Krita vs PaintTool SAI: 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 Krita and PaintTool SAI side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below, 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:
Krita
Free digital painting and illustration software
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (PaintTool SAI requires payment)
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
| At a Glance | Krita | PaintTool SAI |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free 100% free | One-time packs from $37 |
Category | Graphic Design Image Editing | Graphic Design Image Editing |
Rating | 4.3/5 Capterra 4.4 · G2 4.4 · SourceForge 2.5 147 reviews | 4.4/5 G2 4.3 · Capterra 4.3 · SourceForge 5.0 72 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | No |
Watch out for | n/a | No cloud storage or collaboration features |
Choose Krita or PaintTool SAI?
Choose Krita if
- You want a fully free tool (PaintTool SAI requires payment)
- You want free digital painting
- You want professional brushes
Choose PaintTool SAI if
- You want lightweight and performs well on older systems
- You want excellent line art and anti-aliasing capabilities
In-Depth Analysis
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
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
- Pro: Lightweight and performs well on older systems
- Pro: Excellent line art and anti-aliasing capabilities
- Pro: User-friendly and easy to learn interface
- Pro: Stable operation with data protection features
Weaknesses
- Con: Limited feature set compared to more comprehensive art software
- Con: Does not support high DPI monitors well (requires resolution change)
- Con: Specific compatibility issues with certain N-trig pen tablets
Key features
Plans and prices: Krita vs PaintTool SAI
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Krita |
| krita.org read Sep 28, 2026 |
| PaintTool SAI |
| systemax.jp/en/sai read Oct 19, 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 Krita pricing and PaintTool SAI pricing.
Key Takeaways
Krita
- Has a free plan
PaintTool SAI
- Choose if you want lightweight painting software for digital artists with amazing anti-aliased drawings
What the data shows
On the data below, Krita leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- User ratings are within 0.2 points (4.3/5 from 147 reviews for Krita, 4.4/5 from 72 reviews for PaintTool SAI).
- PaintTool SAI sells one-time packs from $37 (no subscription).
- 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 Krita and PaintTool SAI compare in 2026?
On the data below, Krita leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. User ratings are within 0.2 points (4.3/5 from 147 reviews for Krita, 4.4/5 from 72 reviews for PaintTool SAI). PaintTool SAI sells one-time packs from $37 (no subscription). Only Krita has a free plan.
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 free. PaintTool SAI sells one-time packs from $37 (no subscription). Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 19, 2026.
What's the main difference between Krita and PaintTool SAI?
Krita's main strength: free digital painting. PaintTool SAI's main strength: lightweight and performs well on older systems.