Pixfun vs UNICORN Color by Number: Price and Features
Pick by how you like to pay. UNICORN Color by Number is a polished pixel coloring app with years of updates behind it, but its plans run $2.99 to $9.99 per week — over $150 a year at the cheapest weekly rate. Pixfun (free to download on iOS and Android) offers the same cozy color-by-number play for $39.99 a year, or $9.99 once for no ads, and adds AI puzzle generation.
Updated
| Feature | Pixfun | UNICORN Color by Number |
|---|---|---|
| Art type | Color-by-number pixel grids, tap to fill | Color-by-number pixel grids |
| Library size | 1,000+ curated artworks in 15 categories | Large, long-established catalog |
| AI generation | Yes — type a prompt, get a new puzzle in about a minute, 10 styles | No prompt-based AI generation |
| Photo import | Yes — photo becomes a colorable pixel puzzle | Yes, with a difficulty slider |
| Pricing model | Free download; Pro at $3.49/week, $7.99/month, or $39.99/year | Free download; $2.99 to $9.99 per week, $19.99/month, $49.99/year, plus booster purchases |
| Free trial | 7-day trial on yearly, 3-day on weekly | 3-day trials on weekly plans |
| Ads | On the free tier; removed by Pro | Yes; reviews frequently mention ads even when resuming the app |
| One-time no-ads option | $9.99 once removes interstitial and banner ads forever | None listed; subscriptions and booster purchases instead |
| Calm design | No timers, no move limits | Relaxed coloring; users report lag and unregistered taps |
| Platforms | iOS and Android — free download | iOS and Android |
Choose Pixfun if…
- You want one clear yearly price — $39.99 with a 7-day free trial — instead of weekly billing that quietly adds up
- You would rather pay $9.99 once to remove ads than subscribe at all
- You want to type a prompt and color a puzzle no one else has, in any of 10 AI styles
- You like a quiet pace: no timers, no move limits, three grid sizes from Easy 32×32 to Hard 96×96
Choose UNICORN Color by Number if…
- You trust years of accumulated store reviews — Pixfun is new on the stores and its ratings are still building
- Time-lapse replay videos of your coloring matter to you; they are genuinely fun to share
- You want a bigger, long-established library from a studio that has shipped for years
- You want fine control over photo-puzzle difficulty with a slider rather than preset sizes
How much does UNICORN Color by Number really cost per year?
More than the sticker suggests. UNICORN's weekly plans run $2.99 to $9.99 with 3-day trials — kept going for a year, that is roughly $155 to over $500. There is also a $19.99 monthly plan, a $49.99 yearly plan, and booster in-app purchases on top. Reviews frequently mention frustration with the weekly billing model. Pixfun keeps the math simpler: Pro is $39.99/year with a 7-day free trial, $7.99/month, or $3.49/week for a short run. And if all you want is ad-free coloring, one $9.99 purchase removes interstitial and banner ads forever. Prices are USD, set by the app stores, and may vary by region.
Is Pixfun free to play?
Yes. Pixfun is free to download, with 1,000+ curated artworks across 15 categories and a color-by-number core that never adds a timer or move limit. The free tier shows ads and watermarks; Pixfun Pro ($3.49/week, $7.99/month, or $39.99/year with a 7-day free trial) unlocks every artwork, removes ads and watermarks, and includes monthly AI credits and coins. Prefer not to subscribe? A one-time $9.99 purchase removes interstitial and banner ads for good — rewarded ads stay optional for bonus coins. Pixfun is available now on the App Store and Google Play.
Which app has better AI features?
This one is one-sided: UNICORN Color by Number does not generate art from prompts. Pixfun's AI Studio does. Type anything — "A brown owl peeking out of a hollow" — and about a minute later you get a brand-new colorable pixel puzzle. Ten styles cover Classic, Kawaii, 8-Bit Retro, Cyberpunk, Fantasy, Anime, Pastel, Noir, Nature, and Cartoon. A "Surprise me" dice rolls a random prompt, prompts are enhanced automatically, and you can remove backgrounds with a toggle. Each generation costs one AI credit; Pro includes a monthly batch. To be fair, UNICORN's photo import with a difficulty slider is a strong creative tool of its own — it is just not prompt-based.
Which is better for turning photos into puzzles?
Both apps turn photos into colorable pixel puzzles, and UNICORN does it well. Its difficulty slider lets you fine-tune how detailed the puzzle gets, which is a genuinely nice touch. Pixfun converts a camera or library photo into a puzzle too, and you pick from three set sizes: Easy 32×32, Medium 64×64, or Hard 96×96. If you want granular control over detail, UNICORN's slider gives you more room to dial it in. If you want a quick, predictable choice — small, medium, or large — Pixfun keeps it simple. Call this one close, with a slight edge to UNICORN on flexibility.
Which app is more relaxing?
Relaxation is the whole point of pixel coloring, and both apps aim for it. Pixfun is built around calm: no timers, no move limits, tap-to-fill numbered pixels, and a gentle loop of daily streaks, coins, and levels with Pixie the pixel cat along for the ride. UNICORN's coloring is relaxing too, and its time-lapse replays make finishing a piece feel like a small event. That said, reviews frequently mention lag, unregistered taps, and ads appearing even when you just resume the app — small interruptions that work against the mood. Pixfun's free tier has ads as well, but a single $9.99 purchase clears them permanently.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I download Pixfun?
Pixfun is on the App Store and Google Play, for both iOS and Android. It is free to download, you can play anonymously from the first tap, and optional sign-in with Apple, Google, or email syncs your progress across devices.
Does Pixfun have time-lapse replays like UNICORN?
No. Time-lapse replay videos are a UNICORN strength, and they are genuinely fun for sharing finished pieces. Pixfun puts its energy elsewhere: AI Studio for generating new puzzles from any prompt, photo-to-pixel conversion, and a calm, no-pressure coloring flow. If replays are your favorite part, UNICORN keeps that edge.
Can I use Pixfun without a subscription?
Yes. Pixfun is free to download and play, with daily coin claims and optional rewarded ads for bonus coins. A one-time $9.99 purchase removes interstitial and banner ads forever — no subscription needed. Pro is only required if you want every artwork unlocked, no watermarks, and monthly AI credits.
Why do UNICORN users complain about the price?
The weekly model adds up quietly. Plans run $2.99 to $9.99 per week — kept for a year, that is roughly $155 to over $500 — and reviews frequently mention frustration when a 3-day trial rolls into weekly billing. UNICORN does offer a $49.99 yearly plan, which softens the math considerably.
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