Corel Painter vs Krita: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Corel Painter and Krita side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below, Corel Painter leads on higher user rating; Krita leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Corel Painter
Unleash your creativity with a versatile digital art studio for painting, illustration, and photo art.
Best for you if:
- • You want extensive brush library for diverse artistic styles
Krita
Free digital painting and illustration software
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (Corel Painter requires payment)
| At a Glance | Corel Painter | Krita |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | From $218.95/mo Painter 2021 (Mac) - Upgrade plan | Free 100% free |
Category | Graphic Design Image Editing | Graphic Design Image Editing |
Rating | 4.5/5 G2 4.3 · Capterra 4.7 28 reviews | 4.3/5 Capterra 4.4 · G2 4.4 · SourceForge 2.5 147 reviews |
Free plan | No | Yes |
Choose Corel Painter or Krita?
Choose Corel Painter if
- You want extensive brush library for diverse artistic styles
- You want realistic simulation of traditional media
Choose Krita if
- You want a fully free tool (Corel Painter requires payment)
- You want free digital painting
- You want professional brushes
In-Depth Analysis
Corel Painter
Unleash your creativity with a versatile digital art studio for painting, illustration, and photo art.
Corel Painter's upgrade price of $218.95 for Mac users seems fair for a professional-grade digital art studio, especially considering the depth of features it offers.
Strengths
- Pro: Extensive brush library for diverse artistic styles
- Pro: Realistic simulation of traditional media
- Pro: Powerful tools for transforming photos into paintings
- Pro: High degree of customization for brushes and workflow
- Pro: Optimized performance for smooth painting experience
Weaknesses
- Con: Steep learning curve for new users due to extensive features
- Con: Can be resource-intensive on older hardware
- Con: Paid software with no free version (only trials)
Key features
Krita
Free digital painting and illustration software
Krita's pricing is exceptionally generous, being entirely free and open-source.
Strengths
- Pro: Free digital painting
- Pro: Professional brushes
- Pro: Animation support
- Pro: Cross-platform
- Pro: Active development
Weaknesses
- Con: Not for photo editing
- Con: Resource heavy
- Con: Learning curve
- Con: UI overwhelming
- Con: Tablet issues sometimes
Key features
Plans and prices: Corel Painter vs Krita
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Corel Painter |
| painterartist.com/upgrade read Oct 4, 2026 |
| Krita |
| krita.org read Sep 28, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Corel Painter pricing and Krita pricing.
Key Takeaways
Corel Painter
- Higher user rating: 4.5/5 vs 4.3/5
Krita
- Has a free plan
What the data shows
On the data below, Corel Painter leads on higher user rating; Krita leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- Corel Painter has the higher user rating (4.5/5 from 28 reviews for Corel Painter, 4.3/5 from 147 reviews for Krita).
- Corel Painter starts at $218.95/mo; Krita has no public paid plan price on file.
- Only Krita has a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Corel Painter and Krita compare in 2026?
On the data below, Corel Painter leads on higher user rating; Krita leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. Corel Painter has the higher user rating (4.5/5 from 28 reviews for Corel Painter, 4.3/5 from 147 reviews for Krita). Corel Painter starts at $218.95/mo; Krita has no public paid plan price on file. Only Krita has a free plan.
What are Corel Painter and Krita used for?
Corel Painter: Unleash your creativity with a versatile digital art studio for painting, illustration, and photo art. Krita: Free digital painting and illustration software.
What does Corel Painter cost vs Krita?
Corel Painter's cheapest paid plan is Painter 2021 (Mac) - Upgrade at $218.95/mo. Krita is free. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 4, 2026.
What's the main difference between Corel Painter and Krita?
Corel Painter's main strength: extensive brush library for diverse artistic styles. Krita's main strength: free digital painting.