Free Clip Studio Paint Alternatives

The best free alternative to Clip Studio Paint is GIMP, which is also Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 50 alternatives to Clip Studio Paint and loads of them is free so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting free alternatives to Clip Studio Paint are Krita, Inkscape, Photopea and MediBang Paint.

Clip Studio Paint alternatives are mainly Digital Painting Tools but may also be Image Editors or Photo Editors. Filter by these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Clip Studio Paint.

Clip Studio Paint alternatives page was last updated

Clip Studio Paint

117

Paid • Proprietary
Digital Painting Tool

Clip Studio Paint, previously Manga Studio or ComicStudio in Japan, is a family of software applications for Mac OS X and...

More about Clip Studio Paint

GIMP
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Image Editor
Photo Editor
Digital Painting Tool
Mac
Windows
Linux
BSD
Snapcraft
Flathub
PortableApps.com
Haiku
Flatpak
AmigaOS
202 GIMP alternatives
GIMP is a free program for such photo retouching, image composition and image authoring. Essentially it's the closest thing to Photoshop you can get for free.
- - GIMP is the most popular Windows, Mac & Linux alternative to Clip Studio Paint.
- - GIMP is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Clip Studio Paint.
Suggest and vote on features
GIMP Features
1. Support for LayersGIMP supports the organization of elements through a hierarchical order that can be manipulated/viewed independently.
2. DRM FreeNo Digital rights management (DRM), i.e. no copy protection.
3. Ad-freeGIMP doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
4. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsGIMP can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
5. PortableGIMP can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
6. Dark ModeGIMP supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
7. Works OfflineGIMP can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
8. Non Destructive EditingGIMP can make changes to a file without overwriting the original data, which remains available in case you want to revert to it.
9. Custom BrushesYou can use modified/custom brushes in GIMP.
Customizable
Photo effects
High-resolution images
Open PSD files
Retouch photos
Color to Alpha
Image Processing
Select by Color
Built-in Color picker
Batch image manipulation
Comments about GIMP as a Alternative to Clip Studio Paint
Some users think GIMP is a great Clip Studio Paint alternative, some don't.
sedeti
Gimp is for another purpose lol
Negative comment•
0

Guest
Lack of important options and optimization for drawing, and really poorly and ugly UI
Negative comment•
0
Krita
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Digital Painting Tool
Image Editor
Photo Editor
Mac
Windows
Linux
Android Tablet
Epic Games Store
PortableApps.com
Steam
144 Krita alternatives
Krita is a professional Free and open source (FOSS) painting program. It is made by artists that want to see affordable art tools for everyone within concept art, texture and matte painters, illustrations and comics.
- - Krita is the most popular Android Tablet alternative to Clip Studio Paint.
Suggest and vote on features
Krita Features
1. Keyframe AnimationCompositions can be keyframed in Krita, allowing you to change the parameters over time.
2. LightweightKrita consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
3. Drawing Tablet SupportKrita supports the use of external drawing tablets as input devices.
4. Non Destructive EditingKrita can make changes to a file without overwriting the original data, which remains available in case you want to revert to it.
5. Support for LayersKrita supports the organization of elements through a hierarchical order that can be manipulated/viewed independently.
6. Custom BrushesYou can use modified/custom brushes in Krita.
7. Color PickerKrita allows you to select and copy a color property from an image, object, or shape.
8. Dark ModeKrita supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
9. Pressure SensitivityKrita can change attributes like thickness or opacity, based on how much force you apply to your stylus/finger.
Digital Drawing
Blending brushes
Drawing 2D
Advanced brush settings
Digital-painting focused
Color blending
Sketching
Texture painting
Adjustment Layers
Customizable
Comments about Krita as a Alternative to Clip Studio Paint
Almost everyone thinks Krita is a great Clip Studio Paint alternative.
all • positive • negative relevance • date
Guest
a great software for poor artist but very powerfull to drew . i'm like it
Top positive comment•
5

