Customer Reviews (100)

Ernie 98 • 2025-03-24T22:44:16.219Z

The apps are amazing but I recently discovered a glitch, when I try to undo a line or color, it resets back from the beginning. So please can you look into it, thank you.

Kira Tompkins • 2025-03-22T16:13:44.250Z

I'm not sure what everyone below is talking about. This app isn't the same as the free version at all. I would know cos I've actually been using that for years. For a one-time payment of $15 and monthly sub of less than $3 for all the bells and whistles, it's definitely worth it. This version allows for Animation as well as a Reference Window you can use while you draw and has Way more Materials to use. Anyone who says it's the same app obviously used it for two seconds and then quit. 🤡

Sanskriti Soni • 2025-03-20T15:19:15.531Z

this is lovely drawing app best

Summary of Key Insights

ibis Paint is a popular drawing app with a large feature set, but user reviews reveal a mixed reception, particularly regarding the paid version and subscription model. While many users praise its functionality and suitability for both beginners and professionals, a significant number express frustration over the perceived lack of value in the paid version compared to the free version, and the continued need for a subscription to unlock premium features. Stability issues, such as crashes and glitches, are also recurring concerns.

Key Strengths: Versatile drawing tools, large brush library, suitable for beginners and professionals, active community and tutorials.

Key Weaknesses: Perceived lack of value in the paid version, aggressive subscription model locking core features, stability issues (crashes, glitches), confusing feature access (paid vs. subscription), limited brush customization, laggy performance with certain tools (zoom, transform, blur), issues with the bucket tool.

Overall Sentiment: Mixed. While many users love the app, there is significant frustration surrounding the monetization strategy and stability.

Quantitative Metrics:

  • Overall Rating (based on provided data): Weighted average of approximately 4.07 stars (calculated from the score distribution).
  • Score Distribution:
    • 5-star: 50%
    • 4-star: 17%
    • 3-star: 15%
    • 2-star: 7%
    • 1-star: 11%

Data & Methodology Overview

  • Data Sample Size: 100 reviews
  • Time Frame: Not specified, but assumed to be recent based on the content of the reviews.
  • Analysis Methods:
    • Sentiment Analysis (qualitative assessment based on review content)
    • Keyword Extraction (identification of frequently mentioned issues and features)
    • Frequency Analysis (counting occurrences of specific themes and requests)

Key User Pain Points

  • Confusing Paid vs. Subscription Model: Many users are unhappy that purchasing the app doesn't unlock all premium features, which are still locked behind a subscription. This is perceived as deceptive advertising.
    • Impact: Leads to frustration, negative reviews, and users seeking alternative apps or "modded" versions.
  • Stability Issues (Crashes & Glitches): Frequent crashes during drawing, especially with multiple layers or high-resolution canvases, and glitches with specific tools (e.g., bucket tool) disrupt the creative process.
    • Impact: Loss of work, frustration, and reduced productivity.
  • Lack of Value in Paid Version: Users feel the paid version only removes ads and doesn't offer enough additional value compared to the free version, considering the price.
    • Impact: Regret over purchasing the app, negative reviews.
  • Limited Brush Customization: Some users find the brush customization options insufficient.
    • Impact: Limits artistic expression and workflow.
  • Laggy Performance: Zooming, transforming, and using the blur tool can be laggy, hindering precision and efficiency.
    • Impact: Frustration and difficulty in creating detailed artwork.
  • Authorization Issues: Some users report problems with license authorization, preventing them from opening the app after purchase.
    • Impact: Complete inability to use the app, leading to refund requests and negative reviews.
  • Eye Dropper Inaccuracy: Some users report the eye dropper tool becoming inaccurate after updates.
    • Impact: Inability to accurately color match.
  • Saving Video Issues: Some users are unable to save speed paints or animations.
    • Impact: Loss of ability to share their process.
  • Forced Social Media Integration: Requiring users to join social media to unlock custom brush features is unwelcome.
    • Impact: Negative user experience and feeling of being forced into socialization.

