PureRef

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Score7.2

Rank#4 of 23

From$0.67/mo

Free planYes

Free trialYes

Runs onLinux, macOS, Windows

Summary

PureRef is a standalone reference image organizer for collecting inspiration, arranging mood boards, and keeping visual references nearby while painting or doing 3D modeling. Images can be added from a computer, pasted, or dragged from a browser. Tools include quick notes, desaturation, and ways to arrange and align images; a pen tool supports freehand marks and shapes, and animated GIF playback controls are documented. PureRef can stay above or below other windows, appear as an overlay, or allow mouse clicks to pass through to the application beneath it. It supports common image formats including AVIF, GIF, HEIC, JPEG, PNG, PSD, SVG, TIFF, WEBP, and EXR. Image files and related image data are stored locally on the user's machine rather than online. The Personal plan is free for personal use. Commercial use with version 2.0 and later requires a per-seat license; business options include annual or monthly subscriptions and a one-time small-business license capped at three users per studio. It is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Who it is for

PureRef may suit artists and 3D modelers who want to collect and arrange reference images alongside their work. Commercial users should review the per-seat licensing options.

What is good

Images can be added from a computer, paste, or browser.
Includes notes, desaturation, and image arrangement tools.
Window modes include overlay and always-on-top.
Image data is stored locally.

What to know first

Personal plan is for personal use only.
Commercial use requires a per-seat license for version 2.0 and later.
Small business license is capped at three users per studio.

Verdict

PureRef brings image collection, arrangement, and reference viewing into a standalone app. Its personal plan is free, but commercial use and the three-user small-business cap make license selection important.

PureRef plans and pricing

All plans

Personal Free Personal use only Single user license · Hobbyist / educational pureref.com · 3 Oct 2026

Business annual subscription $8/yr $10 $8 / seat per month · -20% · Annual subscription Commercial use · Per seat · Priority support pureref.com · 3 Oct 2026

Business monthly subscription $10/mo $10 / seat per month · Monthly subscription Commercial use · Per seat · Priority support pureref.com · 3 Oct 2026

Small business $49 once One-time payment Commercial use · Maximum 3 users per studio · Free updates for this version (2.x) pureref.com · 3 Oct 2026

Compared on mood board software

Free plan: Yespureref.com
Collaboration level: nonepureref.com
Presentation mode: Yespureref.com
Export formats: jpg, png, bmp, original image formatpureref.com
Supported platforms: Windows, macOS, Linuxpureref.com

Facts

Purpose: PureRef is a standalone reference image organizer for collecting inspiration, making mood boards, and keeping references for painting or 3D modeling.pureref.com · 3 Oct 2026
Image input: Users can add images from their computer, paste them, or drag them directly from a browser.pureref.com · 3 Oct 2026
Workflow tools: The home page lists quick notes, desaturation, and tools to arrange and align images.pureref.com · 3 Oct 2026
Window modes: The handbook documents always-on-top, always-on-bottom, transparent-to-mouse, and overlay modes.pureref.com · 3 Oct 2026
Drawing and GIFs: The handbook describes a pen tool for freehand marks and shapes, and playback controls for animated GIFs.pureref.com · 3 Oct 2026
Image formats: The FAQ lists support for common formats including AVIF, GIF, HEIC, JPEG, PNG, PSD, SVG, TIFF, WEBP, and EXR.pureref.com · 3 Oct 2026
Integrations: PureRef can stay on top of a chosen application, and transparent-to-mouse mode allows clicks to pass through to the application below.pureref.com · 3 Oct 2026
Local storage: The FAQ states that images and image data are stored locally on the user's machine and are not sent to or stored online.pureref.com · 3 Oct 2026
Privacy and telemetry: The privacy policy says anonymous usage statistics and crash reports are collected if the user opts in, and anonymized crash reports are uploaded to Sentry.pureref.com · 3 Oct 2026
Privacy compliance: Idyllic Pixel says it processes personal information in accordance with the EU GDPR and Swedish tax and accounting laws.pureref.com · 3 Oct 2026
Support: The maker provides a handbook, FAQ, forum, and contact form, while its EULA says the software has no specific support beyond what the EULA and website state.pureref.com · 3 Oct 2026
Commercial license limit: PureRef 2.0 and later require a per-seat license for commercial use; the Small business option is capped at three users per studio.pureref.com · 3 Oct 2026
Trial: The download page says users can try PureRef before buying and return to support future development if they like it.pureref.com · 3 Oct 2026
Maker: The makers identify themselves as Natascha and Viktor working together as Idyllic Pixel, a tiny company in Stockholm, Sweden.pureref.com · 3 Oct 2026