The Best Clip Studio Paint AlternativesTop Digital Painting Tools & Image Editors like Clip Studio Paint

Clip Studio Paint is described as 'Essential digital tool for comic and manga artists, offering specialized tools for shortcuts like panel layouts, inking, vector support, and 3D model import' and is a very popular digital painting tool in the photos & graphics category. There are more than 100 alternatives to Clip Studio Paint for a variety of platforms, including Windows, Mac, Linux, Web-based and iPad apps. The best Clip Studio Paint alternative is Krita, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Clip Studio Paint are GIMP, Inkscape, MediBang Paint and Adobe Photoshop.

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Clip Studio Paint alternatives are mainly Digital Painting Tools but may also be Image Editors or Vector Graphic Apps.  Other popular filters includes Android Tablet + Free. Filter by these or use the filter bar below if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Clip Studio Paint.
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Essential digital tool for comic and manga artists, offering specialized tools for shortcuts like panel layouts, inking, vector support, and 3D model import.

More about Clip Studio Paint
Clip Studio Paint alternatives page was last updated Nov 18, 2024
  1. Krita icon
     1323 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.

    141 Krita alternatives
    Main Window

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android Tablet
    • Epic Games Store
    • PortableApps.com
    • Steam

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Digital Drawing
    2.  Blending brushes
    3.  Keyframe Animation
    4.  Drawing 2D
    5.  Advanced brush settings
    6.  Drawing Tablet Support
    7.  Digital-painting focused
    8.  Sketching
    9.  Color blending
    10.  Support for Layers
    11.  Texture painting
    12.  Dark Mode
    Krita iconClip Studio Paint Icon

    Krita VS Clip Studio Paint

    Is Krita a good alternative to Clip Studio Paint?
     
    Comments about Krita as an Alternative to Clip Studio Paint
     
       
    Guest

    a great software for poor artist but very powerfull to drew . i'm like it

    Top positive commentJun 4, 2018
    6
    Guest

    I have been using Krita for 4 years and just jumped to Photoshop . The features are very similar to Photoshop so It really made me feel right at home after I jumped from it. Best alternative to Photoshop.

    Positive commentDec 16, 2020
    0
    Guest

    Completely free and very powerful

    Positive commentOct 27, 2020
    0
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    3 of 6 comments
    Clip Studio Paint Icon
    Krita icon
    • Almost everyone thinks Krita is a great Clip Studio Paint alternative.

    • Krita is the most popular Windows, Mac, Linux & Android Tablet alternative to Clip Studio Paint.

    • Krita is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Clip Studio Paint.

    • Krita is Free and Open SourceClip Studio Paint is Paid and Proprietary
    • Krita is LightweightClip Studio Paint is not according to our users
  2. GIMP icon
     4608 likes

    GIMP delivers powerful functionalities for photo retouching, image composition, and format conversion. As a versatile tool, it serves as both a simple paint program and a high-end retouching suite, and offers batch processing for mass image tasks in an accessible open-source platform.

    190 GIMP alternatives
    yes

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • Haiku
    • Flatpak
    • AmigaOS

    Properties

    1.  Customizable

    Features

    1.  Support for Layers
    2.  Photo effects
    3.  DRM Free
    4.  Ad-free
    5.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    6.  High-resolution images
    7.  Retouch photos
    8.  Open PSD files
    9.  Image Processing
    10.  Dark Mode
    11.  Color to Alpha
    12.  Works Offline
    GIMP iconClip Studio Paint Icon

    GIMP VS Clip Studio Paint

    Is GIMP a good alternative to Clip Studio Paint?
     
    Comments about GIMP as an Alternative to Clip Studio Paint
     
       
    sedeti

    Gimp is for another purpose lol

    Negative commentJul 2, 2023
    0
    SoftOlive

    GIMP is for photo editing, it's not a drawing app.

    Negative commentAug 21, 2024
    0
    Guest

    Is more an photo editor and not an drawing app

    It even says in the docs as well: https://docs.gimp.org/2.10/en/gimp-using-rectangular.html

    Negative commentOct 7, 2024
    0
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    3 of 4 comments
    Clip Studio Paint Icon
    GIMP icon
    • Some users think GIMP is a great Clip Studio Paint alternative, some don't.

    • GIMP is Free and Open SourceClip Studio Paint is Paid and Proprietary
    • GIMP is CustomizableClip Studio Paint is not according to our users
  3. Inkscape icon
     2216 likes

    Open source vector graphics editor with SVG support. Offers tablet support, non-destructive editing, and live previews. No registration needed, works offline, extensible with plugins, and provides privacy-focused, ad-free experience across multiple platforms.

