PureRef vs Rayon

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; the 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. Supported formats include AVIF, GIF, HEIC, JPEG, PNG, PSD, SVG, TIFF, WEBP, and EXR. Image files and related image data are stored locally 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 an $8 a year annual subscription, a $10 a month subscription, and a $49 as a one-time purchase small-business license capped at three users per studio. PureRef is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Rayon is CAD software for interior designers and architects, focused on 2D architectural plans rather than 3D modeling. It combines drafting commands with BIM tools, and its AI features can find or generate assets, answer CAD questions, create architectural visuals, and turn images into vector sketches or wireframes. Teams can edit together in real time, comment, doodle, and share public links. The product includes more than 4,000 elements and more than 100 pre-built templates, with options to create custom libraries and templates. It imports DWG, DXF, PDF, and image files, capped at 25 MB, and exports PNG, PDF, DWG, and DXF. Rayon is available on the web and as Windows and macOS desktop apps. The Free plan costs nothing. Pro costs $21 a month billed monthly; Team costs $38 a month, per editor, billed monthly, and includes a 15-day free trial.