Honest comparison · Updated 2026-09-18
Chrovis vs Pastel
Pastel, from well-known indie developer Steven Troughton-Smith, is a long-running app for capturing and organizing color palettes, with over 1,400 ratings. Chrovis focuses specifically on classic color-harmony theory and live format conversion. Here's the honest comparison.
Dimension-by-dimension
| Dimension | Chrovis | Pastel | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core focus | Instant color harmony for 5 classic schemes (complementary, analogous, triadic, split, tetradic). | Capturing and organizing color palettes into a personal library, drag-and-drop into other apps. | |
| Format conversion | HEX / RGB / HSL converter, live as you type. | Colors can be dragged out to apps like Pages and Keynote, but live format conversion isn't the core feature. | |
| Accessibility | WCAG contrast checker with AA/AAA grades (Pro). | No stated WCAG contrast-checking feature. | |
| Palette library / organization | Save and export palettes (Pro). | Building a library of palettes for reuse across projects is Pastel's core purpose. | |
| Maturity | New app, no track record yet. | Over 1,400 ratings at 4.7 stars, from an established indie developer. |
Chrovis advantage · Pastel advantage · roughly equal
Where Chrovis wins
- Classic harmony schemes on demand — complementary, analogous, triadic, split, tetradic — generated instantly from any color you pick.
- Live HEX/RGB/HSL conversion as you type, useful for quick format lookups Pastel isn't built around.
- Built-in WCAG contrast checker (Pro) for accessibility work.
Where Pastel wins
- Palette library and drag-and-drop workflow into other apps like Pages and Keynote is Pastel's real strength for ongoing design work.
- Established, from a well-known indie developer, with over 1,400 ratings.
Pick Chrovis if…
You want instant classic color-harmony generation and contrast checking, with live format conversion.
See ChrovisPick Pastel if…
You want to build and organize a reusable palette library you drag into other apps as you design.
Visit Pastel siteChrovis is built for exploring and checking color theory on the spot; Pastel is built for collecting palettes over time.
Frequently asked questions
What's the main difference between Chrovis and Pastel?+
Pastel, from well-known indie developer Steven Troughton-Smith, is a long-running app for capturing and organizing color palettes, with over 1,400 ratings. Chrovis focuses specifically on classic color-harmony theory and live format conversion. Here's the honest comparison.
Should I choose Chrovis or Pastel?+
Pick Chrovis if: You want instant classic color-harmony generation and contrast checking, with live format conversion. Pick Pastel if: You want to build and organize a reusable palette library you drag into other apps as you design.
What can Chrovis do that Pastel can't?+
Classic harmony schemes on demand — complementary, analogous, triadic, split, tetradic — generated instantly from any color you pick. Live HEX/RGB/HSL conversion as you type, useful for quick format lookups Pastel isn't built around. Built-in WCAG contrast checker (Pro) for accessibility work.
Where does Pastel win over Chrovis?+
Palette library and drag-and-drop workflow into other apps like Pages and Keynote is Pastel's real strength for ongoing design work. Established, from a well-known indie developer, with over 1,400 ratings.