- Digital painting apps at a glance
- Ten painting apps to consider instead of Krita
- What Krita's licence means for your art
- Choosing a painting app
- Moving your workflow to a new app
- Mistakes when switching painting apps
- Desktop, tablet or browser?
- My plain advice on Krita alternatives
- Frequently asked questions
The right Krita alternative depends on your device and how you like to paint: some apps are free and open source, some are built for tablets, and some run in a browser with nothing to install. Comics, illustration and concept art each suit slightly different tools. This page lists ten painting apps in no particular order, then explains what Krita's licence means for your work.
Krita is a brilliant free painting program, but it isn't for everyone. Some artists want something lighter, some draw mostly on a tablet or phone, and some want comic tools or natural media brushes that feel closer to paint on paper.
Below are ten digital painting apps in no particular order, sorted alphabetically, from free open source programs to tablet apps and browser tools. Each description comes from the app's own website, re-checked today. If you're curious about AI help for comics, my guide on making comics and manga with AI for free covers that side.
The device you draw on narrows the choice fastest. A pen tablet on a desktop, an iPad and an Android phone all have different strong options, so start there.
Digital painting apps at a glance
In the free plan column, Yes means the app's own site describes a free app, free version or free plan, Trial only means a time-limited trial, and No means neither is stated.
| Tool | Type | Good for | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| ArtRage | Natural media painting app | Painting that feels like real media | No |
| Clip Studio Paint | Illustration and comic software | Comics, manga and illustration | Trial only |
| FireAlpaca | Free painting software | Lightweight free painting | Yes |
| Ibis Paint X | Mobile drawing app | Drawing on a phone or tablet | Yes |
| Infinite Painter | Tablet painting app | Painting on Android and iPad | Yes |
| Kleki | Browser paint tool | Quick sketches in a browser | Yes |
| MediBang Paint | Free painting and comic app | Free comics across devices | Yes |
| MyPaint | Open source painting app | Distraction-free sketching | Yes |
| Rebelle | Watercolour and acrylic painting | Realistic wet media | Trial only |
| Sketchbook | Sketching app | Clean, fast sketching | Yes |
Ten painting apps to consider instead of Krita
ArtRage
Best for: Artists who want oils, watercolours and pencils that behave like real materials.
Clip Studio Paint
Best for: Comic and manga artists who want panel tools, inking and illustration in one app.
FireAlpaca
Best for: Beginners who want a light, free painting program for Windows and Mac.
Ibis Paint X
Best for: Artists who draw on phones and tablets and want a free app with many brushes.
Infinite Painter
Best for: Tablet artists who want a painting app with a large brush set and a free version.
Kleki
Best for: Anyone who wants to sketch or paint in a browser without installing anything.
MediBang Paint
Best for: Comic artists who want a free app that works across desktop, tablet and phone.
MyPaint
Best for: Artists who want a simple, open source painting app with a flexible brush engine.
Rebelle
Best for: Painters who want realistic watercolour and acrylic effects on a computer.
Sketchbook
Best for: Designers and illustrators who want a clean, fast sketching app on desktop or mobile.
What Krita's licence means for your art
People often worry that a free, open source app limits what they can do with their work. Krita's own FAQ is clear: what you create with Krita is your sole property, and Krita's GPL licence applies to Krita's source code, not your art. It says Krita can be used commercially by artists for any purpose.
Most painting apps work the same way, but always check the terms of any app you switch to, especially free mobile apps with cloud storage or community galleries.
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Choosing a painting app
- Device: desktop with a pen tablet, iPad, Android or browser.
- Style: comics, illustration, concept art or natural media.
- Brushes: whether you can tweak and import brushes.
- File formats: layered files you can open elsewhere.
- Learning resources: tutorials and communities for help.
Moving your workflow to a new app
- Export work in progress as layered PSD files.
- Recreate or import your go-to brushes.
- Set up shortcuts on your tablet or keyboard.
- Paint a small practice piece before a real project.
- Keep your old app installed until you're comfortable.
Mistakes when switching painting apps
- Losing layers. Export as PSD, not flat images.
- Ignoring pressure settings. Tune them on day one.
- Too many brushes. Start with a small set.
- No backups. Save work in more than one place.
If you sketch plans as well as art, my guide on drawing a floor plan with AI for free is a fun side project.
Desktop, tablet or browser?
Desktop apps give you the most control, the biggest canvases and the deepest brush settings, which suits finished illustration and concept art. Tablet apps feel the most natural, because you're drawing straight onto the screen, and they're perfect for sketching on the go. Browser tools are the quickest to start and great for warm-ups or collaborative jams.
Plenty of artists use more than one. They sketch on a tablet, then finish on a desktop, so it's worth choosing apps that share file formats nicely.
Do you make digital painting apps? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
My plain advice on Krita alternatives
Try two or three free options before you commit. You'll know within an hour whether a brush engine feels right in your hand, and no review can tell you that.
And don't switch in the middle of a big project. Finish it where you started, then explore new tools on something small.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good free alternative to Krita?
Several free painting apps are listed here, from desktop programs to tablet apps and browser tools.
Can I sell art made in Krita?
Yes. Krita's FAQ says what you create is your sole property and Krita can be used commercially.
What is the best app for comics?
Apps with panel and inking tools suit comics best. Several here are built for comics and manga.
Can I paint in a browser?
Yes. Browser paint tools let you sketch without installing anything.
Can I open my Krita files elsewhere?
Export as PSD to keep layers, as most apps can open that format.
Which apps work on iPad?
Several apps here run on iPad. Check each app's site for supported devices.
Do I need a drawing tablet?
It helps a lot on desktop. Tablet and phone apps work with a stylus or finger.
Are free painting apps good enough for professionals?
Many professionals use free apps, especially open source ones.
Which app is easiest for beginners?
Lightweight apps with simple interfaces are easiest to start with.
