Krita AlternativesOnly apps categorised as Digital Painting Tools

The best Digital Painting alternative to Krita is GIMP, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to Krita and loads of them are Digital Painting Tools so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Digital Painting Tool alternatives to Krita are Adobe Photoshop, Paint.NET, SketchBook and MyPaint.

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Krita alternatives are mainly Digital Painting Tools, but if you're looking for Image Editors or Color Picker Tools you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Online, iPad, Free, Open Source, iPad + Free, Mac and Android. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to Krita.
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Alternatives list

  1. GIMP icon

    GIMP

     4720 likes
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    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

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • Haiku
    • Flatpak
    • AmigaOS
    yes
     
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    97
    Comments about GIMP as an Alternative to Krita
    Comment summary: Krita is widely recognized for digital painting and illustrations, whereas GIMP is mainly utilized for photo editing. Users frequently emphasize that these applications serve distinct purposes, with Krita excelling in drawing and art, and GIMP focusing on image manipulation and photo retouching. Although some indicate GIMP can be used for drawing, it is generally not considered a direct competitor to Krita for digital art creation.
    Top Positive Comment
    Paul
    2

    Lots of people use GIMP for photo editing, and it's not the best alternative to Krita for digital drawing/painting but you can definitely use GIMP for drawing and painting and not only to edit photos.

    Top Negative Comment
    Guest
    13

    Krita is for digital illustrations. GIMP is for photo editing.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    cel
    Negative
    0

    Different intended purpose: GIMP for general image editing, Krita for digital painting and animation.

    Show more comments
    3 of 14 comments
    Krita Icon
    GIMP icon

    • Most users think GIMP is a great Krita alternative.

    • GIMP is the most popular Windows, Mac & Linux alternative to Krita.

    • GIMP is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Krita.

    • GIMP is Free and Open SourceKrita is also Free and Open Source
  2. Adobe Photoshop icon

    Adobe Photoshop

     2417 likes
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    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

    • Pay once or Subscription
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Wine
    • ReactOS
    • Google Chrome
    Adobe Photoshop screenshot 1
     
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    Comments about Adobe Photoshop as an Alternative to Krita
    Guest
    Negative
    5

    Photoshop is more focused on image editing and photo manipulation. Krita is for digital drawing.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    RemovedUser
    Positive
    2

    Photoshop has many great drawing tools and a frame-by-frame animation tool like krita

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    shaundre no
    Positive
    0

    Photoshop is a great photo manipulation tool and it has some of the better digital l drawing/painting tools but its animation tools are... lacking, unintuitive and easily becomes very laggy/slow. krita has a massive one up on photoshop in the animation department. even with the features that krita has over photoshop its hard to use and super laggy even at the lightest use of filter layers however. I will stick to krita cause screw adobe.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Krita Icon
    Adobe Photoshop icon

    • Most users think Adobe Photoshop is a great Krita alternative.

    • Adobe Photoshop is the most popular Web-based, Android, iPhone, iPad & Android Tablet alternative to Krita.

    • Adobe Photoshop is the most popular commercial alternative to Krita.

    • Adobe Photoshop is Paid and ProprietaryKrita is Free and Open Source
  4. Paint.NET icon

    Paint.NET

     1649 likes
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    Free Windows image editor with support for layers, plugins, and special effects. Offers intuitive interface, works offline, ad-free, and portable, consuming fewer resources.

    165 Paint.NET alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • .NET Framework
    Paint.NET screenshot 1
     
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    Comments about Paint.NET as an Alternative to Krita
    lian00
    Positive
    1

    It’s an image editing software. Not a digital painting software as Krita.

    RemovedUser
    Positive
    0

    If you are fine with using proprietary software this program is just right!

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    wajeeh
    Positive
    -5

    The best FREE image editor nowaday.

    Krita Icon
    Paint.NET icon

    • Most users think Paint.NET is a great Krita alternative.

    • Paint.NET is Free and ProprietaryKrita is Free and Open Source
    • Paint.NET is MinimalisticKrita is not according to our users
  5. Ad
    Screenshot
    Adobe Fresco icon
    Adobe Fresco

    Unlock creativity with a massive brush collection and real-time effects. Blend oils, paint with vibrant watercolors, and enjoy vector and raster brushes on stylus-ready devices. Ideal for artists of all levels.

    https://www.adobe.com
    Learn More
  6. SketchBook icon

    SketchBook

     155 likes
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    Sketchbook drawing software features an artist-friendly, gesture-based user interface that is so fast and intuitive even new users can be productive within minutes.

    79 SketchBook alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Android (1)
     
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    55
    Comments about SketchBook as an Alternative to Krita
    Guest
    Positive
    6

    Plethora of brushes with premium look and feel which makes it intuitive and easy to use.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Krita Icon
    SketchBook icon

    • Most users think SketchBook is a great Krita alternative.

