Software Alternatives & Startups

PureRef VS iMazing

Compare PureRef VS iMazing and see what are their differences

PureRef

The simple way to view and organize your multiple reference images.

Rating
0 reviews
iMazing

iMazing lets you transfer music, files, messages, apps and more from any iPhone, iPad, or iPod to a computer, Mac or PC. Manage and backup your iOS device simply without iTunes. (was DiskAid)

Rating
0 reviews
Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, iMazing seems to be a lot more popular than PureRef. While we know about 142 links to iMazing, we've tracked only 4 mentions of PureRef.

social mentions
4 vs 142
Productivity popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
120 vs 147

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

PureRef
iMazing
Website pureref.com imazing.com
Company — Startup from Switzerland · 10 - 19 employees
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

PureRef 6 features
iMazing 5 features
  • User-Friendly Interface
    PureRef offers a simple and intuitive interface that makes it easy to organize and manage reference images. The minimalistic design allows users to focus on their work without unnecessary distractions.
  • Lightweight and Portable
    The software is lightweight and does not require installation, making it highly portable. Users can run PureRef from a USB drive or any location on their computer.
  • Flexible Canvas
    PureRef provides a flexible canvas that can be easily resized and adjusted to fit users’ needs. This allows for seamless scaling of images without quality loss and the ability to organize the workspace freely.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    PureRef is available on Windows, macOS, and Linux, allowing users to maintain a consistent workflow across different operating systems.
  • Customizable Shortcuts
    Users can customize keyboard shortcuts to fit their workflow, which increases efficiency and speeds up navigation within the software.
  • Multiple Image Formats
    PureRef supports a wide range of image formats, ensuring compatibility with most reference images beyond basic formats like JPG and PNG.

Possible disadvantages

  • Limited Editing Tools
    While PureRef excels in organizing and displaying reference images, it lacks advanced editing tools, which means users need to rely on other software for image adjustments or annotations.
  • No Cloud Integration
    PureRef does not offer built-in cloud storage or syncing options, which could be inconvenient for users who work across multiple devices and want seamless access to their reference boards.
  • Learning Curve for Advanced Features
    While basic functionalities are easy to grasp, some advanced features and keyboard shortcuts may require time to learn and master, particularly for users new to PureRef.
  • Not Free for All Users
    Although PureRef offers a pay-what-you-want pricing model, users may face ethical dilemmas or budget constraints when deciding what to pay, especially if they plan to use it for professional purposes.
  • Occasional Performance Issues
    Some users report occasional lag or performance issues when handling extremely large collections of high-resolution images, which can disrupt workflow.
  • User-friendly Interface
    iMazing offers a straightforward and easy-to-navigate interface, making it simple for users to manage their iOS devices.
  • Data Backup and Transfer
    The software provides robust options for backing up and transferring data between iOS devices, or from iOS devices to a computer.
  • Flexible File Management
    Users can manage files on their iOS devices with flexibility, including copying, moving, and deleting files in a manner similar to traditional file explorers.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    iMazing is available for both macOS and Windows, making it accessible to a wide range of users.
  • Advanced Backup Features
    It offers advanced backup features such as incremental backups, backup encryption, and the ability to browse and extract specific items from backups.

Possible disadvantages

  • Cost
    iMazing is a paid software, and the cost may be a drawback for some users when compared to free alternatives.
  • Performance Issues
    Some users have reported performance issues such as slow transfer speeds, especially when dealing with large files or backups.
  • Limited Free Version
    The free version of iMazing comes with significant limitations, which may not be sufficient for users looking for comprehensive device management.
  • Learning Curve
    Despite its user-friendly interface, there can be a learning curve for users who are not familiar with managing iOS devices via third-party software.
  • Occasional Bugs
    Users have occasionally reported encountering bugs and issues that could affect the reliability of data transfer and backup processes.

Analysis

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

PureRef
iMazing

No analysis of PureRef yet.

Overall verdict

  • iMazing is a well-regarded tool for anyone looking to have greater control over their iOS device management. It offers a range of features that cater to both casual users and those needing more advanced capabilities, making it a strong alternative to Apple's built-in solutions.

Why this product is good

  • iMazing is often considered a good choice for managing iOS devices due to its user-friendly interface, robust features, and flexibility. It allows users to transfer data, backup, and manage their iOS devices without relying on iTunes. It also provides comprehensive options for managing files, photos, messages, and app data.

Recommended for

  • Users who need to transfer data between their computer and iOS devices.
  • Individuals looking for an easy backup solution for their iPhone or iPad.
  • People who want to access and manage iOS device files without iTunes.
  • Users requiring advanced functionalities like exporting messages or accessing app data.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

PureRef 3 videos + Add
iMazing 3 videos + Add

The Best Free Tool for Artists - PureRef

More videos

  • - PureRef tutorial: a free, cross-platform virtual board for artists!
  • - PureRef Review

iMazing | Review

More videos

  • - iMazing 2
  • - iMazing for Mac & PC - Export Music, SMS, & Voicemail from iPhone or iPod

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
PureRef
iMazing
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%

User comments

Share your experience with using PureRef and iMazing. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

Log in or Post with

Reviews and articles

External articles and on-site reviews we used to compare the two products.

PureRef no reviews yet
iMazing no reviews yet

We have no reviews of PureRef yet. Be the first one to post

View more

Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

PureRef 4 mentions
iMazing 142 mentions
  • how do u guys organize your visual inspiration/refs digitally?
    I mainly use offline means: organising all my files in a hierarchy of folders and using pureref (which I highly recommend) to make moodboards, and ofc an external hard drive to save backups. The only online means I use is google drive... Source: about 4 years ago
  • HELP! So I want to trace this Image(704x702) into a Pixel art (32 x 32 or 40 x 40) but when I resize it, it gets like this (2nd picture) and if I don't, then the pixels are too small, What do i do?
    If you just want the image to be a transparent overlay while you draw 'through the image'(with it being unchanged) you can use something like Pureref(pureref.com) to set the image as always on top + turn opacity down a bit. Source: over 4 years ago
  • Hide user name in menu bar.
    If you can’t get it to work inside of max, I thought of a free easy workaround you could try. I use the software pureref to manage and quickly access reference images. You could just resize an empty pureref window to cover your username.... Source: over 4 years ago

View more

  • Updates to Full Disk Access in macOS
    > like how there are no third-party iPhone/iPad backup apps. I might be missing something but isn't this exactly what iMazing[0] is? I know I use it to backup my iPhone, for example. [0] https://imazing.com. - Source: Hacker News / about 10 hours ago
  • Beeper is giving up on its iMessage dream
    Https://imazing.com/ can do it, but yes, would be nice if it was built in photos and videos and notes you can bulk download from https://privacy.apple.com/ - like google takeout, takes several days believe they mail you a link to the zip. - Source: Hacker News / almost 3 years ago
  • Checklist of things to do after Apple ID stolen
    For you phone, consider buying an iMazing license to do a complete back up and transfer any Music or playlists locked in Apple Music. Source: almost 3 years ago

View more

Alternatives to PureRef and iMazing

When comparing PureRef and iMazing, you can also consider the following products.