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 Android apps. The best PaintTool SAI alternative is Krita, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like PaintTool SAI are MediBang Paint, FireAlpaca, Adobe Photoshop and ibis Paint X.

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PaintTool SAI alternatives are mainly Digital Painting Tools, but if you're looking for Image Editors or Color Picker Tools you can filter on that. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to PaintTool SAI.
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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.

More about PaintTool SAI
PaintTool SAI alternatives page was last updated Apr 19, 2025
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  1. Krita icon
     1359 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.

    140 Krita alternatives

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • NL flagNetherlands
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

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

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Customizable

    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.  Custom Brushes

    Krita VS PaintTool SAI

     
    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
    May 4, 2017
    6

    Very advanced program that is absolutely free, only downside is that it's not as lightweight as SAI

    Most Recent Comment
    Guest
    Positive Jan 13, 2021
    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.

    Guest
    Positive Aug 5, 2020
    1

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

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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 LightweightPaintTool SAI is not according to our users
  2. MediBang Paint icon
     115 likes
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    MediBang Paint is a lightweight software for illustration and making comic books on Windows and Mac OS.

    72 MediBang Paint alternatives

    License model

    • FreemiumProprietary

    Country of Origin

    • JP flagJapan

    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 VS PaintTool SAI

     
    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
    Jan 23, 2019
    5

    Its very convenient and it works on every device

    Top Negative Comment
    Guest
    May 9, 2019
    -1

    the app is filled with a bunch of tools and not enough explaniton

    Most Recent Comment
    Guest
    Positive Jul 1, 2020
    0

    I love the dark UI and how organized it is

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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
  3. FireAlpaca icon
     82 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

    License model

    • FreeProprietary

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows

    Properties

    1.  User friendly

    Features

    1.  Support for Layers
    2.  Smooth lines
    3.  Digital Drawing
    4.  Blending brushes
    5.  Multi-choice brushes
    6.  Tablet support
    7.  Drawing Board

    FireAlpaca VS PaintTool SAI

     
    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
    Dec 15, 2017
    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.

    Most Recent Comment
    Guest
    Positive Jan 14, 2021
    0

    FireAlpaca is good. Can be easier to draw with pentablet

    Guest
    Negative Jan 8, 2020
    -6

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

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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
  4. Adobe Photoshop icon
     2399 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.

    220 Adobe Photoshop alternatives

    License model

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • iPhone
    • 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.  Non Destructive Editing
    10.  Open PSD files
    11.  Resizing dpi
    12.  Hardware Accelerated

    Adobe Photoshop VS PaintTool SAI

     
    Comments about Adobe Photoshop as an Alternative to PaintTool SAI
    Most Recent Comment
    Guest
    Positive Mar 10, 2017
    0

    It isn't because it's not free.

    Guest
    Positive Jan 14, 2021
    -1

    Photoshop is good. Because Photoshop can make an animation an we can draw an animate in this App

    Guest
    Negative Aug 27, 2016
    -6

    The simplicity is not here. Too many options which I don't use.

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

    50 ibis Paint X alternatives

    License model

    • FreemiumProprietary

    Country of Origin

    • JP flagJapan

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • HUAWEI AppGallery
    • iPad

    Top ibis Paint X Features

    1.  Color blending
    2.  Extract Drawing
    3.  Text tool
    4.  Pressure Sensitivity
    5.  Custom Brushes
    6.  Realtime magic wand tool
    7.  Support for Layers
    8.  Texture for brushes
    9.  Blur Filter
    10.  Brush Stabilizers
    11.  Pen Stabilization
    12.  Gradients

    ibis Paint X VS PaintTool SAI

     
    Comments about ibis Paint X as an Alternative to PaintTool SAI
    Top Positive Comment
    Guest
    Jun 12, 2017
    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

    Most Recent Comment
    Guest
    Positive Dec 6, 2020
    0

    It's like medibang, but you don't have good stabilization and stuff like that. it's a simular.

    Guest
    Positive May 11, 2020
    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

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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
  6. MyPaint icon
     379 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.

    122 MyPaint alternatives

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • CH flagSwitzerland

    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 VS PaintTool SAI

     
    Comments about MyPaint as an Alternative to PaintTool SAI
    Guest
    Negative Jul 26, 2015
    3

    There aren't as many functions as PaintTool SAI

    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
  7. Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    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.

    97 Clip Studio Paint alternatives

    License model

    Country of Origin

    • JP flagJapan

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Samsung Galaxy Store

    Properties

    1.  Optimal performance
    2.  Customizable
    3.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Support for Layers
    2.  Pressure Sensitivity
    3.  Texture for brushes
    4.  Open PSD files
    5.  Tablet support
    6.  Smooth lines
    7.  Keyframe Animation
    8.  Drawing Tablet Support
    9.  Cloud Sync
    10.  Custom Brushes
    11.  Built-in 3D model viewer
    12.  Natural media painting

    Clip Studio Paint VS PaintTool SAI

     
    Comments about Clip Studio Paint as an Alternative to PaintTool SAI
    Most Recent Comment
    Guest
    Positive Aug 13, 2019
    0

    not only can both do illustration, but CSP can do comics with ease and finesse, seriously if you wanna make comics, get csp.

    Guest
    Positive Dec 9, 2017
    0

    It has very smooth drawing

    Guest
    Positive Apr 19, 2018
    -3

    files don't seem compatible with posting to deviant art, has a bit of a learning curve

    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
7 of 87 PaintTool SAI alternatives