Krita vs Pixlr: 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 Pixlr side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below, Krita leads on higher user rating. 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 (Pixlr requires payment)
Pixlr
Free online photo editor with AI tools and Photoshop-like capabilities
Best for you if:
- • You want free tier available
| At a Glance | Krita | Pixlr |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free 100% free | Free plan, paid from $1.49/mo, billed monthly Plus plan |
Category | Graphic Design Image Editing | Graphic Design Image Editing |
Rating | 4.3/5 Capterra 4.4 · G2 4.4 · SourceForge 2.5 147 reviews | 3.6/5 G2 4.4 · Capterra 4.4 · Trustpilot 1.6 974 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Watch out for | n/a | Team plan requires 5 premium seats minimum |
Choose Krita or Pixlr?
Choose Krita if
- You want a fully free tool (Pixlr requires payment)
- You want free digital painting
- You want professional brushes
Choose Pixlr if
- You want free tier available
- You want browser-based
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
Pixlr
Free online photo editor with AI tools and Photoshop-like capabilities
Pixlr's pricing is quite generous, especially for the entry-level paid tiers.
Watch out
Team plan requires 5 premium seats minimum
Strengths
- Pro: Free tier available
- Pro: Browser-based
- Pro: AI features
Weaknesses
- Con: Ads on free tier
- Con: Limited advanced tools
Key features
Plans and prices: Krita vs Pixlr
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Krita |
| krita.org read Sep 28, 2026 |
| Pixlr |
| pixlr.com/pricing read Oct 13, 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 Pixlr pricing.
Key Takeaways
Krita
- Higher user rating: 4.3/5 vs 3.6/5
Pixlr
- Choose if you want free online photo editor with AI tools and Photoshop-like capabilities
What the data shows
On the data below, Krita leads on higher user rating. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- Krita has the higher user rating (4.3/5 from 147 reviews for Krita, 3.6/5 from 974 reviews for Pixlr).
- Pixlr starts at $1.49/mo, billed monthly; Krita has no public paid plan price on file.
- Both have 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 Pixlr compare in 2026?
On the data below, Krita leads on higher user rating. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. Krita has the higher user rating (4.3/5 from 147 reviews for Krita, 3.6/5 from 974 reviews for Pixlr). Pixlr starts at $1.49/mo, billed monthly; Krita has no public paid plan price on file. Both have a free plan.
What are Krita and Pixlr used for?
Krita: Free digital painting and illustration software. Pixlr: Free online photo editor with AI tools and Photoshop-like capabilities.
What does Krita cost vs Pixlr?
Krita is free. Pixlr's cheapest paid plan is Plus at $1.49/mo, billed monthly; it also has a free plan. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 13, 2026.
What's the main difference between Krita and Pixlr?
Krita's main strength: free digital painting. Pixlr's main strength: free tier available.