The Best PaintTool SAI AlternativesTop Digital Painting Tools & Image Editors like PaintTool SAI

PaintTool SAI is described as 'Is high quality and lightweight painting software, fully digitizer support, amazing anti-aliased paintings, provide easy and stable operation, this software make digital art more enjoyable and comfortable' and is a very popular digital painting tool in the photos & graphics category. There are more than 50 alternatives to PaintTool SAI for a variety of platforms, including Windows, Mac, iPad, iPhone and Linux apps. The best PaintTool SAI alternative is Krita, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like PaintTool SAI are MediBang Paint, Adobe Photoshop, FireAlpaca and ibis Paint X.

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Alternatives list

  1. Krita icon

    Krita

     1414 likes

    Free, open-source painting software designed by artists for artists. Offers customizable UI, 9 brush engines, color management, tablet support, non-destructive editing, and privacy features. Portable and available on major platforms, supporting seamless texture creation.

    142 Krita alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android Tablet
    • KDE Plasma
    • Epic Games Store
    • PortableApps.com
    • Steam
    • F-Droid
    Main Window
     
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    13
    Comments about Krita as an Alternative to PaintTool SAI
    Top Positive Comment
    Guest
    6

    Very advanced program that is absolutely free, only downside is that it's not as lightweight as SAI

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Top Negative Comment
    Guest
    0

    Both Krita's brush system and UI are very different from SAI, notably the color blending system which make it impossible to recreate the watercolor effect in SAI, it is more similar to Autodesk Sketchbook.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    It has many capabilities, and I've seen people's work using this. It's amazing to work in and is good in animation features.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    3 of 13 comments
    Krita icon
    Krita icon
    • Krita is Free and Open SourcePaintTool SAI is Paid and Proprietary
    • Krita is Lightweight and Privacy focusedPaintTool SAI is not according to our users
  2. MediBang Paint icon

    MediBang Paint

     117 likes

    MediBang Paint is a lightweight software for illustration and making comic books on Windows and Mac OS.

    77 MediBang Paint alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Steam
    Great for anime or comics
     
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    14
    Comments about MediBang Paint as an Alternative to PaintTool SAI
    Top Positive Comment
    Guest
    5

    Its very convenient and it works on every device

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Top Negative Comment
    Guest
    -1

    the app is filled with a bunch of tools and not enough explaniton

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    I love the dark UI and how organized it is

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    3 of 14 comments
    MediBang Paint icon
    MediBang Paint icon
    • MediBang Paint is Freemium and ProprietaryPaintTool SAI is Paid and Proprietary
    • MediBang Paint is LightweightPaintTool SAI is not according to our users
  4. Adobe Photoshop icon

    Adobe Photoshop

     2421 likes

    Comprehensive raster graphics editor offering advanced photo and image editing features. Supports multiple layers, masks, alpha compositing, various color models, and has limited vector graphics, 3D, and video capabilities. Extensible via plug-ins.

    225 Adobe Photoshop alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Wine
    • ReactOS
    • Google Chrome
    Adobe Photoshop screenshot 1
     
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    3
    Comments about Adobe Photoshop as an Alternative to PaintTool SAI
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    It isn't because it's not free.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    -1

    Photoshop is good. Because Photoshop can make an animation an we can draw an animate in this App

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Negative
    -6

    The simplicity is not here. Too many options which I don't use.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Adobe Photoshop icon
    Adobe Photoshop icon
    • Adobe Photoshop is Paid and ProprietaryPaintTool SAI is also Paid and Proprietary
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  6. FireAlpaca icon

    FireAlpaca

     89 likes

    FireAlpaca is the image editor that can be used readily and easily. We made it possible to provide the completely free download, in order for our products to be experienced by more users from all over the world. It is available for both Mac and Windows users!

    124 FireAlpaca alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    FireAlpaca screenshot 1
     
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    9
    Comments about FireAlpaca as an Alternative to PaintTool SAI
    Top Positive Comment
    Guest
    5

    Firealpaca is much easier to use! It's simpler to find your way around and it's completely free for mac and windows! It's also great because it has regular updates so you know it's always gonna get better. You can animate on it and use masks, references and palettes.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    Overall very similar brush/color sampling system, especially with color blending.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    FireAlpaca is good. Can be easier to draw with pentablet

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    3 of 9 comments
    FireAlpaca icon
    FireAlpaca icon
    • FireAlpaca is Free and ProprietaryPaintTool SAI is Paid and Proprietary
  7. ibis Paint X icon

    ibis Paint X

     41 likes

    ibis Paint is an easy yet powerful drawing app made with tools for sketching manga right at your fingertips.

