Software Alternatives & Startups

PureRef VS Ultima

Compare PureRef VS Ultima and see what are their differences

PureRef

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

Rating
0 reviews
Ultima

750+ free illustrations for creative projects

Rating
0 reviews

Which is more popular?

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

social mentions
4 vs 1
Productivity popularity
63% vs 37%
alternatives listed
120 vs 85

Base details

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

PureRef
Ultima
Website pureref.com ultima.storytale.io
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

PureRef 6 features
Ultima 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.
  • Design Quality
    Ultima offers high-quality and visually appealing UI components that can give your projects a professional look.
  • Customization
    The platform allows for extensive customization, making it easier to adapt components to fit your specific design needs.
  • Time Efficiency
    By utilizing pre-made UI components, developers can save significant time in the design and development process.
  • Documentation
    Ultima provides comprehensive documentation that can facilitate easier implementation and troubleshooting.
  • Responsive Design
    The components are designed to be responsive, ensuring compatibility across various devices and screen sizes.

Possible disadvantages

  • Cost
    Some users may find the pricing model to be expensive, especially for smaller projects or startups.
  • Learning Curve
    Despite having documentation, there may be a learning curve for new users to effectively utilize the platform's features.
  • Integration Limitations
    There might be limitations in integrating Ultima with certain backend technologies or other third-party tools.
  • Overhead
    Using pre-made components can sometimes add unnecessary overhead to smaller projects, impacting performance.
  • Dependency
    Relying on a third-party library or tool may increase dependency risks, such as needing to adapt to updates or changes in the platform.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

PureRef 3 videos + Add
Ultima 3 videos + Add

The Best Free Tool for Artists - PureRef

More videos

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

Ultima III Retrospective | Origins & Exoduses

More videos

  • - Ultima V Retrospective | The Tyranny of Virtue
  • - Ultima - Complete Review Series

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
Ultima
63% 63%
37% 37%
30% 30%
70% 70%
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%

User comments

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

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Social recommendations and mentions

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

PureRef 4 mentions
Ultima 1 mention
  • 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

  • 2023 Awesome UI/UX Design freebies #figma #adobexd #sketch
    Resources mentioned: 1. Resume Templates- https://craftwork.design/downloads/resume-templates/ 2. Ultima- https://ultima.storytale.io/ 3. Clickons- https://craftwork.design/downloads/clickons/ 4. Scratches-... Source: over 3 years ago

Alternatives to PureRef and Ultima

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