    128 Inkscape alternatives
    Inkscape screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • Haiku

    Properties

    1.  Customizable
    2.  Scalable
    3.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Support for Layers
    2.  Vectorize raster images
    3.  Support for SVG
    4.  Live Path Effects
    5.  Support for Keyboard Shortcuts
    6.  Works Offline
    7.  Ad-free
    8.  Export to SVG
    9.  Edit PDF
    10.  High-resolution images
    11.  Visual Editing
    12.  Symbols
    Inkscape iconClip Studio Paint Icon

    Inkscape VS Clip Studio Paint

    Is Inkscape a good alternative to Clip Studio Paint?
     
    Comments about Inkscape as an Alternative to Clip Studio Paint
     
       
    lauraess1

    Inkscape is primarily a a Vector Graphics Editor, not predominantly bitmap like Clip Studio Paint. While CSP does have "Vector Brushes" and uses a selection of vector objects to create speech and thought balloons, these are really ways of applying brush tips and shapes in a rescaleable way, and a full set of vector manipulation is not available.

    Inkscape is more an Alternative to Corel Draw and Adobe Illustrator, NOT Clip Studio Paint.

    Top negative commentJun 29, 2018
    13
    SoftOlive

    Inkscape is okay for graphic design, but it's not an app that can be compared to or used as an alternative to Clip Studio Paint, more like something that you can use alongside it. It (Inkscape) primarily focuses on vector art as opposed to bitmap, which I believe is what's most common in apps like Clip Studio Paint. Inkscape can still make good art though.

    CommentAug 21, 2024
    0
    Guest

    I just tried drawing on Inkscape with my stylus, but it continued (connected) to my previous strokes instead of creating new ones. I believe that for clear neat drawings this should be good (icons, simple illustrations) but real drawings (think of eyebrows) are difficult to create on it.

    Negative commentMay 17, 2023
    0
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    3 of 7 comments
    Clip Studio Paint Icon
    Inkscape icon
    • This alternative is disputed. Inkscape is a legitimate Clip Studio Paint alternative, but it might have issues that some users think are important.

    • Inkscape is Free and Open SourceClip Studio Paint is Paid and Proprietary
    • Inkscape is Customizable and Privacy focusedClip Studio Paint is not according to our users
  4. MediBang Paint icon
     114 likes

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

    73 MediBang Paint alternatives
    Great for anime or comics

    License model

    • FreemiumProprietary

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Multi-choice brushes
    2.  Pressure Sensitivity
    3.  Digital-painting focused
    4.  Color blending
    5.  Pen Stabilization
    6.  Keyframe Animation
    7.  Support for Layers
    8.  Dark Mode
    9.  Drawing Tablet Support
    10.  Custom Brushes
    11.  Category Filters
    12.  Texture for brushes
    MediBang Paint iconClip Studio Paint Icon

    MediBang Paint VS Clip Studio Paint

    Is MediBang Paint a good alternative to Clip Studio Paint?
     
    Comments about MediBang Paint as an Alternative to Clip Studio Paint
     
       
    Milla Palacio

    Not only is it free, they do share a lot of common functionality. Of course, MediBang Paint isn't as feature-rich, but it's still good for anime- and manga-style art.

    Positive commentNov 16, 2019
    2
    SoftOlive

    It's an amazing tool for art, just like Clip Studio Paint. VERY good for not just manga, anime, etc art styles, but other art styles.

    Positive commentAug 21, 2024
    0
    Guest

    It has all the things that I needed that Clip Studio Paint also had! LOVE IT!??

    Positive commentJun 11, 2017
    4
    Show more comments
    3 of 4 comments
    Clip Studio Paint Icon
    MediBang Paint icon
    • Almost everyone thinks MediBang Paint is a great Clip Studio Paint alternative.

    • MediBang Paint is the most popular Android, iPhone & iPad alternative to Clip Studio Paint.

    • MediBang Paint is Freemium and ProprietaryClip Studio Paint is Paid and Proprietary
    • MediBang Paint is LightweightClip Studio Paint is not according to our users
  5. Adobe Photoshop icon
     2394 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.

    220 Adobe Photoshop alternatives
    Adobe Photoshop screenshot 1

    License model

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • iPad
    • Wine
    • ReactOS

    Properties

    1.  Intuitive Interface

    Features

    1.  RAW Photo Editors
    2.  Color correction
    3.  Photo effects
    4.  Advanced brush settings
    5.  Image Processing
    6.  Raster graphics
    7.  Support for Layers
    8.  Color Picker
    9.  Resizing dpi
    10.  Hardware Accelerated
    11.  Support for CMYK Mode
    12.  Non Destructive Editing
    Adobe Photoshop iconClip Studio Paint Icon

    Adobe Photoshop VS Clip Studio Paint

    Is Adobe Photoshop a good alternative to Clip Studio Paint?
     
    Comments about Adobe Photoshop as an Alternative to Clip Studio Paint
     
    Guest

    Photoshop is a photo retouch application rather than a paint or sketch app.

