Best Sketching Tools Like Drawingapp Apps

249+ iOS apps curated and reviewed

4.2 avg rating
19 free apps
Updated October 2026

ibis Paint X is the household name in sketching tools like drawingapp, but it's far from the only option. We track 249+ alternatives and competitors on iOS β€” many free, many higher-rated than you'd expect.

Compare top Sketching Tools Like Drawingapp Apps (October 2026)

#AppPriceRatingAdsIn-App PurchasesUpdated
1ibis Paint Xibis Paint XFree4.7β˜… (302K)YesYesNov 2026
2Retrace: Learn How to DrawRetrace: Learn How to DrawFree5.0β˜… (1)YesYesOct 2026
323 Draw23 DrawFreeβ€”NoNoSep 2026
4Sketch Steps - Learn to DrawSketch Steps - Learn to DrawFree4.4β˜… (5)YesYesOct 2026
5Doodle Buddy Paint Draw AppDoodle Buddy Paint Draw AppFree4.7β˜… (16K)YesYesNov 2026
6My Sketch - Pencil SketchesMy Sketch - Pencil Sketches$3.994.8β˜… (13K)NoNoNov 2026
7DrawNova: AR Sketch TraceDrawNova: AR Sketch TraceFreeβ€”NoNoOct 2026
8Ankon: Draw & SketchAnkon: Draw & SketchFreeβ€”β€”NoOct 2026

Top Picks for Sketching Tools Like Drawingapp

ibis Paint X#1

ibis Paint X by ibis inc.

High-performance painting app
4.7😊(302K ratings)
FreeAdsIn-App Purchases
#7in Graphics & Design
ibis Paint X screenshot 1
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ibis Paint X screenshot 6

This app provides a comprehensive suite of illustration and animation tools for smartphones and tablets. It offers a vast array of brushes, materials, fonts, and filters, suitable for both beginners and experienced artists. Users can create everything from single illustrations to frame-by-frame animations and videos.

What We Love

  • πŸ’» Versatile drawing tools
  • 🎨 Wide variety of brushes
  • πŸ”“ Majority of features are free
  • πŸ•°οΈ Ability to unlock all brushes for a period of time with ads
  • πŸŽ₯ Automatic recording of drawing process
  • πŸ“š Helpful tutorials for beginners

Room to Improve

  • πŸ” Difficulty navigating layers and organization
  • πŸ”Š Music playback issues
  • πŸ’€ Occasional freezing and crashing
  • πŸ“’ Frequent ads that can interrupt workflow
  • πŸ”’ Limited functionality in free version
Retrace: Learn How to Draw#2

Retrace: Learn How to Draw by Aleksei Vorontsov

Drawing Lessons from Photos
Strong Contender
πŸ“š Education
5.0(1 ratings)
FreeAdsIn-App Purchases
Retrace: Learn How to Draw screenshot 1
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Retrace: Learn How to Draw screenshot 5

Learn to draw by tracing images onto real paper using your phone's camera. Convert photos into sketches, break them into steps, and follow guided lessons. Progress through levels and unlock premium features for enhanced learning.

More Sketching Tools Like Drawingapp apps to explore

FAQ about Sketching Tools Like Drawingapp

What are the best sketching tools like drawingapp apps for iPhone?
ibis Paint X tops our sketching tools like drawingapp apps ranking as of October 2026, with a 4.7-star average from 302K App Store ratings, and it's free to download.
Yes β€” 19 of the top sketching tools like drawingapp apps we rank are free to download, including ibis Paint X and Retrace: Learn How to Draw.
ibis Paint X shows ads and offers in-app purchases, according to its App Store listing as of October 2026.
We track 249+ sketching tools like drawingapp apps on the iOS App Store as of October 2026, ranked by rating, recency, and analysis of real user reviews.