What is the best app for drawing?

This article will introduce you to the most popular painting software currently on the market, including the scope of application of each software. There are software for professionals as well as software for beginners. It compares 11 different tools, including both free and paid options, detailing their features, pricing, and compatible devices. Popular tools like  Clip Studio Paint and Photoshop are highlighted as top choices among users. You can refer the article to choose the right tool based on your environment (e.g., PC, tablet, or smartphone) and your artistic goals, such as casual illustration, manga creation, or professional work.

Read on to view our top recommended art apps for each device, including the best free drawing software available today. Simple click on an app name to jump to our detailed review.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Introduction to Main Painting Software
  • 1. Clip Studio Paint
  • 2. Adobe Photoshop
  • 3. Procreate
  • 4. Krita
  • 5. MediBang Paint
  • 6. FireAlpaca
  • 7. PaintTool SAI
  • 8. openCanvas
  • 9. GIMP 2
  • 10. Pixiv Sketch
  • 11. Adobe Fresco
  • 12. ibisPaint
• Comparison Table    

Introduction to Main Painting Software

1. Clip Studio Paint

Manufacturer: CELSYS
Supported OS: Windows / macOS / iPad / iPhone / Android

Key features:

• Industry standard software for manga and illustration
• Smooth, stable pen performance for crisp line art
• Packed with manga tools: 3D models, screentones, perspective rulers
• Includes animation features

Pricing:

• Monthly subscription or single purchase (PRO / EX)
• Perpetual License (Windows/macOS): $58.50 USD for PRO; $258 USD for EX.
• Subscription (iPad/iPhone/Android/Windows/macOS): Starting from $0.99 USD/month.
• Extra offers are available for multi-device usage.

Best for: Manga artists, illustrators, animators

2. Adobe Photoshop

Manufacturer: Adobe
Supported OS: Windows / macOS / iPad

Key features:

• The gold standard for image editing and digital painting
• Powerful brush engine with tons of custom brushes
• Highly versatile: photo editing, retouching, design, painting
• Advanced layer and mask controls

Pricing:

• Costs $22.99 USD/month, with payments via credit card, PayPal, or wire transfer.

Trial Version:

•  Download the seven-day free trial here. Requires Adobe ID registration and a valid payment method (auto-billed post-trial).

Best for: Designers, digital artists, photographers

3. Procreate

Manufacturer: Savage Interactive
Supported OS: iPad only

Key features:

• Affordable yet highly capable iPad drawing app
• Intuitive controls and smooth, responsive performance
• Excellent brush engine with deep customization
• Built-in recording and basic animation tools

Pricing:

• One-time purchase: $12.99 USD on the App Store.

Best for: Casual iPad artists, beginner to intermediate illustrators

4. Krita

Manufacturer: Open-source community
Supported OS: Windows / macOS / Linux

Key features:

• Completely free, open-source painting software
• Professional-grade brush engine
• Includes animation tools and vector layers
• Popular for concept art and illustration

Pricing:

• Free to download from the official website. (donations optional) 
• Paid version ($12.99 USD) available for automatic updates.

Best for: Anyone wanting a full-featured painting tool at no cost

5. MediBang Paint

Manufacturer: MediBang
Supported OS: Windows / macOS / iPad / iPhone / Android

Key features:

• Completely free manga and illustration software
• Cloud storage for cross-device collaboration
• Vast library of tones, fonts, and backgrounds
• Lightweight, runs well on smartphones

Pricing:

• Free to download from the official site.(no ads)
  Premium membership available for 2,480 JPY or $18 USD/year, offering increased storage and advanced features.

Best for: Beginners, students, anyone on a budget

6. FireAlpaca

Manufacturer: FireAlpaca Team
Supported OS: Windows / macOS

Key features:

• Lightweight, simple, and fast
• Free version offers more than enough features
• Includes perspective rulers and basic animation

Pricing:

• Free version available (with some ads displayed). 
• Paid version "FireAlpaca SE": ~$25 one-time

Support & Usage:

• Instead of an in-app manual, the official website provides a manual and illustration tips collection. This includes guides on using the software and explanations of CG terms used in it. Books on how to use the software are also introduced on the official site.

Best for: Those who want a simple, fast, no-fuss drawing tool

7. PaintTool SAI

Manufacturer: Systemax
Supported OS: Windows

Key features:

• Extremely stable pen feel
• Powerful stabilizer for smooth, clean line art
• Lightweight, focused purely on drawing

Pricing:

• One-time purchase: ~$45 (around ¥5,500 in Japan)

Support:

• Features a FAQ page and simple manual on the official website.

Best for: Windows illustrators who value high-quality line art

8. openCanvas

Supported OS: Windows

Key features:

• Unique "drawing playback" feature (record and replay your process)
• Lightweight and stable
• Highly customizable brushes

Pricing:

• Download Version: New Purchase: 6,800 JPY (tax included) / Upgrade Purchase: 2,700 JPY (tax included).
• Boxed Version: Standard Edition: 7,800 JPY (excluding tax) / Guidebook Bundle Edition: 8,800 JPY (excluding tax).

How to Obtain:

• Downloadable from the official site or Steam, or purchasable as boxed versions at retail stores or online platforms.

Best for: Artists who want to record and share their drawing process

9. GIMP 2

Supported OS: Windows / macOS

Key features:

• Completely free, open-source image editor
• Robust layer, mask, and filter tools (similar to Photoshop)
• Solid painting features, extendable with plugins
• Steeper learning curve, but extremely powerful

Pricing:

• Free to download from the official website. 

Best for: Anyone needing free image editing + painting capabilities

10. Pixiv Sketch

Supported OS: iPad / iPhone / Android / Windows / macOS

Key features:

• Official free drawing app from pixiv
• Simple and easy to use for beginners and pros alike
• Strong social media integration – share instantly
• Browse others' work and receive comments
• Good selection of brushes and materials

Pricing:

• Free

How to get it:

• For iPad/iPhone: Download from the App Store.
• For Android: Download from Google Play.
• For PC (Windows/macOS): Access via the pixiv Sketch website.

Best for: Artists who want to draw and share quickly, and engage with a community

11. Adobe Fresco

Supported OS: iPad / iPhone / Windows (primarily iPad and Windows)

Key features:

• Professional drawing app from Adobe
• Supports both vector and raster
• Realistic watercolor and oil brushes (Live Brushes)
• Seamless integration with Photoshop and Illustrator
• Free version is very capable

Pricing:

• Free version available (limited features). Download the seven-day free trial here. 
• Full version included with: Photoshop single plan (~21/month)orCreativeCloudAllApps( 21/month)orCreativeCloudAllApps( 55/month)
• Fresco standalone subscription: ~$10/month

Best for: Adobe users, illustrators who want realistic traditional media feel

12. ibisPaint

Manufacturer: ibis inc.
Supported OS: iOS / Android / Windows / iPad / iPhone

Key features:

• Free, easy-to-use drawing app for phones and tablets
• 47,000+ brushes, 23,000+ materials (tones, backgrounds, speech bubbles)
• Manga features: panel division, screentones, text input
• Animation features included
• Record your drawing process and share on social media
• Very beginner-friendly

Pricing:

• Free version (with ads)
• Paid version (ad-free):
  • Ad-free mobile version: $14.99 USD.
  • Pro Add-on (PC version): $41.99 USD.
  • Prime Membership: $4.49 USD/month or $27.99 USD/year.

Support:

• FAQs and tutorials are provided on the official website, and users can contact support via the contact form.

Best for: Beginners, students, anyone who wants to draw on mobile devices and share their work online

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Comparison Table