Guest
It has a full list of features, and it's free!
Top positive comment•
4

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 comment•
0

Guest
Completely free and very powerful
Positive comment•
0

Guest
I really like the fact that it includes animation, even though it's so much cheaper than clip studio paint!
Positive comment•
1

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5 of 6 comments
Inkscape
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Vector Graphic App
Image Editor
Digital Painting Tool
Mac
Windows
Linux
BSD
Snapcraft
Flathub
PortableApps.com
137 Inkscape alternatives
Inkscape is an Open Source vector graphics editor, with capabilities similar to Illustrator, CorelDraw, or Xara X, using the W3C standard Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) file format.
Suggest and vote on features
Inkscape Features
1. Support for LayersInkscape supports the organization of elements through a hierarchical order that can be manipulated/viewed independently.
2. Works OfflineInkscape can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
3. Ad-freeInkscape doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
4. Privacy focusedInkscape is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
5. LightweightInkscape consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
6. No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in Inkscape without registration.
7. Dark ModeInkscape supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
8. Drawing Tablet SupportInkscape supports the use of external drawing tablets as input devices.
9. Color PickerInkscape allows you to select and copy a color property from an image, object, or shape.
Vectorize raster images
Support for SVG
Live Path Effects
Support for Keyboard Shortcuts
Customizable
Edit PDF
Export to SVG
Scalable
High-resolution images
Symbols
Comments about Inkscape as a Alternative to Clip Studio Paint
This alternative is disputed. Inkscape is still a legitimate Clip Studio Paint alternative, but it might have issues that some users think are important.
all • positive • negative relevance • date
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 comment•
12

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 comment•
0

Guest
Inkscape does vector. Clip Studio does bitmap.
Negative comment•
-1

Guest
Inkscape is an Open Source Vector Graphics Editor as the description implies. However, Clip Studio Paint main focus is bitmap. Inkscape is similar to Illustrator, Corel Draw and other vector graphics editors and is a good software on it's category, but it doesn't possess the same features for bitmap drawing as Clip Studio Paint, Paint Tool Sai or even Photoshop
Negative comment•
0

Guest
it is a good alternative because it possesses almost all the same functions that clip studio paint and for free
Positive comment•
-26

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5 of 6 comments
Photopea
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Proprietary
Image Editor
Digital Painting Tool
Photo Editor
Online
106 Photopea alternatives
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.
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Photopea Features
1. Support for LayersPhotopea supports the organization of elements through a hierarchical order that can be manipulated/viewed independently.
Web-Based
Open PSD files
Vectorize raster images
Sketch to PSD
Photoshop-like
Import from Sketch
Text tool
Realtime magic wand tool
Free API
Browser-based
MediBang Paint
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Proprietary
Digital Painting Tool
Mac
Windows
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
iPad
74 MediBang Paint alternatives
MediBang Paint is a lightweight software for illustration and making comic books on Windows and Mac OS.
- - MediBang Paint is the most popular Android & iPhone alternative to Clip Studio Paint.
Suggest and vote on features
MediBang Paint Features
1. Pressure SensitivityMediBang Paint can change attributes like thickness or opacity, based on how much force you apply to your stylus/finger.
2. Keyframe AnimationCompositions can be keyframed in MediBang Paint, allowing you to change the parameters over time.
3. Support for LayersMediBang Paint supports the organization of elements through a hierarchical order that can be manipulated/viewed independently.
4. Drawing Tablet SupportMediBang Paint supports the use of external drawing tablets as input devices.
5. Dark ModeMediBang Paint supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
6. Custom BrushesYou can use modified/custom brushes in MediBang Paint.
7. LightweightMediBang Paint consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
Multi-choice brushes
Digital-painting focused
Color blending
Pen Stabilization
Category Filters
Blending brushes
Texture for brushes
Gradients
Comic templates
No Subscription
Comments about MediBang Paint as a Alternative to Clip Studio Paint
Almost everyone thinks MediBang Paint is a great Clip Studio Paint alternative.
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 comment•
2

Guest
It has all the things that I needed that Clip Studio Paint also had! LOVE IT!??
Positive comment•
4

