Vara AlternativesDigital Painting Tools and other similar apps like Vara

Vara is described as 'Drawing and digital painting application with pressure-sensitive brushes. It belongs to the group of applications like Krita and MyPaint, but with a limited number of features. The main focus is on simplicity' and is a digital painting tool in the photos & graphics category. There are more than 25 alternatives to Vara for a variety of platforms, including Windows, Mac, Linux, Android and iPad apps. The best Vara alternative is GIMP, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Vara are Krita, Adobe Photoshop, Pinta and MyPaint.

Vara iconVara
  1
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Drawing and digital painting application with pressure-sensitive brushes. It belongs to the group of applications like...

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Vara alternatives page was last updated Jan 1, 2025
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  1. GIMP icon

    GIMP

     4651 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.

    184 GIMP alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

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

    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 VS Vara

     

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

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

    • GIMP is Free and Open SourceVara is also Free and Open Source
    • GIMP is CustomizableVara is not according to our users
  2. Krita icon

    Krita

     1361 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.

    139 Krita alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • NL flagNetherlands
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

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

    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 Vara

     

    • Krita is the most popular Android Tablet alternative to Vara.

    • Krita is Free and Open SourceVara is also Free and Open Source
    • Krita is LightweightVara is not according to our users
  4. Adobe Photoshop icon

    Adobe Photoshop

     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

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Wine
    • ReactOS
    Adobe Photoshop screenshot 1

    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 Vara

     

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

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

    • Adobe Photoshop is Paid and ProprietaryVara is Free and Open Source
  5. Ad
    Screenshot
    Adobe Photoshop icon
    Adobe Photoshop

    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. Exten...

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

    Pinta

     268 likes
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    Pinta is a image editing, drawing and painting application with a simple yet powerful interface. Pinta has a wide range of drawing tools, including: freehand, rectangles, circles and lines. It also has over 35 effects to apply to your images, and also has the ability to create...

    103 Pinta alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Flathub
    • Mono
    Pinta 3.0

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Support for Layers
    2.  Works Offline
    3.  Ad-free
    4.  Non Destructive Editing
    5.  Dark Mode
    6.  No registration required
    7.  No Tracking
    8.  Multiple languages
    9.  Color correction
    10.  Image Filters
    11.  Gtk

    Pinta VS Vara

     
  7. MyPaint icon

    MyPaint

     380 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.

    121 MyPaint alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • CH flagSwitzerland

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • PortableApps.com
    MyPaint screenshot 1

    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 Vara

     
  8. Procreate icon

    Procreate

     160 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.

    58 Procreate alternatives

    License model

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • AU flagAustralia

    Platforms

    • iPhone
    • iPad
    Procreate screenshot 1

    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 VS Vara

     
  10. Microsoft Paint icon

    Microsoft Paint

     176 likes
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    Windows-bundled image editor for basic painting and raster editing tasks, supporting bitmap, JPEG, GIF, PNG, and TIFF. Offers layer support, offline access, no registration, and dark mode. Lightweight and ad-free, ensuring minimal resource use.

    126 Microsoft Paint alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Proprietary

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Microsoft Paint screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Minimalistic

    Features

    1.  Ad-free
    2.  Dark Mode
    3.  Remove Image Background
    4.  Support for Layers
    5.  No registration required
    6.  Text to Image Generation
    7.  Works Offline
    8.  Bundled with Windows
    9.  AI-Powered
    10.  Pixel Art

    Microsoft Paint VS Vara

     
  11. Fossify Paint icon

    Fossify Paint

     13 likes
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    Privacy-centric digital drawing tool perfect for all skill levels. Create, customize, and share art with adjustable brushes, canvas colors, and versatile format support via PNG, JPG, and SVG without compromising your privacy—fully open-source.

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • International

    Platforms

    • Android
    • F-Droid
    Fossify Paint screenshot 1
    Fossify Paint screenshot 2
    Fossify Paint screenshot 3

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Lightweight
    3.  Support for Themes
    4.  Customizable

    Features

    1.  Ad-free
    2.  Built-in Color Picker
    3.  Dark Mode
    4.  Works Offline
    5.  No Tracking
    6.  No registration required
    7.  Digital Drawing
    8.  Export to JPEG
    9.  Export to PNG
    10.  Drawing 2D
    11.  Export to SVG
    12.  Free hand drawing

    Fossify Paint VS Vara

     

    • Fossify Paint is the most popular Android alternative to Vara.

    • Fossify Paint is Free and Open SourceVara is also Free and Open Source
    • Fossify Paint is Privacy focused and LightweightVara is not according to our users
  12. Clip Studio Paint icon

    Clip Studio Paint

     123 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.

    96 Clip Studio Paint alternatives

    License model

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • JP flagJapan

    Platforms

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

    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 Vara

     
  13. MediBang Paint icon

    MediBang Paint

     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

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • JP flagJapan

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Great for anime or comics

    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 Vara

     
  14. LazPaint icon

    LazPaint

     43 likes
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    Raster & vector graphic editor with many tools and filters, written in Lazarus. Portable, 32bit & 64bit versions, ORA format & 16384x16384 image support. In app 3D import & rendering.

    38 LazPaint alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • FR flagFrance
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • PortableApps.com
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    Main UI

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Support for Layers
    2.  Reads PDN Format
    3.  Transparent images
    4.  Portable
    5.  Pixel accuracy
    6.  Debian package
    7.  Support for SVG
    8.  Export to SVG

    LazPaint VS Vara

     
  15. miniPaint icon

    miniPaint

     29 likes
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    miniPaint is free online image editor using HTML5. Edit, adjust your images, add effects online in your browser without installing anything. You can use the Electron based version of the editor if you like.

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • LT flagLithuania
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Online
    • Self-Hosted
    miniPaint screenshot 1

    miniPaint Features

    1.  No registration required
    2.  Support for Layers
    3.  Ad-free
    4.  Create New Empty Images

    miniPaint VS Vara

     

    • miniPaint is the most popular Self-Hosted alternative to Vara.

    • miniPaint is Free and Open SourceVara is also Free and Open Source
12 of 33 Vara alternatives