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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PaintTool SAI alternatives page was last updated

Alternatives list

  1. Krita icon

    Krita

     1407 likes
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    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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    213
    Comments about Krita as an Alternative to PaintTool SAI
    Comment summary: Krita is often praised as a robust alternative to PaintTool SAI, offering a variety of brushes and options. Many users appreciate its comprehensive capabilities and free cost, although some find it less user-friendly initially. It includes features like animation support and fullscreen usage but runs less efficiently on some computers. While it's advanced, it can be glitchy and lacks some specific tools like a blur tool, making it heavier than 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.
    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.
    Guest
    Positive
    1

    I realy like krita, it's a good alternative for paint tool sai even on windows, recomended!

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
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    3 of 12 comments
    PaintTool SAI Icon
    Krita icon

    • Most users think Krita is a great PaintTool SAI alternative.

    • Krita is the most popular Windows, Mac, Linux & Android Tablet alternative to PaintTool SAI.

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

    • 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
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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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    14
    159
    Comments about MediBang Paint as an Alternative to PaintTool SAI
    Comment summary: MediBang Paint is praised for its organized dark UI, wide range of tools, and convenience across devices. Users appreciate its regular updates and affordability, noting its extensive brush sets and unique features not found in PaintTool SAI. However, some users find the toolset overwhelming and seek improvements in specific functions like the magic tool. Positive comparisons with Fire Alpaca and the ability to share with others further enhance its appeal.
    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.
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    3 of 14 comments
    PaintTool SAI Icon
    MediBang Paint icon

    • Almost everyone thinks MediBang Paint is a great PaintTool SAI alternative.

    • MediBang Paint is the most popular Android, iPhone & iPad alternative to PaintTool SAI.

    • 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

     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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    94
    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.
    PaintTool SAI Icon
    Adobe Photoshop icon

    • Most users think Adobe Photoshop is a great PaintTool SAI alternative.

    • Adobe Photoshop is the most popular Web-based alternative to PaintTool SAI.

    • Adobe Photoshop is the most popular commercial alternative to PaintTool SAI.

    • Adobe Photoshop is Paid and ProprietaryPaintTool SAI is also Paid and Proprietary
  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. FireAlpaca icon

    FireAlpaca

     88 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!

    122 FireAlpaca alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    FireAlpaca screenshot 1
     
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    8
    140
    Comments about FireAlpaca as an Alternative to PaintTool SAI
    Comment summary: FireAlpaca is praised for being a free alternative to PaintTool SAI, offering similar features such as pressure-sensitive brushes, layers, and animation modes. Users appreciate its regular updates, ease of use, and cross-platform compatibility for Mac and Windows. Although generally positive, some mention its differences from SAI, such as having unique features like the Alpaca brush.
    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

    FireAlpaca is good. Can be easier to draw with pentablet

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

    FireAlpaca is good, but it doesn't seem similar enough. Plus it has a weird Alpaca brush.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
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    3 of 8 comments
    PaintTool SAI Icon
    FireAlpaca icon

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

    • FireAlpaca is Free and ProprietaryPaintTool SAI is Paid and Proprietary
  7. ibis Paint X icon

    ibis Paint X

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

    56 ibis Paint X alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Pay once or Subscription)
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • HUAWEI AppGallery
    • iPad
    ibis Paint X screenshot 1
    ibis Paint X screenshot 2
    ibis Paint X screenshot 3
     
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    80
    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.
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    3 of 11 comments
    PaintTool SAI Icon
    ibis Paint X icon

    • Almost everyone thinks ibis Paint X is a great PaintTool SAI alternative.

    • ibis Paint X is Freemium and ProprietaryPaintTool SAI is Paid and Proprietary
  8. 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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    1
    73
    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.
    PaintTool SAI Icon
    MyPaint icon

    • Most users think MyPaint is a great PaintTool SAI alternative.

    • MyPaint is Free and Open SourcePaintTool SAI is Paid and Proprietary
  10. Affinity icon

    Affinity

     48 likes
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    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.

    64 Affinity alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    Affinity screenshot 1
     
  11. 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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    3
    49
    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.
    PaintTool SAI Icon
    Clip Studio Paint icon

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

    • 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
  12. Photopea icon

    Photopea

     330 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
     

    • Photopea is the most popular SaaS alternative to PaintTool SAI.

    • Photopea is Freemium and ProprietaryPaintTool SAI is Paid and Proprietary
  13. 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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    19
  14. Corel Painter icon

    Corel Painter

     70 likes
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    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.

    80 Corel Painter alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Pay once or Subscription
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    Painter on Mac OS X
     
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    8
12 of 91 PaintTool SAI alternatives