Easel - Digital Painting
Easel is a paid digital painting and sketching app for iOS, designed for offline use with custom palette management.
The App DNA
What makes this app unique?
The app removes the connectivity dependency rivals require, allowing for sketching in any environment without an active internet connection.
For Digital artists and hobbyists looking for a simple, offline-capable drawing tool for quick sketches and diagrams.
What does it look like?
Key features
Generates lighter and darker shades of a selected color in the toolbar. Revenue link: Paid-tier gate ($2.99 one-time purchase).
Groups and names custom color sets for switching during drawing sessions. Revenue link: Retention.
Includes Pen, Marker, Highlighter, Pencil, Eraser, Ruler, and Selector. Revenue link: Paid-tier gate ($2.99 one-time purchase).
Enables creation and editing without an active internet connection. Revenue link: Retention.
How much does it cost?
Paid model anchored at $2.99, requiring full upfront payment to access all drawing tools and color features.
Velocity
Dormant developmentShow more...
Easel has seen no development activity for 1,172 days. The app remains in a state of total stagnation with no updates or feature additions since its initial launch. Given the lack of any release activity for well over a year, the project is classified as a zombie.
Who built it?
Jason Johnson
2 apps tracked · Graphics & Design
Ministry - Time & CallsUser Sentiment
What do users think recently?
Recent user voice shows an upset sentiment.
How are ratings & reviews evolving?
What users say, by theme
- The application crashes immediately upon attempting to add new content using the plus button
1 of 1 recent reviews analyzed · limited sample
Read the full review analysisCompetition
Competitive landscape for Easel - Digital Painting
How's the Graphics & Design market?
Easel is a stagnant paid utility in the Graphics & Design category, with no updates in 1,172 days. The 1★ rating reflects the total failure of the core interaction loop.
Read the market outlookThe rivals identified
Unlock the deeper market read.
Access the full report for freeThe Analyst's Read
Key takeaways for Easel - Digital Painting
Where is it heading?
The market for digital painting tools is consolidating around apps with frequent live-ops and feature updates. Easel's total lack of activity over the last three years leaves it unable to compete, and the current crash-on-launch state signals a terminal decline for the product.
- The 1,172-day update gap confirms the app is in maintenance mode, which prevents any response to the current critical crash.
- Immediate crashes on the primary add-content interaction destroy the user experience, leading to a 1★ rating and zero retention potential.
The SWOT
- Offline-first architecture removes connectivity dependencies.
- Automated color-shade generation provides a differentiated utility.
Next best moves
Sunset the current build because the 3-year update gap and critical crash indicate a lack of maintenance capacity → avoid further negative sentiment
The counter-intuitive read
Easel's failure is a reminder that offline-first design…
Read the full takeBottom line
Easel is a non-functional product that has not seen an update in over three years, making it a liability for the developer's reputation. The immediate crash on interaction confirms that the app should be sunset to prevent further negative user experiences.
Unlock 3 critical frictions, 1 market threat and the analyst’s take.
Access the full report for freeFAQ
Is Easel still being updated?
Does Easel work offline?
Is Easel worth the $2.99 price?
Sources
- [1] App Store
Report last updated