Krita vs Adobe Photoshop: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Krita and Adobe Photoshop 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 is our overall pick for graphic design workflows. Pick Adobe Photoshop if you need image editing.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Krita
Free digital painting and illustration software
Best for you if:
- • You need something completely free
- • You need graphic design features specifically
- • Krita is a free digital painting program for illustrators and concept artists
- • It provides professional-grade brushes, layers, and animation tools
Adobe Photoshop
The industry-standard image editing and graphic design software for creative professionals.
Best for you if:
- • You need image editing features specifically
- • Industry-standard for image editing and graphic design.
- • Utilizes AI for advanced features like Generative Fill and Harmonize.
| At a Glance |  Krita |  Adobe Photoshop |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free | Paid |
Best For | Graphic Design | Image Editing |
Rating | - | - |
Choose Krita or Adobe Photoshop?
Choose Krita if
Free digital painting and illustration software
- Free digital painting
- Professional brushes
- Animation support
- You want a fully free tool (Adobe Photoshop requires payment)
- Your work is graphic design-shaped, not image editing-shaped
Choose Adobe Photoshop if
The industry-standard image editing and graphic design software for creative professionals.
- Comprehensive set of professional-grade image editing tools
- Advanced AI features enhance productivity and creativity
- Seamless integration with other Adobe Creative Cloud applications
- Your work is image editing-shaped, not graphic design-shaped
| Feature | Krita | Adobe Photoshop |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Paid |
| User Rating | ★4.4/5 143 reviews | ★4.5/5 15,414 reviews |
| Categories | Graphic DesignUI/UX Design | Image EditingGraphic Design |
In-Depth Analysis
Krita
Free digital painting and illustration software
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
Adobe Photoshop
The industry-standard image editing and graphic design software for creative professionals.
Strengths
- +Comprehensive set of professional-grade image editing tools
- +Advanced AI features enhance productivity and creativity
- +Seamless integration with other Adobe Creative Cloud applications
- +Available on multiple devices for flexible workflows
- +Extensive community and learning resources
Weaknesses
- -Requires a subscription, no perpetual license option
- -Can have a steep learning curve for beginners due to its vast feature set
- -Resource-intensive, requiring a powerful computer for optimal performance
Key features
Pricing: Krita vs Adobe Photoshop
| Plan | Krita | Adobe Photoshop |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Free | N/A |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Krita pricing and Adobe Photoshop pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Krita is free. Adobe Photoshop is paid.
Go with: Krita
Want the highest-rated option?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Krita
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Krita
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Krita is free. Adobe Photoshop is paid. Go with Krita if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Krita is a graphic design tool. Adobe Photoshop is in image editing. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Key Takeaways
Krita
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Adobe Photoshop
- Higher user rating: 4.5/5 vs 4.4/5
- Larger review base (15,414 reviews)
- Better fit for image editing
The Bottom Line
Krita is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Krita or Adobe Photoshop better?
Krita is rated in our evaluation. Krita is free and Adobe Photoshop is paid.
What are Krita and Adobe Photoshop used for?
Krita: Free digital painting and illustration software. Adobe Photoshop: The industry-standard image editing and graphic design software for creative professionals..
What does Krita cost vs Adobe Photoshop?
Krita is completely free. Adobe Photoshop is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.