Frequently Requested Features

  • Animating to Audio: The ability to add music or audio to animations.
  • Infinite Zoom/Infinite Paper: A canvas that can be zoomed in infinitely without pixelation.
  • Folders for Artwork (Free): Making folders for organizing artwork a free feature.
  • Better Fill Tool: An auto-fill feature integrated with the brush, similar to the one in the 'Concept: Sketch, Note, Draw' app.
  • Brush Creation Tool Using Images: A tool to create custom brushes using images, shapes, or drawings.
  • More Login Options: More login options besides Facebook, Twitter and Apple.

Strengths and Positive Aspects

  • Versatile Drawing Tools: The app offers a wide range of brushes and tools suitable for various art styles.
  • Large Brush Library: Users appreciate the extensive collection of brushes available.
  • Suitable for Beginners and Professionals: The app is considered accessible to beginners while still offering advanced features for professionals.
  • Easy to Use: Many users find the app intuitive and easy to learn.
  • Active Community and Tutorials: The YouTube channel and SNS features provide valuable learning resources.
  • Good Interface: The interface is generally considered user-friendly.
  • Animation Features: The animation capabilities are appreciated by users who create animations.
  • No Ads (Paid Version): Users who purchase the paid version appreciate the ad-free experience.

Prioritized Action Recommendations

High Priority:

  • Revamp Monetization Strategy: Re-evaluate the paid version and subscription model. Consider offering more value in the paid version upfront or making the subscription optional for specific advanced features, not essential tools. Clearly communicate the differences between the paid app and the subscription.
  • Address Stability Issues: Prioritize bug fixes and performance improvements to resolve crashes, glitches, and lag, especially with the bucket tool, zoom/transform tools, and on high-resolution canvases. Implement thorough testing before releasing updates.
  • Fix Authorization Issues: Resolve the license authorization problems preventing users from opening the app after purchase.
  • Improve Communication: Clearly explain the features included in the paid version versus the subscription.

Medium Priority:

  • Enhance Brush Customization: Expand brush customization options to provide greater control over brush behavior and appearance.
  • Optimize Performance: Improve performance on lower-end devices and when using resource-intensive tools.
  • Address Eye Dropper Inaccuracy: Fix the issue with the eye dropper tool becoming inaccurate after updates.
  • Resolve Saving Video Issues: Investigate and fix the issues preventing users from saving speed paints and animations.

Low Priority:

  • Add More Login Options: Consider adding more login options besides Facebook and Twitter.
  • Implement Requested Features: Evaluate and implement popular feature requests such as animating to audio, infinite zoom, and a better fill tool, prioritizing those that align with the app's core functionality and target audience.
  • Reconsider Forced Social Media Integration: Evaluate the requirement to join social media for custom brush features.

Opportunities for Startup Ideas

  • Subscription Tier Differentiation: Offer different subscription tiers based on storage capacity and feature access, allowing users to choose a plan that meets their specific needs.
  • Cloud Storage Alternatives: Allow users to connect their own cloud storage (e.g., Google Drive, Dropbox) instead of relying solely on the ibis Paint cloud.
  • Community-Driven Brush Marketplace: Create a marketplace where users can share and sell custom brushes, fostering a community and providing a revenue stream for artists.
  • AI-Powered Assistance: Integrate AI-powered features such as automatic colorization, line art cleanup, and style transfer to enhance the creative process.

Trends and Observations

  • Negative Sentiment Towards Subscription Model: There is a clear trend of negative sentiment directed towards the subscription model, with users feeling nickel-and-dimed for features that should be included in the paid version.
  • Stability as a Recurring Concern: Stability issues (crashes, glitches) are consistently mentioned across multiple reviews, indicating a persistent problem.
  • Comparison to Other Apps: Users frequently compare ibis Paint to other art apps like Procreate, MediBang, and Infinite Painter, highlighting areas where ibis Paint falls short.
  • Desire for Professional Features: Users are looking for features that cater to professional artists, such as more advanced brush customization, animation tools, and file management options.

Conclusion

ibis Paint is a powerful drawing app with a large user base, but its monetization strategy and stability issues are hindering its potential. Addressing the concerns surrounding the paid version and subscription model, prioritizing bug fixes, and implementing requested features are crucial for improving user satisfaction and retaining users. A more transparent and user-friendly approach to monetization, combined with a focus on stability and performance, will position ibis Paint as a leading choice for digital artists on Android.

Original App Link

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=jp.ne.ibis.ibispaint.app