# GradientMaker vs Text on Photo Lite

The clearest difference is rating: Text on Photo Lite at 4.8 against GradientMaker's 3.7. Text on Photo Lite also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1) and update cadence (every 3 months vs every 32 months). GradientMaker's advantage is review sentiment (100% vs 72%) and device support (3 vs 1). On price and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. GradientMaker sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Text on Photo Lite asks for nothing beyond the download.

Text on Photo Lite holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Text on Photo Lite has 6.9K ratings behind it against 9, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 100% of GradientMaker's written reviews are positive against 72% of Text on Photo Lite's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

GradientMaker ships an update every 32 months, Text on Photo Lite every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and October 21, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | GradientMaker | Text on Photo Lite |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.7 (9 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gradientmaker-pro-image-fx/id984991828/reviews) | **[4.8 (6.9K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/text-on-photo-lite/id1033009631/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 9 | **6.9K** |
| Positive reviews | **100.0% of reviews** | 72.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 32 months | **Every 3 months** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Ad-supported** |
| Size | 27 MB | 31 MB |
| Requires iOS | **8.1** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [orbosphere](https://appshunter.io/developer/557069087) | [handyCloset Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/434388697) |

## What reviewers say

### GradientMaker

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gradientmaker-pro-image-fx/id984991828)

Create stunning color gradients and blur effects for photos and wallpapers. Customize colors with an advanced picker and import images to apply unique effects. Save creations in wallpaper or full image sizes.

**Highlights:** Customizable color gradients, Adjustable blur effects, Import photos for customization, Wallpaper creation mode, Random gradient generation, Dual sizing modes

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Remove Ads | $0.99 | one-time |


### Text on Photo Lite

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/text-on-photo-lite/id1033009631)

Easily add decorated text to your photos. Customize fonts, colors, shadows, and outlines. Add multiple text elements to a single image and resize, rotate, or move them as needed.

**Highlights:** Add multiple texts, Variety of fonts, Text outlines, Shadow editing, Resize and rotate text

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Simple and easy to use
- 💡 Flexible and versatile
- 🚀 Quick and efficient
- 😊 Great app overall

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes and freezes
- 💸 Excessive ads and in-app purchases
- 🔍 Lack of customization options
- 🤔 Confusing interface at times

**Reported bugs**

- Inability to exit ads or return to app
- Text quality degradation when saving images
- Compatibility issues with older devices

**Requested features**

- More font and text style options
- Ability to adjust text size and positioning
- Option to remove ads or purchase ad-free version
- Improved stability and performance


## Frequently asked questions

### Is GradientMaker free?

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

### Is Text on Photo Lite free?

Text on Photo Lite is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, GradientMaker or Text on Photo Lite?

Text on Photo Lite is rated higher. GradientMaker averages 3.7 out of 5 from 9 ratings, while Text on Photo Lite averages 4.8 from 6.9K ratings.

### Do GradientMaker or Text on Photo Lite have ads?

Both GradientMaker and Text on Photo Lite show ads.

### Which is updated more often, GradientMaker or Text on Photo Lite?

GradientMaker ships an update every 32 months, and Text on Photo Lite every 3 months. Most recently, GradientMaker was updated on October 1, 2026 and Text on Photo Lite on October 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.*