Coloring apps have become increasingly popular in recent years as a fun and relaxing activity for both children and adults. Unlike traditional coloring books which require physical art supplies, coloring apps allow users to color intricate designs and pictures digitally using their smartphone, tablet, or computer. This raises an interesting question – are there coloring apps that actually let you color the pictures, or are they just displaying pre-colored images?
In this article, we will explore some of the top coloring apps on the market and evaluate whether users are truly doing the coloring themselves or if it is simulated coloring. We will also provide some tips on how to identify apps that give users a genuine coloring experience versus those that don’t. With so many coloring apps available, it can be hard to discern which ones will provide an authentic digital coloring experience.
Types of Coloring Apps
Broadly speaking, coloring apps fall into two main categories in terms of user coloring functionality:
Pre-Colored Apps
These types of coloring apps have pictures that are already filled in with color. Users are unable to alter the colors or actually do any coloring themselves. Pre-colored apps may allow users to zoom in on intricate designs or select different color palettes, but the underlying image remains static. These apps focus more on display than active creation.
Coloring Simulation Apps
Coloring simulation apps provide users with coloring tools and unlocked images that they can fill in with color themselves. These tools may include digital versions of crayons, markers, paint brushes, and other traditional coloring implements. The key differentiation is that the user actively makes color choices to create a finished piece.
Top Coloring Apps Review
Now let’s take a look at some top coloring apps and evaluate their coloring functionality:
Happy Color – Paint by Number
Happy Color is one of the most popular coloring apps with over 100 million downloads worldwide. At first glance, Happy Color appears to be a coloring simulation app. It provides numbered outlines of images and a palette of different colors to choose from. Users can zoom in on images and fill in the numbers with designated colors.
However, on closer inspection it becomes clear that the app is actually pre-colored. No matter what colors the user chooses, the image will revert to a pre-set color scheme. The coloring tools are just for show. So ultimately this app does not offer true coloring capability despite initial appearances.
Pigment – Adult Coloring Book
Pigment is a highly-rated coloring app for adults. It provides intricate designs, mandalas, patterns, and artwork to color. The app includes a vast array of coloring tools including colored pencils, markers, crayons, and paint brushes.
When you select a tool and color over a portion of the image, you can see the colors take effect instantly. Pigment gives full creative freedom to color the images however you like. The app qualifies as a coloring simulation app, giving users a real digital coloring experience.
Colorfy: Coloring Art Games
Colorfy is a popular free coloring app with a wide selection of images separated into different categories and complexity levels. At first glance, it appears that users can select colors and fill in the images.
However, similar to Happy Color, the colors will automatically change to preset palettes no matter what colors are selected by the user. So Colorfy also falls into the pre-colored app category without true coloring functionality. The coloring tools are decorative rather than functional.
| App | Category |
|---|---|
| Happy Color | Pre-colored |
| Pigment | Coloring simulation |
| Colorfy | Pre-colored |
Tips for Evaluating Coloring Apps
Based on our app reviews, here are some tips to determine if a coloring app offers real coloring capability or just pre-colored images:
– Test the coloring tools – Do the colors you select actually fill in the images? Or do they switch back to a preset palette?
– Look for “color by number” or “paint-by-number” – These keywords often indicate pre-set color mappings.
– Try coloring out of the lines – If your coloring stays contained in the outlines, it’s likely pre-colored.
– Read recent reviews – Look for user reviews complaining about lack of coloring freedom.
– Avoid perfection – Apps that advertise perfect paintings or drawings likely don’t allow free coloring.
– Start with free apps – Don’t waste money on an app before testing its coloring functionality.
– Look for ads – Ads and in-app purchases may compensate for lack of real content.
By following these tips, you can better evaluate coloring apps to determine if they provide an authentic, customizable coloring experience versus displaying pre-fabricated images.
Recommended Apps for Coloring
Based on user reviews and hands-on testing, here are some recommended coloring apps that give full creative freedom:
Recolor – Adult Coloring Book
Recolor features intricate adult coloring pages, great coloring tool options, and most importantly, the ability to color images however you want. Users mention the vibrant color selections and constantly updated artwork.
Colorfy – Color by Number & Paint by Number
Not to be confused with the pre-colored Colorfy app mentioned previously, this Colorfy app specializes in paint by number images. Users can fill in the numbers with whichever colors they choose for a real coloring experience.
Sandbox & Mandala Coloring Pages
This app provides endless mandala designs and sandbox coloring pages. Users mention the coloring is extremely satisfying and there are no constraints on color choices. New pages are continually added.
Papercolor
Papercolor mimics a real coloring book, with the ability to color both front and back sides of each page. The coloring effects are smooth and realistic. No pre-set color limits.
Conclusion
In conclusion, not all coloring apps actually let you color freely. Many display pre-colored images and don’t allow true customization. However, by carefully evaluating apps through user reviews, testing coloring tools, and looking for indicators of pre-set color mapping, you can find authentic coloring apps for a satisfying digital coloring experience. Apps like Recolor, Colorfy Paint-by-Number, Sandbox & Mandala Coloring Pages, and Papercolor emerge as top recommendations thanks to their expansive coloring freedom and realistic effects. With so many coloring apps flooding the market, it pays to do your research to find ones that actually deliver on the coloring experience they promise. The ability to digitally color intricate designs and pictures with unlimited creativity makes for an engaging and rewarding hobby – when the app gets it right. So get coloring!
