

### Is Reference Board free?

Reference Board costs $5.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, RoughAnimator or Reference Board?

RoughAnimator is rated higher. RoughAnimator averages 4.6 out of 5 from 3K ratings, while Reference Board averages 4.3 from 7 ratings.

### Do RoughAnimator or Reference Board have ads?

Neither RoughAnimator nor Reference Board shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, RoughAnimator or Reference Board?

RoughAnimator ships an update fortnightly, and Reference Board every 4 days. Most recently, RoughAnimator was updated on November 6, 2026 and Reference Board on November 5, 2026.

### Which is more popular, RoughAnimator or Reference Board?

RoughAnimator currently peaks at #9 in the App Store charts, and Reference Board at #165. 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.*