    57 ibis Paint X alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • HUAWEI AppGallery
    • iPad
    ibis Paint X screenshot 1
     
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    11
    Comments about ibis Paint X as an Alternative to PaintTool SAI
    Top Positive Comment
    Guest
    4

    The app is very functional :) So many brushes and options. Maybe at the beginning everything's a bit complicated, but if get used to it it's very easy and effective. Also there's a chance of learning so many methods and styles of drawing by the new features and even from other artists. I definitley recommend this aplication :3

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    It's like medibang, but you don't have good stabilization and stuff like that. it's a simular.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    1

    Has a lot of features and the ones that are locked can be all unlocked at once if you watch one add, really good alternative but sadly it's only for phone users

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    3 of 11 comments
    ibis Paint X icon
    ibis Paint X icon
    • ibis Paint X is Freemium and ProprietaryPaintTool SAI is Paid and Proprietary
  8. MyPaint icon

    MyPaint

     387 likes

    MyPaint is a fast, distraction-free, and easy painting tool for digital artists. It supports graphics tablets made by Wacom, and many similar devices.

    128 MyPaint alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • PortableApps.com
    MyPaint screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Comments about MyPaint as an Alternative to PaintTool SAI
    Guest
    Negative
    3

    There aren't as many functions as PaintTool SAI

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    MyPaint icon
    MyPaint icon
    • MyPaint is Free and Open SourcePaintTool SAI is Paid and Proprietary
  10. Affinity icon

    Affinity

     55 likes

    Unified design solution merging advanced photo, vector, and layout tools for seamless workflow, non-destructive editing, RAW support, batch processing, AI enhancements, GPU acceleration, file compatibility, cloud asset integration, and tailored workspace options.

    68 Affinity alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    Affinity screenshot 1
     
  11. Photopea icon

    Photopea

     336 likes

    Browser-based image editing supports PSD, XCF, Sketch formats, advanced layers, vector tools, RAW photo support, and exports in 40+ formats. Fully client-side with AI background removal, content-aware tools, and privacy as files never leave your device.

    112 Photopea alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    Photopea screenshot 1
     
  12. Clip Studio Paint icon

    Clip Studio Paint

     133 likes

    Professional software for comic and manga creation, optimized with panel layouts, perspective rulers, sketching, inking, toning, vector support, and 3D model import, suitable for artists seeking advanced drawing and coloring tools.

    102 Clip Studio Paint alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Samsung Galaxy Store
    Customizable workspace
     
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    3
    Comments about Clip Studio Paint as an Alternative to PaintTool SAI
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    not only can both do illustration, but CSP can do comics with ease and finesse, seriously if you wanna make comics, get csp.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    It has very smooth drawing

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    -3

    files don't seem compatible with posting to deviant art, has a bit of a learning curve

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Clip Studio Paint icon
    Clip Studio Paint icon
    • Clip Studio Paint is Paid and ProprietaryPaintTool SAI is also Paid and Proprietary
    • Clip Studio Paint is LightweightPaintTool SAI is not according to our users
  13. Procreate icon

    Procreate

     165 likes

    Procreate is a versatile, award-winning app for creative digital drawing and painting on iOS. It delivers a robust, professional toolset with hundreds of configurable brushes, a powerful layering system, vector graphic tools, and comprehensive design capabilities, ensuring desktop-level flexibility and power.

    63 Procreate alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • iPhone
    • iPad
    Procreate screenshot 1
     
  14. Corel Painter icon

    Corel Painter

     70 likes

    Corel Painter offers realistic traditional media simulation with features like customizable brushes, extensive format support, layering, blending tools, and more, tailored for professional artists working in drawing, painting, and printmaking.

    81 Corel Painter alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    Painter on Mac OS X
     
12 of 91 PaintTool SAI alternatives