Skip to content
Toolradar
Krita logo

Krita

Claim this toolEditor reviewed

Free digital painting and illustration software

Graphic DesignUI/UX DesignImage Editing
Visit Website
Reviews onG2CapterraSourceForge
143 reviews tracked

The Bottom Line

Entry price

Free, no paid tier

Biggest pro

Free digital painting

Biggest con

Not for photo editing

TL;DR - Krita

  • Krita is a free digital painting program for illustrators and concept artists
  • It provides professional-grade brushes, layers, and animation tools
  • Completely free and open-source
Pricing: Free forever
Best for: Individuals & startups
4.4/5 across review platforms

What is Krita?

Editorial review
Krita provides digital painting tools for artists. Brushes, layers, and painting features-professional creative software that's free and open source. The brush engine is powerful. The painting features are comprehensive. The community contributes. Digital artists wanting professional painting tools without cost choose Krita for creative freedom.

Available on: Windows, macOS, Linux

how we evaluateSourcekrita.org ↗

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Free digital painting
  • Professional brushes
  • Animation support
  • Cross-platform
  • Active development

Cons

  • Not for photo editing
  • Resource heavy
  • Learning curve
  • UI overwhelming
  • Tablet issues sometimes

Ratings Across the Web

4.4(143 reviews)
G263 reviews
4.4/5
Capterra79 reviews
4.4/5
SourceForge1 reviews
5/5

Ratings aggregated from independent review platforms. Learn more

Key Features

Digital paintingAnimationBrushesLayersOpen sourceFree

Pricing Plans

Pricing checked Jul 9, 2026

Most Popular

Free

Free

Open source

  • Digital painting
  • Animation
  • Brush engines
  • Layer support
Calculate your costView full pricing

Reviews

Improve Your Thinking Patterns Using ChatGPT cover
$99Free with your review

Review Krita, get a free AI guide

Share your experience and we will send you Improve Your Thinking Patterns Using ChatGPT, free.

Write a review
4.4/5

Across 143 verified user reviews on Capterra, G2, SourceForge

Add your hands-on experience using the offer above to help the next buyer.

Best Krita Alternatives

Top alternatives based on features, pricing, and user needs.

View full list →
Adobe Photoshop logo
Adobe PhotoshopPaid

The industry-standard image editing and graphic design software for creative professionals.

4.5
Procreate logo
ProcreatePaid

Digital illustration app for iPad

4.8
Clip Studio Paint logo
Clip Studio PaintPaid

Digital art and manga creation software

4.6
PaintTool SAI logo
PaintTool SAIPaid

Lightweight painting software for digital artists with amazing anti-aliased drawings.

4.4
Autodesk Sketchbook logo
Autodesk SketchbookFree

Capture ideas and create finished artwork with a natural drawing experience.

4.5
Corel Painter logo
Corel PainterPaid

Unleash your creativity with a versatile digital art studio for painting, illustration, and photo art.

4.5
See all graphic design tools →

Still deciding?

Most buyers shortlist 2 or 3 tools before committing. Pull a side-by-side comparison or browse the full alternatives shortlist below.

All Krita alternatives6+ tools ranked, pricing + verdict per pickKrita vs Adobe PhotoshopHead-to-head: features, pricing, who winsKrita vs ProcreateHead-to-head: features, pricing, who winsKrita vs Clip Studio PaintHead-to-head: features, pricing, who wins

Explore More

Best Graphic Design ToolsBest UI/UX Design ToolsBest Image Editing ToolsBest Free Graphic DesignBest Free UI/UX DesignBest Free Image Editing

Krita FAQ

How does Krita support digital artists in their workflow?

Krita provides comprehensive digital painting tools, including a powerful brush engine and extensive layer capabilities, to support artists in their creative process. It offers professional features for illustration and graphic design without any cost.

Which teams would benefit most from using Krita?

Krita is best suited for individual digital artists or small creative teams focused on illustration, graphic design, or UI/UX design. Its professional painting tools and animation support cater to those needing robust artistic capabilities.

How is Krita priced?

Krita is completely free to use, making professional digital painting and illustration tools accessible without any required paid plans. It operates on an open-source model, supported by an active community.

What kind of limitations should users be aware of when considering Krita?

Krita is not designed for photo editing and can be resource-heavy, potentially leading to a steep learning curve for new users. Some users may also experience an overwhelming user interface or occasional tablet compatibility issues.

Can Krita be used for animation projects?

Yes, Krita includes robust animation support, allowing artists to create animated sequences directly within the software. This feature is part of its comprehensive suite of professional painting tools.

How does Krita compare to Adobe Photoshop for digital painting?

Krita focuses specifically on digital painting and illustration, offering professional brushes and advanced painting features, whereas Adobe Photoshop is a broader image manipulation tool. Krita is also free and open-source, unlike Photoshop.

Does Krita offer cross-platform compatibility?

Yes, Krita is cross-platform, meaning it can be used on various operating systems. This allows artists to maintain their workflow across different devices and environments.

Source: krita.org

Guides & Articles

Best Graphic Design Software in 2026

Expert guide

9 Best Free Graphic Design Software (2026)

8 min read