Oscar Reyes
Except for the apparent lack of blur brushes, this program is perfect. Less bothersome than Keira and Gimp. A definitive must.
Positive comment•
-2
MyPaint
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Digital Painting Tool
Image Editor
Photo Editor
Mac
Windows
Linux
PortableApps.com
127 MyPaint alternatives
MyPaint is a fast painting program with an emphasis on full-screen use. It lets you focus on the art instead of the program. You work on your canvas with minimum distractions, bringing up the interface only when you need it.
Suggest and vote on features
MyPaint Features
1. Support for LayersMyPaint supports the organization of elements through a hierarchical order that can be manipulated/viewed independently.
2. Distraction-freeMyPaint has a distraction-free mode for when you need to focus.
3. Drawing Tablet SupportMyPaint supports the use of external drawing tablets as input devices.
4. PortableMyPaint can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
5. Custom BrushesYou can use modified/custom brushes in MyPaint.
6. Ad-freeMyPaint doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
Sketching
Infinite canvas
Fullscreen support
Color blending
Comments about MyPaint as a Alternative to Clip Studio Paint
Most users think MyPaint is a great Clip Studio Paint alternative.
Guest
not made for drawing manga
Negative comment•
1
Microsoft Paint
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Proprietary
Image Editor
Digital Painting Tool
Windows
128 Microsoft Paint alternatives
Paint (formerly Paintbrush) is a simple, ultra-basic graphics painting program that is included with almost all versions of Microsoft Windows. It opens and saves files as Windows bitmap (24-bit, 256 color, 16 color, and monochrome, all with the .
Suggest and vote on features
Microsoft Paint Features
1. Ad-freeMicrosoft Paint doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
2. Dark ModeMicrosoft Paint supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
3. Works OfflineMicrosoft Paint can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
4. Support for LayersMicrosoft Paint supports the organization of elements through a hierarchical order that can be manipulated/viewed independently.
5. Text to Image GenerationMicrosoft Paint generates an original image using only text input through AI.
6. LightweightMicrosoft Paint consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
Bundled with Windows
Pixel Art
Minimalistic
Remove Image Background
Comments about Microsoft Paint as a Alternative to Clip Studio Paint
This alternative is disputed. Microsoft Paint is still a legitimate Clip Studio Paint alternative, but it might have issues that some users think are important.
Guest
Well, it's like comparing a car and pair of Rollerblade. Both can take you where you want to go, but it will be harder to go too far using the latter. It's unfair to the Clip Studio Paint to even compare it to Microsoft Paint
Negative comment•
2

Guest
Microsoft paint is a very basic tool without much functionality
Negative comment•
4

Guest
It's the best for shitposts excluding photoshopped stuff.
Positive comment•
-1
ibis Paint X
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Proprietary
Digital Painting Tool
Image Editor
Windows
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
HUAWEI AppGallery
iPad
44 ibis Paint X alternatives
ibis Paint is an easy yet powerful drawing app made with tools for sketching manga right at your fingertips.
Suggest and vote on features
ibis Paint X Features
1. Pressure Sensitivityibis Paint X can change attributes like thickness or opacity, based on how much force you apply to your stylus/finger.
2. Custom BrushesYou can use modified/custom brushes in ibis Paint X.
3. Support for Layersibis Paint X supports the organization of elements through a hierarchical order that can be manipulated/viewed independently.
Color blending
Extract Drawing
Text tool
Realtime magic wand tool
Texture for brushes
Blur Filter
Brush Stabilizers
Pen Stabilization
Gradients
Creating colors
FireAlpaca
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Proprietary
Image Editor
Digital Painting Tool
Mac
Windows
133 FireAlpaca alternatives
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!
Suggest and vote on features
FireAlpaca Features
1. Support for LayersFireAlpaca supports the organization of elements through a hierarchical order that can be manipulated/viewed independently.
Smooth lines
Digital Drawing
User friendly
Blending brushes
Multi-choice brushes
Drawing Board
Tablet support