Is Krita Free? Yes, Even for Commercial Work

The question people ask next is why Krita shows up as not free on Steam and the Microsoft Store. The answer is useful, because it means you never need to go there for a better version. Here's what's free, what you own, and when the store version makes sense.

What's free about Krita

• The full program from krita.org, with no trial period and no locked features.
• Commercial use: Krita's FAQ says artists, studios, game artists, scientists and students can all use it for any purpose.
• Your artwork: Krita says what you create belongs to you alone, and you can license it however you want.
• Showing the interface: you can make videos or stream with Krita's interface visible, for tutorials or time-lapses.

Krita.org vs Steam vs the Microsoft Store

Where you get it	Free?	What's different
krita.org	Yes	The official download
Steam	No	Same files as krita.org, with the store handling updates
Microsoft Store	No	Same files as krita.org, with automatic updates

The catch that isn't one: the store versions

Here's the detail most people miss. Krita's FAQ says the Steam and Microsoft Store versions are exactly the same files you can download from krita.org. The store listings exist to support development, and Krita says the income from them funds four developers working on Krita full time.

So you aren't getting extra features from a store. What you get is convenience: Krita says some people choose the Microsoft Store version for automatic updates to newer versions. If you're happy to update by hand, download from krita.org.

The one licence rule to know

Krita's GPL licence applies to Krita's source code, not your artwork. The only time it affects you is if you change Krita itself and share the result. Krita's FAQ says that in that case you have to share your changes too. For painting, illustration, comics, textures and concept art, you can use it freely.

Krita's FAQ also says the Stichting Krita Foundation owns the Krita trademark, while the copyright on the source code belongs to everyone who has worked on it.

How to get Krita free

1. Go to krita.org, the official site.
2. Choose the download for Windows, Mac or Linux.
3. Install it, then open a new canvas and pick a brush preset.
4. Krita's FAQ says the download is around 80 to 100 MB, so a failed install usually means a broken download.
5. If you want to support the project, Krita runs a development fund you can join.

Is Krita on iPad?

Krita's FAQ has an entry asking whether you can get Krita for iPad or Android, but no answer appears under it. So check krita.org before you plan around a tablet. If you draw on an iPad, my list of the best free drawing apps for iPad covers what's there, and my roundup of Procreate alternatives includes desktop options like Krita.

What you get in free Krita

Krita's site lists multiple brush types for different art styles, layers, drawing assistants, stabilisers and animation tools. Its news also mentions recent work on the Android version, including animation and video exports. You can add brushes, patterns and vector resources from the community, and share artwork for feedback on the Krita Artists forum.

Coming from Photoshop?

• Photoshop brushes: Krita's FAQ says you can load ABR files with the Import button in the brush editor, but only basic features come across, because Adobe hasn't published the file format.
• PSD text: since Krita 5.3, Krita can load text from PSD files and asks whether to load it as editable text or as a paint layer.
• Tablets: Krita says a configured pressure-sensitive tablet should work out of the box. On Windows, install your tablet's WinTab drivers or switch on the Windows 8+ Pointer Input option in Krita's settings.

How to support Krita without leaving the free version

Krita is made by people around the world, many of them volunteers, and the site invites anyone who finds it useful to join the development fund. Getting it through Steam or the Microsoft Store is another way to support the project, and you get automatic updates in return. Neither is required: the krita.org download is the same program.

Krita for commercial work: a quick check

• Prints or illustrations you painted in Krita, made for clients: fine.
• Concept art, textures or VFX for a studio: fine.
• Art for a commercial game: fine.
• Recording or streaming your screen with Krita open: fine.
• Changing Krita's own code and sharing that version: you must share your changes under the GPL.

Each of these comes straight from Krita's FAQ answer on commercial use.

Krita says it's developed as free software within the KDE community, and its translations are done by KDE's localisation teams. If you'd like Krita in your own language, it should pick up your system language automatically.

My verdict: Krita is free for good, including commercial work. Download it from krita.org rather than a store, unless you'd like automatic updates and want to support the developers at the same time.

Frequently asked questions

Is Krita completely free?

Yes. Krita is free and open source under the GNU GPL, and you can download the full program free from krita.org.

Can I use Krita for commercial work?

Yes. Krita's FAQ says what you create belongs to you alone and Krita can be used commercially for any purpose.

Why isn't Krita free on Steam?

Krita says the Steam and Microsoft Store versions are the same files as krita.org. The store listings support development and fund four developers full time.

Do I own art I make in Krita?

Yes. Krita says your work belongs to you alone and you can license it however you want. The GPL only covers Krita's own source code.

Can Krita open Photoshop files and brushes?

Partly. Krita can load ABR brushes with only basic features, and since Krita 5.3 it can load text from PSD files as editable text or as a paint layer.

Does Krita work with drawing tablets?

Yes. Krita says a configured pressure-sensitive tablet should work out of the box, and on Windows you can use WinTab drivers or the Windows 8+ Pointer Input option.