GIMP
Free open-source raster image editor for photos and graphics.
Alternatives · 2026
Alternatives to Krita
Open-source digital painting app aimed at illustrators.
3 hand-curated alternatives from MintedSaaS's directory. See the Krita listing →
Krita is a free, open-source painting application built for digital illustrators, comic artists, and concept designers. It runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux, and you own it—no subscription, no cloud requirement. The interface centers on brushes, layers, and vector tools that feel intuitive to people coming from traditional media. Many indie artists and studios use Krita as their primary tool because it handles animation frames, tonal work, and texture painting without licensing friction.
You'd reach for Krita when you want a dedicated painting experience rather than a Swiss Army knife. It's not trying to be Photoshop; it's trying to be a painter's toolkit. Common workflows include character design sheets, comic page layouts, animation keyframes, and texture work for game assets. Teams that value open-source software or can't justify subscription costs often standardize on Krita. Self-employed illustrators and small studios often pick it because they control the software indefinitely and can customize it if they have development skills.
What we offer that competes
Adobe Photoshop
Industry-standard raster image editing and compositing app.
Affinity
Pro-grade design tools sold as one-time licences.
What to look for
- Whether the software runs on Linux, since Krita is cross-platform but Adobe and Affinity are not.
- Whether you need a paid subscription or if free tier access is available for production work.
- How the brush engine handles pressure sensitivity and custom brush creation without scripting.
- Whether animation frame tools are built-in or require separate software or plugins.
- Whether you can export to PSD without losing layer structure for collaboration with Photoshop users.
- Whether the software's native file format is open-source or proprietary locked.
FAQ
Is Krita free?
Yes, Krita is completely free and open-source. You can download it, use it commercially, and modify the code if you want to. There's no free tier with limitations—you get the full application.
What's the best free alternative to Krita?
GIMP is the most established free alternative, though it's a general-purpose image editor rather than a painting-focused tool. If you specifically want a free painting app, Krita itself is hard to beat, but Rebelle and MyPaint are lighter options for sketch work.
Can I use Krita alternatives on macOS, Windows, and Linux?
Krita runs on all three, as does GIMP. Affinity Photo and Adobe Photoshop are available on macOS and Windows but not Linux.
Which is better for comic and illustration work: Krita or Affinity Photo?
Krita is purpose-built for illustration and animation, with better brush customization and frame-by-frame animation tools. Affinity Photo is stronger for photo editing and retouching but works fine for painting if you don't need animation features.
Do I need a subscription to use Photoshop if I'm a digital painter?
Yes, Adobe Photoshop requires an Adobe Creative Cloud subscription starting at $22.49/month for single-app access. GIMP and Krita have no subscription requirements.
What features should I prioritize when choosing a painting application?
Look at brush engine quality, layer support, undo depth, tablet pressure responsiveness, animation capabilities, and whether the tool fits your OS. If budget matters, factor in whether you need a subscription or can work with free software.
Can I import and export my Krita files in other applications?
Krita saves in its native .kra format (which is open), but also exports to PSD, PNG, JPEG, SVG, and other formats. GIMP and Photoshop can open exported PSD files from Krita, though some layer effects may not transfer.
Do Krita alternatives work well with drawing tablets?
All three alternatives—GIMP, Affinity, and Photoshop—support pressure-sensitive tablets. Krita has historically offered slightly more granular tablet driver control, but modern versions of each handle Wacom, Huion, and XP-Pen tablets competently.