Krita vs Corel Painter: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Krita and Corel Painter 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 Corel Painter 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:
Krita
Free digital painting and illustration software
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (Corel Painter requires payment)
- • You want free digital painting
- • You want professional brushes
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
- • You want realistic simulation of traditional media
| At a Glance | Krita | Corel Painter |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | $218.95/moPainter 2021 (Mac) - Upgrade |
Best For | Graphic Design | Graphic Design |
Rating | 4.3/5 | 4.3/5 |
Free plan | Yes | No |
Choose Krita or Corel Painter?
Choose Krita if
Free digital painting and illustration software
- You want a fully free tool (Corel Painter requires payment)
- You want free digital painting
- You want professional brushes
Choose Corel Painter if
Unleash your creativity with a versatile digital art studio for painting, illustration, and photo art.
- You want extensive brush library for diverse artistic styles
- You want realistic simulation of traditional media
| Feature | Krita | Corel Painter |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Paid |
| User Rating | ★4.3/5 147 reviews | ★4.3/5 17 reviews |
| Categories | Graphic DesignUI/UX Design | Graphic DesignUI/UX Design |
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
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
- +Extensive brush library for diverse artistic styles
- +Realistic simulation of traditional media
- +Powerful tools for transforming photos into paintings
- +High degree of customization for brushes and workflow
- +Optimized performance for smooth painting experience
Weaknesses
- -Steep learning curve for new users due to extensive features
- -Can be resource-intensive on older hardware
- -Paid software with no free version (only trials)
Key features
Pricing: Krita vs Corel Painter
| Plan | Krita | Corel Painter |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Free | $218.95 Painter 2021 (Mac) - Upgrade |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Krita pricing and Corel Painter pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Krita is free. Corel Painter is paid.
Go with: Krita
Want the highest-rated option?
Krita: 4.3/5 (147 reviews). Corel Painter: 4.3/5 (17 reviews).
Go with: Krita
Value user reviews?
Krita: 147 reviews (4.3/5). Corel Painter: 17 reviews (4.3/5).
Go with: Krita
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Krita is free. Corel Painter 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?
Both are rated 4.3/5.
Key Takeaways
Krita
- Larger review base (147 reviews)
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Corel Painter
- Choose if you want unleash your creativity with a versatile digital art studio for painting, illustration, and photo art
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 Krita or Corel Painter better?
Krita is rated in our evaluation. Krita is free and Corel Painter is paid.
What are Krita and Corel Painter used for?
Krita: Free digital painting and illustration software. Corel Painter: Unleash your creativity with a versatile digital art studio for painting, illustration, and photo art..
What does Krita cost vs Corel Painter?
Krita is completely free. Corel Painter is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.