    • SketchBook is Freemium and ProprietaryKrita is Free and Open Source
  7. MyPaint icon

    MyPaint

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

    126 MyPaint alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • PortableApps.com
    MyPaint screenshot 1
     
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    31
    Comments about MyPaint as an Alternative to Krita
    Thelle Christensen
    Positive
    2

    Both programmes aims for simplicity/usability

    Krita Icon
    MyPaint icon

    • Almost everyone thinks MyPaint is a great Krita alternative.

    • MyPaint is Free and Open SourceKrita is also Free and Open Source
  8. Affinity Photo icon

    Affinity Photo

     552 likes
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    Real-time image editing software supporting extensive colour spaces, unlimited layers, non-destructive edits, and a streamlined workspace for complex tasks on Windows, Mac, and iPad.

    100 Affinity Photo alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Pay once
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • iPad
    Affinity Photo screenshot 1
     
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    30
    Comments about Affinity Photo as an Alternative to Krita
    lian00
    Negative
    0

    Affinity Photo has some tools for digital painting but as it’s not the main goal of the sofware (more photo editing), interface and selection tools are not suited for digital artists.

    Krita Icon
    Affinity Photo icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Affinity Photo is a great Krita alternative.

    • Affinity Photo is Paid and ProprietaryKrita is Free and Open Source
  10. Photopea icon

    Photopea

     332 likes
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    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.

    111 Photopea alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    Photopea screenshot 1
     
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    Comments about Photopea as an Alternative to Krita
    shaundre no
    Positive
    1

    photopea is a great alternative to photoshop but not at all for krita.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Krita Icon
    Photopea icon

    • Some users think Photopea is a great Krita alternative, some don't.

    • Photopea is the most popular SaaS alternative to Krita.

    • Photopea is Freemium and ProprietaryKrita is Free and Open Source
  11. MediBang Paint icon

    MediBang Paint

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

    75 MediBang Paint alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Pay once)
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Steam
    Great for anime or comics
     
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    Comments about MediBang Paint as an Alternative to Krita
    lian00
    Positive
    1

    Default brushes in MediBang cannot be compared to Krita’s engine. MediBang may be a nice tool for manga creation but it cannot compete relative to digital painting with Krita.

    Guest
    Positive
    0

    Everything looks the same.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Krita Icon
    MediBang Paint icon

    • Almost everyone thinks MediBang Paint is a great Krita alternative.

    • MediBang Paint is Freemium and ProprietaryKrita is Free and Open Source
  12. Procreate icon

    Procreate

     164 likes
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    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

    • Pay once
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • iPhone
    • iPad
    Procreate screenshot 1
     
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    Comments about Procreate as an Alternative to Krita
    Top Positive Comment
    Paul
    1

    Probably the best drawing app if you're using an iPad!

    Top Negative Comment
    IronoClippy
    1

    Only works on Apple Devices, and it's paid, and closed-source

    Guest
    Positive
    1

    Unlike the most popular choices, Procreate is a drawing program like Krita, not a photo editing program that you can draw with.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Show more comments
    3 of 6 comments
    Krita Icon
    Procreate icon

    • Most users think Procreate is a great Krita alternative.

    • Procreate is Paid and ProprietaryKrita is Free and Open Source
  13. Clip Studio Paint icon

    Clip Studio Paint

     132 likes
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    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

    • Pay once or Subscription
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Samsung Galaxy Store
    Customizable workspace
     
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    Comments about Clip Studio Paint as an Alternative to Krita
    Anipe
    Positive
    1

    Very fluent and good to work with, waaaaayy better than krita!

    RemovedUser
    Positive
    1

    Though paid and closed source it is still a good alternative to Krita

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

    They focus on the same basic functionality: digital drawing.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Krita Icon
    Clip Studio Paint icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Clip Studio Paint is a great Krita alternative.

    • Clip Studio Paint is Paid and ProprietaryKrita is Free and Open Source
  14. PaintTool SAI icon

    PaintTool SAI

     140 likes
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    PaintTool SAI 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.

    91 PaintTool SAI alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Pay once
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    PaintTool SAI screenshot 1
     
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    22
    Comments about PaintTool SAI as an Alternative to Krita
    lian00
    Positive
    0

    Very light software, very well build and quite cool to use. But it’s kinda limited if you need some professional software as it won’t manage color profile and even .tiff format.

    Paul
    Positive
    -1

    One of the best painting tools for Windows!

    Krita Icon
    PaintTool SAI icon

    • Almost everyone thinks PaintTool SAI is a great Krita alternative.

    • PaintTool SAI is Paid and ProprietaryKrita is Free and Open Source
  15. FireAlpaca icon

    FireAlpaca

     89 likes
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    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!

    123 FireAlpaca alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    FireAlpaca screenshot 1
     
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    1
    15
    Comments about FireAlpaca as an Alternative to Krita
    Guest
    Positive
    -1

    Because it's easier to use

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Krita Icon
    FireAlpaca icon

    • Almost everyone thinks FireAlpaca is a great Krita alternative.

    • FireAlpaca is Free and ProprietaryKrita is Free and Open Source
12 of 94 Krita alternatives