Software Alternatives & Startups

PureRef VS Looka

Compare PureRef VS Looka and see what are their differences

PureRef

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

Rating
0 reviews
Looka

Make a logo you’ll love with Looka Logo Maker.

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Freemium $20 / One-off

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, PureRef should be more popular than Looka. It has been mentioned 4 times since March 2021.

social mentions
4 vs 2
Productivity popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
120 vs 240+

Base details

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

PureRef
Looka
Website pureref.com looka.com
Pricing —
Freemium $20 / One-off Official pricing
Platforms —
Windows iOS Browser Mac OSX Android Chrome OS +3
Company — Startup from Canada · 2016
Listed in

About PureRef and Looka

In their own words, as submitted to SaaSHub.

PureRef
Looka

No description of PureRef yet.

Looka combines your design preferences with AI to create a custom logo you'll love. You can then get marketing assets, build a website, and launch your business! Enter your company name and select the logo styles, colors, and symbols you like. Looka’s AI-powered logo maker will use these as...

Read more about Looka

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

PureRef 6 features
Looka 6 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.
  • Ease of Use
    Looka’s interface is user-friendly, making it easy for users with little to no design experience to create a professional-looking logo quickly.
  • AI-Driven Design
    The platform uses artificial intelligence to generate logo designs based on user preferences, ensuring a personalized experience.
  • Customization Options
    Users can customize various elements of the logo including colors, fonts, and layouts to suit their brand identity.
  • Variety of Templates
    Looka offers a wide range of logo templates catering to different industries and styles, providing ample choice to consumers.
  • Affordability
    Compared to hiring a professional designer, Looka provides a cost-effective solution for creating a logo.
  • Quick Download
    Users can download their logo instantly after purchase, allowing for immediate use in branding.

Possible disadvantages

  • Limited Revisions
    Once a logo is finalized and paid for, the ability to make further edits without additional charges is restricted.
  • Quality Variability
    The quality of AI-generated logos can sometimes be inconsistent, requiring users to spend extra time tweaking designs.
  • Copyright Concerns
    Although logos are unique, there may still be concerns about the originality and potential copyright issues since the designs come from templates.
  • Dependency on Templates
    While templates are convenient, they may limit creativity and result in logos that are less distinctive.
  • Additional Costs
    While initial logo generation may be affordable, additional features such as vector files or brand kits come at an extra cost.
  • Limited Support
    Customer support may be limited compared to dedicated design services, potentially leading to longer turnaround times for assistance.

Analysis

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

PureRef
Looka

No analysis of PureRef yet.

Overall verdict

  • Looka is a good option for those who need a quick and affordable branding solution. Its AI-driven platform is user-friendly and provides a wide array of creative possibilities, though it may not fully replace the quality and creativity a professional designer could offer for more complex projects.

Why this product is good

  • Looka is a logo design and branding tool that utilizes artificial intelligence to assist users in creating custom logos and branding materials with ease and efficiency. It offers a range of design options and customization features, making it accessible for individuals and small businesses who may not have design expertise or resources to hire a professional designer.

Recommended for

  • Small business owners
  • Entrepreneurs
  • Startups
  • Individuals looking for DIY logo design solutions
  • Anyone seeking fast and cost-effective branding tools

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

PureRef 3 videos + Add
Looka 6 videos + Add

The Best Free Tool for Artists - PureRef

More videos

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

Looka Logo Maker Review + Easy Tutorial

More videos

  • - Logo Tutorial: How to Design a Logo in Under 5 Minutes Using Looka
  • - How to Design and Download Premium Logos on Looka For Free
  • - Looka Review 2024: Unbiased Pros and Cons | Is it Worth the Price?
  • - Looka AI Review | Is It The Best AI Logo Generator? (2024)
  • - Looka Review 2025: Is It The Best Free AI Software For Logo Design And Brand Identity?

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
Looka
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
0% 0%
6% 6%
94% 94%

User comments

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

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Reviews and articles

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

PureRef no reviews yet
Looka no reviews yet

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

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Social recommendations and mentions

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

PureRef 4 mentions
Looka 2 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

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  • Store Review
    You absolutely need a logo that is more than just the letter T, which you've indicated you're already working on. If your designer doesn't come through, another way way to quickly create a decent logo is with this tool:... Source: almost 5 years ago
  • Need help coming up with a social networking handle
    Logo-wise, it can be a similar time-consuming activity. Try using a logo maker to speed up the process or at least get a vision for what your logo should look like. You can always rebrand as your business grows or diversifies. Source: over 5 years ago

Alternatives to PureRef and Looka

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