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Krita alternatives

Top Photo Editing like Krita

The most popular alternative to Krita is Procreate. Other great alternatives to Krita are Adobe Photoshop, GIMP, Affinity, and Photopea.

Most alternatives to Krita are in the Photo Editing category, compared here by price, platform and features.

Krita alternatives
AllFreeOpen source
8 apps

All Krita alternatives

  1. Procreate is a raster painting app built for iPad and Apple Pencil, used by illustrators, comic artists, letterers and hobbyists. It offers many customizable brushes, layers and blend modes, time-lapse recording of each artwork and Animation Assist for simple frame-by-frame animation. It is sold as a one-time purchase, and its developer has committed to keeping generative AI out of the app.

    6 Procreate alternatives

    Pros

    • Responsive brush engine built for Apple Pencil
    • One-time purchase with no subscription
    • Time-lapse recording and Animation Assist built in

    Cons

    • Limited to iPad and iPhone, with no desktop version
    • No vector tools for scalable artwork
    Cost / License
    PaidProprietary
    Platforms
  2. Adobe Photoshop is a professional image editor used for retouching, compositing, graphic design and digital painting. It combines layers, masks, adjustment layers, Camera Raw processing and a large plugin ecosystem with Firefly-powered tools such as Generative Fill and object removal. It runs on Windows and macOS, with web, iPad and iPhone versions that sync through Creative Cloud.

    12 Adobe Photoshop alternatives

    Pros

    • Industry standard for retouching and compositing
    • Generative Fill and object removal powered by Firefly
    • Vast ecosystem of plugins and tutorials

    Cons

    • Subscription only, which adds up over time
    • Steep learning curve for beginners
    • Demanding on hardware with large files
    Cost / License
    Free trialProprietary
  3. GIMP

    GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is a free, open source image editor used for photo retouching, image composition and digital artwork. It offers layers, masks, selection tools, a wide range of filters and scripts and plugins in Python or Script-Fu. GIMP 3.0 added non-destructive filters and a refreshed interface, and it is a common Photoshop alternative for people who want to avoid subscriptions.

    12 GIMP alternatives

    Pros

    • Free, open source and available on Windows, macOS and Linux
    • Layers, masks, filters and scripting in Python or Script-Fu
    • Non-destructive filters since version 3.0

    Cons

    • Interface and workflows differ from Photoshop, which slows switchers
    • Fewer AI and generative tools than commercial editors
    Cost / License
    FreeOpen source
    Categories
  4. Affinity is a professional creative app from Canva that merges the former Affinity Designer, Photo and Publisher into one program with vector, pixel and layout workspaces. It is free to download for Windows and macOS, while its optional Canva AI tools require a paid Canva plan. It suits designers who want an alternative to Adobe subscriptions and can import PSD, PDF and IDML files.

    12 Affinity alternatives

    Pros

    • Free download combining vector, pixel and layout workspaces in one app
    • Imports PSD, PDF and IDML files from Adobe workflows
    • Professional tools without a mandatory subscription

    Cons

    • Canva AI tools require a paid Canva plan
    • Smaller plugin and training ecosystem than Adobe’s
    • Imported Adobe files can need manual adjustments
    Cost / License
    FreemiumProprietary
    Platforms
  5. Photopea is an image editor that runs entirely in the web browser and closely follows the Photoshop interface. It opens and saves PSD files, reads formats such as XCF, Sketch, XD, PDF and RAW, and supports layers, masks, adjustment layers, vector shapes and smart objects, with files processed locally. It is free to use with ads, and an optional Premium account removes ads and adds a few extras.

    8 Photopea alternatives

    Pros

    • Runs in the browser with no installation
    • Opens and saves PSD files, and reads XCF, Sketch and XD
    • Familiar interface that closely follows Photoshop

    Cons

    • The free version shows ads
    • Slower than desktop apps with large, complex files
    Cost / License
    FreemiumProprietary
    Categories
    Platforms
  6. Inkscape is a free, open source vector drawing program for Windows, macOS and Linux that uses SVG as its native format. Illustrators, hobbyists and web designers use it for logos, diagrams, icons, cutting-machine files and print layouts. It provides Bezier and calligraphy tools, path operations, text on path, many extensions and import/export for PDF, EPS and AI files.

    10 Inkscape alternatives

    Pros

    • Free and open source on Windows, macOS and Linux
    • Native SVG format, ideal for web graphics and cutting machines
    • Powerful path operations and a large set of extensions

    Cons

    • Can feel slow with large or complex documents
    • Interface is less polished than commercial vector editors
    • Limited CMYK support for professional print workflows
    Cost / License
    FreeOpen source
    Categories
  7. Paint.NET is a free image editor for Windows that began as a student project to replace Microsoft Paint and grew into a capable photo editing tool. It supports layers, blend modes, unlimited history and a wide set of effects and adjustments, and a large community library of plugins adds new effects and file formats. It is appreciated for its fast startup and simple interface.

    6 Paint.NET alternatives

    Pros

    • Free, quick to start and simple to use
    • Layers, blend modes and unlimited history
    • Large library of community plugins

    Cons

    • Available only on Windows
    • Lacks the advanced tools of professional editors
    Cost / License
    FreeProprietary
    Categories
    Platforms
  8. Pixelmator Pro is an image editor designed for macOS that brings photo editing, retouching, illustration and graphic design into one app. It offers non-destructive layer-based editing, RAW processing and machine learning tools for upscaling, denoising, background removal and automatic enhancement. Pixelmator was acquired by Apple in 2024, and the app is sold on the Mac App Store.

    9 Pixelmator Pro alternatives

    Pros

    • Native Mac design with a clean interface
    • Machine learning tools for upscaling, denoising and background removal
    • Combines photo editing, painting and vector design

    Cons

    • No version for Windows or Linux
    • Fewer plugins and pro integrations than Photoshop
    Cost / License
    PaidProprietary
    Categories
    Platforms

Krita vs its alternatives at a glance

Pricing, platforms and the key features of Krita, compared with its most popular alternatives.

Krita vs its alternatives at a glance
AppPricingPlatformsAnimationDigital paintingLayersPlugins & extensions
KritaFreeOpen sourceWindows, Mac, Linux, Android
ProcreatePaidiPhone
Adobe PhotoshopFree trialWeb, Windows, Mac, iPhone
GIMPFreeOpen sourceWindows, Mac, Linux
AffinityFreemiumWindows, Mac
PhotopeaFreemiumWeb

Krita alternatives: frequently asked questions

What is the best alternative to Krita?

The most popular alternative to Krita is Procreate: Digital painting and illustration app for iPad. Other great alternatives are Adobe Photoshop, GIMP, Affinity, and Photopea.

Is there a free alternative to Krita?

Yes, 5 alternatives are free or have a free plan, including GIMP, Affinity, Photopea, and Inkscape.

Is there an open source alternative to Krita?

Yes, 2 open source alternatives are listed, including GIMP and Inkscape.

Is Krita free?

Yes, Krita is free to use.

Compare Krita with its alternatives

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