Krita vs Clip Studio Paint: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Krita and Clip Studio Paint 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: Clip Studio Paint wins this matchup. Our overall Graphic Design pick is Adobe Creative Cloud. Our free Graphic Design pick is Keynote. Pick Krita 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:
Krita
Free digital painting and illustration software
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (Clip Studio Paint requires payment)
- • You want free digital painting
- • You want professional brushes
Clip Studio Paint
Digital art and manga creation software
Best for you if:
- • You want great for comics/manga
- • You want good brushes
| At a Glance | Krita | Clip Studio Paint |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | $4.99/monthPRO Monthly |
Best For | Graphic Design | Graphic Design |
Rating | 4.3/5 | 4.4/5 |
Free plan | Yes | No |
Choose Krita or Clip Studio Paint?
Choose Krita if
Free digital painting and illustration software
- You want a fully free tool (Clip Studio Paint requires payment)
- You want free digital painting
- You want professional brushes
Choose Clip Studio Paint if
Digital art and manga creation software
- You want great for comics/manga
- You want good brushes
| Feature | Krita | Clip Studio Paint |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Paid |
| User Rating | ★4.3/5 147 reviews | ★4.4/5 55 reviews |
| Categories | Graphic DesignUI/UX Design | Graphic DesignAnimation |
In-Depth Analysis
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
Clip Studio Paint
Digital art and manga creation software
Clip Studio Paint offers a rare perpetual license option in a market moving to subscriptions.
Watch out
Perpetual license is desktop-only (Windows/macOS), iPad/mobile requires subscription
Strengths
- +Great for comics/manga
- +Good brushes
- +Animation support
- +One-time purchase option
- +Asset store
Weaknesses
- -Subscription pushing
- -Learning curve
- -UI complex
- -Updates require sub
- -Desktop focused
Key features
Pricing: Krita vs Clip Studio Paint
| Plan | Krita | Clip Studio Paint |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Free | $4.99 month PRO Monthly |
| Tier 2 | N/A | $49.99 one-time PRO Perpetual |
| Tier 3 | N/A | $219 one-time EX Perpetual |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Krita pricing and Clip Studio Paint pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Krita is free. Clip Studio Paint is paid.
Go with: Krita
Want the highest-rated option?
Krita: 4.3/5 (147 reviews). Clip Studio Paint: 4.4/5 (55 reviews).
Go with: Clip Studio Paint
Value user reviews?
Krita: 147 reviews (4.3/5). Clip Studio Paint: 55 reviews (4.4/5).
Go with: Krita
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Krita is free. Clip Studio Paint is paid. 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?
Clip Studio Paint is rated higher: 4.4/5 vs 4.3/5.
Key Takeaways
Clip Studio Paint
- Higher user rating: 4.4/5 vs 4.3/5
- Our pick for this comparison
Krita
- Completely free
- Larger review base (147 reviews)
The Bottom Line
Clip Studio Paint wins this matchup. Our overall Graphic Design pick is Adobe Creative Cloud. Our free Graphic Design pick is Keynote. That said, Krita is free, hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Krita or Clip Studio Paint better?
Clip Studio Paint is rated in our evaluation. Krita is free and Clip Studio Paint is paid.
What are Krita and Clip Studio Paint used for?
Krita: Free digital painting and illustration software. Clip Studio Paint: Digital art and manga creation software.
What does Krita cost vs Clip Studio Paint?
Krita is completely free. Clip Studio Paint is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.