ArtRage vs Krita: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between ArtRage 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. Our overall Graphic Design pick is Adobe Creative Cloud. Our free Graphic Design pick is Keynote. Pick ArtRage if you need its specific feature set.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
ArtRage
Unleash your creativity with realistic painting and drawing tools on any device.
Best for you if:
- • You want highly realistic simulation of traditional art media
- • You want intuitive interface that gets out of the way of the creative process
Krita
Free digital painting and illustration software
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (ArtRage requires payment)
- • You want free digital painting
- • You want professional brushes
| At a Glance | ArtRage | Krita |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | $4.99/moArtRage Vitae Mobile iOS & Android | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Graphic Design | Graphic Design |
Rating | 4.4/5 | 4.3/5 |
Free plan | No | Yes |
Choose ArtRage or Krita?
Choose ArtRage if
Unleash your creativity with realistic painting and drawing tools on any device.
- You want highly realistic simulation of traditional art media
- You want intuitive interface that gets out of the way of the creative process
Choose Krita if
Free digital painting and illustration software
- You want a fully free tool (ArtRage requires payment)
- You want free digital painting
- You want professional brushes
| Feature | ArtRage | Krita |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Free |
| User Rating | ★4.4/5 73 reviews | ★4.3/5 147 reviews |
| Categories | Graphic DesignDesign | Graphic DesignUI/UX Design |
In-Depth Analysis
ArtRage
Unleash your creativity with realistic painting and drawing tools on any device.
ArtRage offers a fair and accessible pricing structure, especially for its mobile version at $4.99.
Strengths
- +Highly realistic simulation of traditional art media
- +Intuitive interface that gets out of the way of the creative process
- +Accessible for artists of all skill levels, from beginners to professionals
- +Cross-platform availability (desktop and mobile)
- +Supports integration with other digital art applications via PSD files
Weaknesses
- -No free version available (only paid products)
- -May require a graphics tablet for the most natural experience (though a mouse is supported)
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: ArtRage vs Krita
| Plan | ArtRage | Krita |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | $80 ArtRage Vitae Windows & macOS | Free Free |
| Tier 2 | $4.99 ArtRage Vitae Mobile iOS & Android | N/A |
| Tier 3 | $29.90 ArtRage Lite | N/A |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on ArtRage pricing and Krita pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Krita is free. ArtRage is paid.
Go with: Krita
Want the highest-rated option?
ArtRage: 4.4/5 (73 reviews). Krita: 4.3/5 (147 reviews).
Go with: ArtRage
Value user reviews?
ArtRage: 73 reviews (4.4/5). Krita: 147 reviews (4.3/5).
Go with: Krita
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
ArtRage is paid. Krita is free. Go with Krita if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Both are graphic design tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
ArtRage is rated higher: 4.4/5 vs 4.3/5.
Key Takeaways
Krita
- Larger review base (147 reviews)
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
ArtRage
- Higher user rating: 4.4/5 vs 4.3/5
The Bottom Line
Krita wins this matchup. Our overall Graphic Design pick is Adobe Creative Cloud. Our free Graphic Design pick is Keynote.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ArtRage or Krita better?
Krita is rated in our evaluation. ArtRage is paid and Krita is free.
What are ArtRage and Krita used for?
ArtRage: Unleash your creativity with realistic painting and drawing tools on any device.. Krita: Free digital painting and illustration software.
What does ArtRage cost vs Krita?
ArtRage is a paid tool. Krita is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.