Krita vs Photopea: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Krita and Photopea 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: Photopea wins this matchup. Our overall Graphic Design pick is Adobe Creative Cloud. Our free Graphic Design pick is GIMP. Pick Krita if you need graphic design.
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
Photopea
Powerful Photoshop-like image editor, no installation needed
Best for you if:
- • You need image editing features specifically
- • Photopea is a free online photo editor compatible with PSD files
- • It provides Photoshop-like editing in the browser without installation
| At a Glance |  Krita |  Photopea |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Graphic Design | Image Editing |
Rating | 4.4/5 | 4.5/5 |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose Krita or Photopea?
Choose Krita if
Free digital painting and illustration software
- Free digital painting
- Professional brushes
- Animation support
- You want a fully free tool (Photopea requires payment)
- Your work is graphic design-shaped, not image editing-shaped
Choose Photopea if
Powerful Photoshop-like image editor, no installation needed
- Free Photoshop alternative
- Browser-based
- PSD support
- Your work is image editing-shaped, not graphic design-shaped
| Feature | Krita | Photopea |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Freemium |
| User Rating | ★4.4/5 145 reviews | ★4.5/5 134 reviews |
| Categories | Graphic DesignUI/UX Design | Image EditingGraphic 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
Photopea
Powerful Photoshop-like image editor, no installation needed
Photopea's pricing is incredibly generous, offering a fully-featured Photoshop alternative for free, albeit with ads.
Strengths
- +Free Photoshop alternative
- +Browser-based
- +PSD support
- +No install needed
- +Feature rich
Weaknesses
- -Ads on free
- -Performance varies
- -No offline mode
- -Less powerful than PS
- -Learning curve
Key features
Pricing: Krita vs Photopea
| Plan | Krita | Photopea |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Free | Free Free |
| Tier 2 | N/A | $5 month Premium |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Krita pricing and Photopea pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Krita is free. Photopea is freemium.
Go with: Krita
Want the highest-rated option?
Krita: 4.4/5 (145 reviews). Photopea: 4.5/5 (134 reviews).
Go with: Photopea
Value user reviews?
Krita: 145 reviews (4.4/5). Photopea: 134 reviews (4.5/5).
Go with: Krita
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Krita is free. Photopea is freemium. Go with Krita if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Krita is a graphic design tool. Photopea is in image editing. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Photopea is rated higher: 4.5/5 vs 4.4/5.
Key Takeaways
Photopea
- Higher user rating: 4.5/5 vs 4.4/5
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Krita
- Completely free
- Larger review base (145 reviews)
- Better fit for graphic design
The Bottom Line
Photopea wins this matchup. Our overall Graphic Design pick is Adobe Creative Cloud. Our free Graphic Design pick is GIMP. That said, Krita is free, hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Krita or Photopea better?
Photopea is rated in our evaluation. Krita is free and Photopea is freemium.
What are Krita and Photopea used for?
Krita: Free digital painting and illustration software. Photopea: Powerful Photoshop-like image editor, no installation needed.
What does Krita cost vs Photopea?
Krita is completely free. Photopea is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.