Krita vs PaintTool SAI: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Krita and PaintTool SAI 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 PaintTool SAI 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 (PaintTool SAI requires payment)
- • You want free digital painting
- • You want professional brushes
PaintTool SAI
Lightweight painting software for digital artists with amazing anti-aliased drawings.
Best for you if:
- • You want lightweight and performs well on older systems
- • You want excellent line art and anti-aliasing capabilities
| At a Glance | Krita | PaintTool SAI |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | $37/moSoftware License |
Best For | Graphic Design | Graphic Design |
Rating | 4.3/5 | 4.4/5 |
Free plan | Yes | No |
Choose Krita or PaintTool SAI?
Choose Krita if
Free digital painting and illustration software
- You want a fully free tool (PaintTool SAI requires payment)
- You want free digital painting
- You want professional brushes
Choose PaintTool SAI if
Lightweight painting software for digital artists with amazing anti-aliased drawings.
- You want lightweight and performs well on older systems
- You want excellent line art and anti-aliasing capabilities
| Feature | Krita | PaintTool SAI |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Paid |
| User Rating | ★4.3/5 147 reviews | ★4.4/5 72 reviews |
| Categories | Graphic DesignUI/UX Design | Graphic DesignImage Editing |
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
PaintTool SAI
Lightweight painting software for digital artists with amazing anti-aliased drawings.
The pricing for PaintTool SAI is exceptionally fair and generous, offering a one-time purchase of $37 for a permanent software license.
Watch out
No cloud storage or collaboration features
Strengths
- +Lightweight and performs well on older systems
- +Excellent line art and anti-aliasing capabilities
- +User-friendly and easy to learn interface
- +Stable operation with data protection features
Weaknesses
- -Limited feature set compared to more comprehensive art software
- -Does not support high DPI monitors well (requires resolution change)
- -Specific compatibility issues with certain N-trig pen tablets
Key features
Pricing: Krita vs PaintTool SAI
| Plan | Krita | PaintTool SAI |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Free | $37 (one-time) Software License |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Krita pricing and PaintTool SAI pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Krita is free. PaintTool SAI is paid.
Go with: Krita
Want the highest-rated option?
Krita: 4.3/5 (147 reviews). PaintTool SAI: 4.4/5 (72 reviews).
Go with: PaintTool SAI
Value user reviews?
Krita: 147 reviews (4.3/5). PaintTool SAI: 72 reviews (4.4/5).
Go with: Krita
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Krita is free. PaintTool SAI 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?
PaintTool SAI 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
PaintTool SAI
- 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 Krita or PaintTool SAI better?
Krita is rated in our evaluation. Krita is free and PaintTool SAI is paid.
What are Krita and PaintTool SAI used for?
Krita: Free digital painting and illustration software. PaintTool SAI: Lightweight painting software for digital artists with amazing anti-aliased drawings..
What does Krita cost vs PaintTool SAI?
Krita is completely free. PaintTool SAI is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.