Top 10 Open Source Alternatives to Autodesk SketchBook in 2025: A Comprehensive Comparison

In 2025, the landscape for digital painting and drawing software has expanded with numerous open-source alternatives to Autodesk SketchBook. Whether you’re a professional artist, an enthusiast, or a beginner, these tools offer a variety of features to meet your creative needs. Here, we explore the top 10 open-source alternatives, detailing their capabilities, platforms, and target users.

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1. Krita

Cost: Free and Open Source
Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android
Features: Wide array of customizable brushes, layer support, vector tools, drawing aids, animation tools, color management, resource manager
User Level: Suitable for both beginners and professional artists
Strengths: Highly customizable, feature-rich, and comparable to paid software. Strong community support and frequent updates.
Learn more about Krita

2. GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program)

Cost: Free and Open Source
Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux
Features: Extensive set of tools for painting, retouching, and editing, customizable brushes, layers, filters, support for plugins
User Level: Suitable for a range of users, from beginners to professionals
Strengths: Powerful and versatile, a close open-source alternative to Adobe Photoshop, cross-platform
Explore GIMP

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3. MyPaint

Cost: Free and Open Source
Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux
Features: Unlimited canvas, variety of brushes, support for graphics tablets, layer support, and a simple interface
User Level: Best for professionals and hobbyist illustrators
Strengths: Designed for natural media simulation, good for use with drawing tablets, and has a focus on painting
Discover MyPaint

4. Inkscape

Cost: Free and Open Source
Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux
Features: Flexible drawing tools, text tools, wide range of file format compatibility, layers, and object manipulation capabilities
User Level: Suitable for both beginners and experienced vector artists
Strengths: Powerful for vector artwork, excellent for creating scalable graphics, and a strong open-source alternative to Adobe Illustrator
Learn more about Inkscape

5. MediBang Paint Pro

Cost: Free
Platform: Windows, macOS, Android, iOS
Features: Variety of brushes, layers, comic panel creation tools, cloud storage, and a user-friendly interface
User Level: Good for beginners and comic/manga artists
Strengths: Cloud syncing, versatile for various drawing needs, and available on multiple devices
Explore MediBang Paint Pro

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6. Blender

Cost: Free and Open Source
Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux
Features: 3D modeling, sculpting, animation, rendering, and also includes 2D animation capabilities
User Level: More advanced, geared towards 3D and animation professionals
Strengths: All-in-one 3D creation suite with 2D animation and drawing capabilities, highly versatile and widely used in professional environments
Discover Blender

7. Tux Paint

Cost: Free and Open Source
Platform: Windows, macOS, Android, Linux
Features: Simple interface, large brush sizes, fun sound effects, and an encouraging mascot. Includes stamps and "magic tools"
User Level: Geared toward children aged 3-12, but simple and fun for beginners of all ages
Strengths: Easy-to-use and creative, good for introducing digital drawing to kids
Learn more about Tux Paint

8. Dia Diagram Editor

Cost: Free and Open Source
Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux
Features: Support for more than 30 different diagram types, readymade objects, scripting using Python, and ability to read and write various image formats
User Level: Intended for software developers, database specialists, and other users who create technical diagrams
Strengths: Good for creating schematics and diagrams, rather than artwork
Explore Dia Diagram Editor

9. Artweaver Free

Cost: Free
Platform: Windows
Features: Realistic brush effects, a wide range of patterns and pens, layer-based system
User Level: Good for beginners and those looking for a realistic digital painting experience
Strengths: Provides realistic brush effects, good for building images up in layers, and user-friendly for beginners
Discover Artweaver Free

10. LibreCAD

Cost: Free and Open Source
Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux
Features: Support for DWG files, focuses on 2D drawing, and is suitable for schematic diagrams and architectural styles
User Level: Good for technical drawings and 2D design, but not intended for artwork
Strengths: Lightweight, easy on the computer, good for 2D architecture
Learn more about LibreCAD

These 10 options should give you a great starting point for exploring open-source alternatives to Autodesk SketchBook. Each has its own strengths and weaknesses, so the best choice for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences.

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FAQ

1. What is Krita best used for?

Krita is a professional, free, and open-source painting program ideal for digital painting, animation, and concept art. Explore Krita

2. Is GIMP a good alternative to Adobe Photoshop?

Yes, GIMP is a powerful and versatile open-source image editor, making it a close alternative to Adobe Photoshop. Learn more about GIMP

3. Who should use MyPaint?

MyPaint is best suited for professional and hobbyist illustrators looking for a distraction-free painting experience. Discover MyPaint

4. What type of graphics is Inkscape ideal for creating?

Inkscape is perfect for creating vector graphics such as illustrations, logos, and diagrams. Explore Inkscape

5. Is MediBang Paint Pro suitable for beginners?

Yes, MediBang Paint Pro is user-friendly and good for beginners, especially those interested in comic and manga creation. Learn more about MediBang Paint Pro

6. Can Blender be used for 2D animation and drawing?

Yes, Blender includes capabilities for 2D animation and drawing, in addition to its comprehensive 3D suite features. Explore Blender

7. What age group is Tux Paint designed for?

Tux Paint is designed for young children aged 3-12, but can be enjoyed by beginners of all ages. Discover Tux Paint

8. What is Dia Diagram Editor used for?

Dia Diagram Editor is used for creating flowcharts, network diagrams, database models, and various other technical diagrams. Learn more about Dia Diagram Editor

9. Is Artweaver Free a good choice for beginners?

Yes, Artweaver Free is user-friendly and provides realistic brush effects, making it ideal for beginners. Explore Artweaver Free

10. What are the main features of LibreCAD?

LibreCAD focuses on 2D drawing, supports DWG files, and is suitable for schematic diagrams and architectural styles. Discover LibreCAD

References

About the Author

Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.

Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).

She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond and launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks.

For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.

About the Publication

Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.

Mission and Purpose

Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.

Key Features

The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:

Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials

Impact and Growth

Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:

3,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
100+ startup tools built
5,000+ pieces of articles and news written

Partnerships

Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.

Recognition

Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.