Ktlyst is a web-based reference canvas for concept artists, illustrators, and visual creators. You gather references on one canvas — drag in images, GIFs, or video frames, or import a whole Pinterest board in one click — and Ktlyst explores new concept directions guided only by the references you chose (a feature called Catalyze). It runs in any modern browser on desktop and tablet, with cloud sync and a free plan.

What is the best PureRef alternative for iPad and tablet?

Ktlyst is a web-based reference board that runs in any browser — including Safari on iPad — with cloud sync so your boards follow you between desktop and tablet automatically. Unlike PureRef, which has no iOS or iPad app, Ktlyst is designed for cross-device creative workflows from the ground up. No installation needed.

Is there a PureRef that works on iPad?

PureRef does not have an official iOS or iPad app. Ktlyst fills that gap: it runs in any browser, syncs your reference boards to the cloud, and works on iPad, tablet, and desktop with the same canvas — so your references are always with you wherever you create.

How does Ktlyst compare to PureRef?

PureRef is a desktop-only overlay tool for keeping reference images visible while you paint or model in other apps. Ktlyst is a cloud-synced, browser-based alternative that adds: iPad and tablet support, Pinterest board import in one click, smart organisation with tagging and collections, freehand sketching overlaid on references, the ability to grab specific frames from videos and GIFs, and a concept-exploration layer (Catalyze) that explores new directions guided by your own references. No installation required — it works in any modern browser.

Do I need to learn prompts or any special tools?

No. You work the way you already do — gather references, sketch, note what you're after. Ktlyst handles the rest behind the scenes, so you stay focused on the vision, not on tooling.

Is this just an image generator?

No. Ktlyst is a reference-driven canvas for clarifying YOUR direction — built around how you already work, collecting references and browsing Pinterest. What it surfaces is an exploration of your own references, for you to take forward.

Can I bring in my Pinterest boards?

Yes. Connect Pinterest and pull an entire board onto a canvas in one move — every pin laid out and ready, instead of saving and re-uploading each one. (Free: 1 board · Pro: unlimited.)

Can I use videos or GIFs as references?

Yes. Drop an MP4, WebM, MOV, M4V, or OGV video — or a GIF — and a frame picker opens so you can scrub through and grab the exact frames you want. Only the frames you pick are saved as reference images; the source video or GIF never leaves your device. (Frame-by-frame GIF picking needs a recent browser; older ones add the first frame instead.)

Can I reuse the same character or element across projects?

Yes. Distil a group of references into one clean, typed element (a character, a costume, a prop), then save it to your Elements library. Drag it onto any canvas to reuse it, merge it with other elements, or paint it into a composition sketch — build it once, use it everywhere.

Can I correct a generated image?

Yes, with Redline (a Pro feature): draw your corrections in red straight on the image — arrows, circles, and handwritten notes — and Ktlyst applies them beside the original, non-destructively, so your original stays put.

Who owns what I create?

Ktlyst claims no ownership over your canvases or the directions you explore — they're yours to take forward into your own work. You're responsible for clearing any rights you need before using output commercially. (How copyright applies to generated images varies by country, so we don't make legal guarantees about that.)

Do you use my images or art to train AI?

No. Ktlyst never uses your uploads, canvases, or prompts to train AI models, and never sells them. Your references and prompts are sent to our AI providers only to generate or analyse images at your request. OpenAI does not use data submitted through its API to train its models; fal.ai processes your content under its own terms to run the generation.

Does it work on tablet?

Yes. Your canvas is cloud-synced, so you can collect on desktop and refine on tablet — or anywhere you work.

What devices and browsers does Ktlyst support?

Editing works on tablets and desktops (iPad, Windows, Mac) in recent versions of Chrome, Edge, Safari and Firefox. Phones get a view-only experience. Ktlyst runs in the browser and needs an internet connection.

Is there a free plan?

Yes — the free plan gives you 5 canvases (each with as many references as you like) and 15 Catalyze runs a month. No credit card required.

September 21, 2026

Looking for a vizref Alternative? Meet Catalyze for Reference Image Management

vizref alternativeCatalyze

If you've been using vizref to lay out reference images, you might be looking for a tool that fits your workflow a little better. This article breaks down what vizref does well and where it falls short, compares it with PureRef and BeeRef, and introduces Catalyze — the AI-powered organization feature that sets Ktlyst apart from all three.

What vizref Does Well (and Where It Stops)

vizref lets you lay out reference images on a free-form board, giving you a quick, visual way to compare and arrange them side by side. That simplicity is its biggest strength. The tradeoff shows up as your library grows: tagging and categorization are limited, so finding a specific image later mostly comes down to scrolling and remembering where you put it. For a small, single-project board that's rarely a problem — but for artists who accumulate references across many projects, it becomes a real bottleneck (exact current feature set should be verified on vizref's own site, since reference tools update frequently).

Comparing vizref, PureRef, BeeRef, and Ktlyst

Tool	Core strength	Organization & search	Pricing
vizref	Free-form reference board	Simple, but limited	(verify current pricing)
PureRef	The long-time standard for reference boards	Minimal tagging	One-time purchase
BeeRef	Lightweight, open-source	Basic, board-only	Free
Ktlyst	Reference board + Catalyze	AI-assisted tagging and retrieval	(verify current pricing)

vizref, PureRef, and BeeRef all share the same core idea: a blank canvas where you drop images and arrange them by eye. That's exactly what makes them fast to start with, and exactly what makes them harder to manage once a board grows past a few dozen images. Always check each tool's own site for current pricing and feature details before deciding.

What PureRef and BeeRef Don't Have: Ktlyst's Catalyze

Catalyze is the feature that sets Ktlyst apart from every board-style reference tool, vizref included. Instead of leaving your references as a flat pile of images, Catalyze uses AI to tag, categorize, and surface the right reference the moment you need it — so a growing library stays usable instead of turning into a scroll-and-search exercise. The idea isn't just to collect reference images faster; it's to make everything you've already collected actually work for you as your project grows. That's the gap vizref, PureRef, and BeeRef all leave open, and it's the reason Catalyze exists.

FAQ

Is it easy to move from vizref to Ktlyst? The typical path is importing your existing reference images into a new Ktlyst board. Exact import options and supported formats are best confirmed on Ktlyst's own site, since they can change.

Is Ktlyst free to use? Ktlyst offers a free tier; for current plan details and pricing, check the pricing page directly.

Should I pick PureRef, BeeRef, or Ktlyst? If you just need a fast, simple board, PureRef or BeeRef will get you there. If you want your reference library to stay organized and searchable as it grows, Catalyze is what Ktlyst adds on top of the basic board experience.

Whichever tool you land on, the right choice comes down to how you actually work. If you want to see how Catalyze handles a growing reference library, it's worth trying Ktlyst for yourself.