Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

PureRef VS pxCode

Compare PureRef VS pxCode and see what are their differences

PureRef logo PureRef

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

pxCode logo pxCode

From design to code, your fastest choice for a responsive webpage
  • PureRef Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-10-23
  • pxCode Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-07

PureRef features and specs

  • 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 usersโ€™ 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 of PureRef

  • 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.

pxCode features and specs

  • User-friendly Interface
    pxCode offers a drag-and-drop interface that allows designers and developers to collaborate efficiently without requiring deep programming knowledge. This makes it accessible for both technical and non-technical team members.
  • Responsive Design
    The platform provides tools to create responsive and adaptable designs, ensuring compatibility across various devices and screen sizes, which enhances user experience.
  • Code Export
    pxCode allows users to export clean, production-ready code in different frameworks, facilitating easier integration into existing projects.
  • Collaboration Features
    It has features that enable real-time collaboration, making it easy for teams to work together on design and development tasks simultaneously.
  • Design and Development Integration
    pxCode bridges the gap between design and development by allowing seamless transitions from design to code, reducing the time and effort needed in web development.

Possible disadvantages of pxCode

  • Learning Curve
    While pxCode is designed to be user-friendly, new users might experience a learning curve, especially if they are unfamiliar with design-to-code tools.
  • Limited Customization
    Certain customization options may be limited compared to traditional hand-coding, which might restrict the ability of developers to implement highly complex or bespoke solutions.
  • Pricing
    pxCode may have pricing tiers that could be expensive for small businesses or freelancers, limiting access to its full range of features.
  • Internet Dependency
    The platform requires a stable internet connection to utilize its web-based features, which could be a drawback for teams with limited internet access.
  • Integration Limitations
    While pxCode offers code export functionality, integrating these exports into some existing complex environments might require additional configuration or adjustments.

Analysis of pxCode

Overall verdict

  • pxCode is a solid design-to-code tool that helps developers and designers convert Figma or image designs into responsive, production-ready front-end code, making it a good choice for teams looking to speed up UI development.

Why this product is good

  • Converts Figma designs and images into clean HTML, CSS, and framework-ready code
  • Supports popular frameworks like React, Vue, and responsive layouts with Flexbox/Grid
  • Reduces manual coding time and bridges the gap between designers and developers
  • Offers editable output so developers retain control over the final code
  • Streamlines the front-end workflow and improves collaboration

Recommended for

  • Front-end developers who want to accelerate UI implementation
  • Designers looking to hand off designs as usable code
  • Startups and small teams needing to build interfaces quickly
  • Agencies handling multiple client projects with tight deadlines
  • Teams wanting to improve designer-developer collaboration

PureRef videos

The Best Free Tool for Artists - PureRef

More videos:

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

pxCode videos

Turn Figma Design to HTML Code Using pxCode Plugin

More videos:

  • Review - The FASTEST TOOL to build a Responsive Webpage - Case Study 2 w/ pxCode [No Hand-Coding]

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to PureRef and pxCode)
Productivity
87 87%
13% 13
Web Development
0 0%
100% 100
Digital Asset Management
100 100%
0% 0
Web Tools
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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

Based on our record, PureRef seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 4 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

PureRef mentions (4)

  • 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 for online backups. 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: about 4 years ago
  • Hide user name in menu bar.
    If you canโ€™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. Change the color and opacity to whatever you want, lock the window and switch turn on the transparent to mouse option and you should be good to go! Source: over 4 years ago
  • Hello Reddit! this is my 1st time posting and i'm excited to share some of my sketches with you guys. I like drawing dynamic poses, it's a really fun exercise!. These 4 girls are from reference pics out of Pinterest. Suggestions are welcome :D. Have a great day!
    The high kicking girl on the right is in a PureRef board I keep to practice gesture. Source: almost 5 years ago

pxCode mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of pxCode yet. Tracking of pxCode recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

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

Eagle App - Unify your creative inspiration in one place. Store anything โ€“ inspiring images, design mockups, illustrations, screenshots and more.

Milanote - Milanote is a note taking app for creative work.

Pinterest - Pinterest is a visual discovery tool that you can use to find ideas for all your projects and interests.

BeeRef - A Simple Reference Image Viewer

Kuadro - Kuadro is an image viewer that allows you to open as many windows as you want, lay them out as you...

Adobe Bridge - Download Adobe Bridge CC digital asset management software when you get started with Adobe Creative Cloud. Start your free trial today.