Morpholio Trace
Morpholio Trace is an iPad and iPhone sketching app for architects that combines hand drawing with scaled CAD-like markup, PDF sets, and AR perspective tools for design and site workflows.
On a job walk or client meeting, many architects still want pen-on-paper speed but also need scale, layers, and PDF markups that sync with the rest of the project. Morpholio Trace targets that gap on iPad and iPhone, pairing Apple Pencil-friendly sketching with rulers, stencils, and sheet export.
Trace covers early concepts through construction administration: scaled floor plans and elevations, perspective guides, smart fills and hatches, and full PDF drawing set markup without printing plots. Trace Pro adds unlimited projects, AR SketchWalk, sketch-over-3D-model import, and richer export options through an in-app subscription sold on the Apple App Store.
Schools and firms can also buy transferable licenses through Apple Business Manager at $199.99 per seat as a one-time purchase (Morpholio, 2026). The app is widely cited in architecture media for bridging analog sketch habits with digital sheet workflows on site.
Specifications
Pricing
Platforms
Used for
Used by
Tasks
Pros and cons
Pros
- Free tier includes layers, basic pens, and PDF or image export for quick trials.
- Built specifically for architects rather than generic illustration apps.
- Works with Apple Pencil on iPad for natural hand-drawn workflows.
- B2B one-time licenses avoid recurring subscriptions for managed deployments.
Cons
- Available only on Apple iOS and iPadOS; there is no Windows or Android version.
- Advanced Pro features require an App Store subscription or B2B license purchase.
- Not a full BIM authoring environment; it complements rather than replaces Revit or Archicad.
Key features
Scaled sketching: Set any drawing to scale with grids, Super Ruler, protractor, and triangle tools for plans, sections, and elevations.
PDF markup: Annotate full CAD drawing sets, presentations, and site reports directly on iPad or iPhone.
Designer stencils: Built-in and custom stencils for people, trees, furniture, and architectural entourage.
Perspective tools: Trace Pro adds 1-, 2-, and 3-point perspective guides plus AR Perspective Finder.
Smart fills and hatches: Live area calculation on sketched regions and architecture-focused hatch patterns.
AR SketchWalk (Pro): Overlay sketches on site using augmented reality and import 3D models to sketch over in Trace Pro.
Pricing
Trace Free
per month
Free
Free App Store tier with limited projects, pens, and export options.
Trace Essentials
per year (12 mo)
$4.99
Annual in-app purchase listed on the Apple App Store.
Trace Pro (monthly)
per month
$7.99
Monthly subscription option on the App Store.
Trace Plus
per year (12 mo)
$9.99
Adds stencils, markup manager, and up to two projects per Apple's listing.
Trace Pro (annual)
per year (12 mo)
$24.99
Full Pro feature set; verify current price in the App Store before purchase.
Trace B2B license
$199.99
One-time $199.99 per transferable license via Apple Business Manager or School Manager.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Morpholio Trace cost?
Trace offers a free feature tier on the App Store. Trace Plus is $9.99 per year, Trace Pro is $24.99 per year or $7.99 per month, and Trace Essentials is $4.99 per year according to Apple's in-app purchase listing. Businesses can buy full Pro licenses for $199.99 per seat through Apple Business Manager.
Does Morpholio Trace work on Android or Windows?
No. Morpholio Trace is built for iPhone and iPad on iOS and iPadOS. Subscriptions purchased on the App Store sync across both device types, but there is no native Windows, macOS, or Android app.
Can Morpholio Trace markup PDF construction drawing sets?
Yes. Trace supports markup of PDF drawing sets, presentations, and site documents on iPad or iPhone. Pro subscribers can export marked-up sets and use advanced PDF management tools designed for architects and designers.
What is included in Trace Pro versus the free version?
Trace Pro adds unlimited projects and folders, perspective tools, maps to scale, smart fills and hatches, AR Perspective Finder, AR SketchWalk, sketch-over-3D-model import, and expanded export options. The free tier caps projects and limits some pens and markup tools.
Morpholio Trace vs Concepts or Procreate: which fits architects better?
Trace is purpose-built for architectural workflows with scale rulers, PDF sheet markup, stencils, and AR site tools. General drawing apps excel at illustration but lack Trace's sheet-oriented markup and CAD-like scale controls aimed at design and CA phases.
Who is Morpholio Trace designed for?
Morpholio markets Trace to architects, interior designers, and landscape architects who sketch concepts, develop schematic drawings, and mark up documents in the field. Educational discounts of 75% off Trace Pro are available to approved students and faculty.