    Negative commentApr 19, 2016
    2
    Clip Studio Paint Icon
    Adobe Photoshop icon
    • This alternative is disputed. Adobe Photoshop is a legitimate Clip Studio Paint alternative, but it might have issues that some users think are important.

    • Adobe Photoshop is the most popular Web-based alternative to Clip Studio Paint.

    • Adobe Photoshop is the most popular commercial alternative to Clip Studio Paint.

    • Adobe Photoshop is Paid and ProprietaryClip Studio Paint is also Paid and Proprietary
  6. Photopea icon
     301 likes

    Online photo editor, which can work with PSD, XCF and Sketch files (Photoshop, Gimp and Sketch App). Convert between PSD, XCF, JPG, PNG and many other formats.

    103 Photopea alternatives
    Photopea screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreemiumProprietary

    Platforms

    • Online

    Top Photopea Features

    1.  Web-Based
    2.  Open PSD files
    3.  Support for Layers
    4.  Vectorize raster images
    5.  Photoshop-like
    6.  Sketch to PSD
    7.  RAW Photo Editors
    8.  Text tool
    9.  Dark Mode
    10.  Ad-free
    11.  Colorize Photo
    12.  No registration required
    Photopea iconClip Studio Paint Icon

    Photopea VS Clip Studio Paint

    Is Photopea a good alternative to Clip Studio Paint?
     
  7. Adobe Illustrator icon
     520 likes

    This vector graphics editor offers sophisticated tools for drawing, typography, and color management. Equipped with powerful features like multiple art boards, Blob Brush for vector painting, and transparency in gradients, it supports designs for print, web, interactive, motion, and mobile platforms.

    93 Adobe Illustrator alternatives
    Adobe Illustrator screenshot 1

    License model

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • iPad

    Top Adobe Illustrator Features

    1.  Export to PDF
    2.  Vector strokes
    3.  Vectorize raster images
    4.  Automatic Alignment
    5.  Windows Compatible
    6.  Works Offline
    7.  Support for CMYK Mode
    8.  Save as eps
    9.  Color Picker
    10.  Support for Layers
    11.  Pressure Sensitivity
    12.  Drawing Tablet Support
    Adobe Illustrator iconClip Studio Paint Icon

    Adobe Illustrator VS Clip Studio Paint

    Is Adobe Illustrator a good alternative to Clip Studio Paint?
     
    Comments about Adobe Illustrator as an Alternative to Clip Studio Paint
     
    Guest

    Clip Studio Paint is a raster drawing program.

    Negative commentMay 7, 2019
    3
    Guest

    Illustrator is a vector editor as opposed to Clip Studio Paint being a bitmap editor. Both can be used to create art, but in completely different ways. It's not a good alternative

    Negative commentSep 5, 2019
    2
    Clip Studio Paint Icon
    Adobe Illustrator icon
    • This alternative is disputed. Adobe Illustrator is a legitimate Clip Studio Paint alternative, but it might have issues that some users think are important.

    • Adobe Illustrator is Paid and ProprietaryClip Studio Paint is also Paid and Proprietary
  8. MyPaint icon
     376 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.

    119 MyPaint alternatives
    MyPaint screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • PortableApps.com

    Properties

    1.  Distraction-free

    Features

    1.  Sketching
    2.  Support for Layers
    3.  Infinite canvas
    4.  Portable
    5.  Drawing Tablet Support
    6.  Fullscreen support
    7.  Ad-free
    8.  No registration required
    9.  Custom Brushes
    10.  Color blending
    MyPaint iconClip Studio Paint Icon

    MyPaint VS Clip Studio Paint

    Is MyPaint a good alternative to Clip Studio Paint?
     
    Comments about MyPaint as an Alternative to Clip Studio Paint
     
    Guest

    not made for drawing manga

    Negative commentApr 2, 2018
    0
    Clip Studio Paint Icon
    MyPaint icon
    • Most users think MyPaint is a great Clip Studio Paint alternative.

    • MyPaint is Free and Open SourceClip Studio Paint is Paid and Proprietary
  9. Procreate icon
     158 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.

    57 Procreate alternatives
    Procreate screenshot 1

    License model

    Platforms

    • iPhone
    • iPad

    Top Procreate Features

    1.  Apple Pencil support
    2.  Texture for brushes
    3.  Custom Brushes
    4.  Drawing 2D
    5.  Love
    6.  Dark Mode
    7.  Ad-free
    8.  Support for Layers
    9.  No registration required
    10.  Support for 4K
    11.  Works Offline
    12.  Drawing Tablet Support
    Procreate iconClip Studio Paint Icon

    Procreate VS Clip Studio Paint

    Is Procreate a good alternative to Clip Studio Paint?
     
9 of 102 Clip Studio Paint alternatives