Adobe Fresco vs Krita: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Adobe Fresco and Krita comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Bottom line: Krita wins this matchup. Adobe Creative Cloud is our overall Graphic Design pick. Canva is our free Graphic Design pick. Pick Adobe Fresco if you need a fully free option.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Adobe Fresco
Digital painting and drawing with live brushes and animation
Best for you if:
- • You want fully free with pro-level brush and layer tools
- • You want strong animation feature set for a free app
Krita
Free digital painting and illustration software
Best for you if:
- • You want free digital painting
- • You want professional brushes
| At a Glance | Krita | |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Graphic Design | Graphic Design |
Rating | - | 4.3/5 |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose Adobe Fresco or Krita?
Choose Adobe Fresco if
Digital painting and drawing with live brushes and animation
- You want fully free with pro-level brush and layer tools
- You want strong animation feature set for a free app
Choose Krita if
Free digital painting and illustration software
- You want free digital painting
- You want professional brushes
| Feature | Adobe Fresco | Krita |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Free |
| User Rating | No ratings yet | ★4.3/5 147 reviews |
| Categories | Graphic DesignUI/UX Design | Graphic DesignUI/UX Design |
In-Depth Analysis
Adobe Fresco
Digital painting and drawing with live brushes and animation
Strengths
- +Fully free with pro-level brush and layer tools
- +Strong animation feature set for a free app
- +Syncs into desktop Adobe apps
Weaknesses
- -Primarily built for iPad/iPhone rather than as a standalone desktop app
- -Deeper editing still requires separate Photoshop/Illustrator apps
Key features
Krita
Free digital painting and illustration software
Krita's pricing is exceptionally generous, being entirely free and open-source.
Strengths
- +Free digital painting
- +Professional brushes
- +Animation support
- +Cross-platform
- +Active development
Weaknesses
- -Not for photo editing
- -Resource heavy
- -Learning curve
- -UI overwhelming
- -Tablet issues sometimes
Key features
Pricing: Adobe Fresco vs Krita
| Plan | Adobe Fresco | Krita |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Free | Free Free |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Adobe Fresco pricing and Krita pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are free. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Adobe Fresco
Want the highest-rated option?
Krita is rated 4.3/5. Adobe Fresco has no ratings yet.
Go with: Krita
Value user reviews?
Adobe Fresco: no ratings yet. Krita: 147 reviews (4.3/5).
Go with: Krita
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are free. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Both are graphic design tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Krita is rated 4.3/5; Adobe Fresco has no ratings yet.
Key Takeaways
Krita
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Adobe Fresco
- Choose if you want digital painting and drawing with live brushes and animation
The Bottom Line
Krita wins this matchup. Adobe Creative Cloud is our overall Graphic Design pick. Canva is our free Graphic Design pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Adobe Fresco or Krita better?
Krita is rated in our evaluation. Both are free.
What are Adobe Fresco and Krita used for?
Adobe Fresco: Digital painting and drawing with live brushes and animation. Krita: Free digital painting and illustration software.
What does Adobe Fresco cost vs Krita?
Adobe Fresco is completely free. Krita is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.