PaintTool SAI Alternatives for Mac

PaintTool SAI is not available for Mac but there are plenty of alternatives that runs on macOS with similar functionality. The best Mac alternative is Krita, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 50 alternatives to PaintTool SAI and many of them are available for Mac so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Mac alternatives to PaintTool SAI are MediBang Paint, Adobe Photoshop, FireAlpaca and MyPaint.

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Alternatives list

  1. Krita icon

    Krita

     1415 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. MyPaint icon

    MyPaint

     388 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.

    127 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
  8. Affinity icon

    Affinity

     57 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.

    67 Affinity alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    Affinity screenshot 1
     
  10. Clip Studio Paint icon

    Clip Studio Paint

     134 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
  11. 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. Paintstorm icon

    Paintstorm

     22 likes

    Paintstorm Studio is created for professional digital painting. And a major role in this program play the brushes. We did our best so that you can easily and quickly adjust the brushes suitable for your painting style.

    40 Paintstorm alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • iPad
    PC version
     
  13. Rebelle icon

    Rebelle

     18 likes

    Emulates realistic watercolor, acrylic, and dry media with physical paint diffusion, drying control, textured canvas, custom brushes, tilt and pressure support, color blending, masking tools, paint granulation, backruns, stencils, rulers, and high-res export.

    40 Rebelle alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    Rebelle screenshot 1
     
  15. Gimp Paint Studio icon

    Gimp Paint Studio

     30 likes

    GPS (aka Gimp Paint Studio) is a collection of brushes, patterns, color gradients, accompanying tool presets and dynamics. Tool presets are a simply saved tool options, highly useful feature of the GIMP.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • GIMP
    Gimp Paint Studio screenshot 1
     
12 of 30 PaintTool SAI alternatives