Top 10 Free Alternatives to Krita in 2025

In 2025, digital artists have a plethora of alternatives to Krita for achieving stunning digital art. Here’s a detailed look at the top 10 free alternatives, along with their features and where to find them.

Boost Your SEO by Getting Featured in Our Blogs and get a backlink.

We publish content about startups, education, tech, funding, etc. that ranks well not only in Google but also in Perplexity, ChatGPT, Grok and other AI tools.

👉 Get featured now!

1. GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program)

Description: GIMP is a powerful, open-source image editor that rivals Adobe Photoshop, offering an extensive range of tools for editing, retouching, and creation.
Key Features:
Extensive range of tools including brushes, layers, and masks.
Highly customizable interface.
Supports plugins for extended functionality.
Cross-platform compatibility (Windows, macOS, Linux).
Suitable for both beginner and advanced users.
Data points:
User ratings: 4.3 out of 5 on G2 (1,445 reviews).
Used for photo retouching, digital painting, graphic design, and web design.
Cross-platform and supports a wide range of file formats.
Website: GIMP

2. MyPaint

Description: MyPaint offers a simple yet powerful painting experience with a focus on natural media simulation. Ideal for digital artists who value an infinite canvas.
Key Features:
Unlimited canvas size.
Highly customizable brushes.
Supports pressure-sensitive graphics tablets.
Simple and distraction-free interface.
Open-source and community-driven.
Data points:
User rating: 4.1 out of 5 on G2 (38 reviews).
Good for beginners with basics and customizable brushes for creating varied effects.
Requires a graphics tablet for the best experience.
Website: MyPaint

Get your FREE Landing Page Analysis!

Insert your landing page link and get a super useful analysis and easy fixes to get more clicks!

👉 Get Your Analysis Here!

3. FireAlpaca

Description: FireAlpaca is known for its lightweight structure and user-friendly interface, making it accessible for both novices and seasoned artists.
Key Features:
Simple and intuitive interface.
Easy-to-use tools and controls for quick illustrations.
Customizable pen options.
Supports layers and various drawing modes.
Available in multiple languages.
Data points:
Uses less RAM than Krita.
Cross-platform and brings new tools with each update.
Website: FireAlpaca

4. MediBang Paint Pro

Description: A versatile tool for digital painting and comic creation, MediBang Paint Pro is known for its lightweight design and cloud syncing features.
Key Features:
Numerous brushes, fonts, and resources.
Supports comic panel creation.
Cloud storage for easy collaboration.
Cross-platform compatibility (Windows, macOS, iOS, Android).
Suitable for both illustrations and comics.
Data points:
User rating: 4.4 out of 5 on Softonic.
Offers cloud syncing with free access to a vast range of resources.
Website: MediBang Paint Pro

5. Sketchbook

Description: Autodesk Sketchbook boasts a clean, intuitive interface and professional-grade features, making it perfect for both quick sketches and detailed artworks.
Key Features:
Customizable brushes and tools.
Supports layers and blending modes.
Suitable for both sketching and detailed painting.
Available on multiple platforms, including mobile.
Data points:
User rating: 4.4 out of 5 on G2 (172 reviews).
Extensive drawing tools and mobile compatibility.
Website: Sketchbook

Validate your startup idea with the unique borrowed authority approach: we publish articles about your product in our blog and you get traffic and testers for your MVP

Prove Market Demand: See real organic traffic and waitlist conversions

Unlock High-Potential Keywords: Receive a curated list of top-performing keywords directly from Google Search Console data.

Estimate Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC): Gain financial foresight with an estimated CAC based on real keyword performance data.

🔗 Start validating your startup now

6. Artweaver Free

Description: Artweaver Free offers an array of tools and brushes suitable for both beginners and seasoned artists, simulating various natural media.
Key Features:
Variety of realistic brushes (pencils, chalks, oils, etc.).
Layer support and blending modes.
Customizable brush settings.
Supports tablets and pressure sensitivity.
User-friendly interface.
Data points:
Simulates various natural media with robust brush options.
Supports tablets and pressure sensitivity.
Website: Artweaver Free

7. ibisPaint X

Description: ibisPaint X, primarily for mobile platforms, offers an extensive array of tools and a thriving community for digital artists on the go.
Key Features:
Over 15,000 brushes.
Various drawing modes and tools.
Layer functionality and blending options.
Customizable brush settings.
Active community for sharing art.
Data points:
User rating: 4.7 out of 5 on Capterra UK (20 reviews).
Mobile-first with comprehensive features.
Website: ibisPaint X

8. Paint 3D

Description: Built-in with Windows 10 and 11, Paint 3D provides basic drawing and 3D model creation tools, suitable for casual use.
Key Features:
Simple and easy-to-use interface.
Basic 2D and 3D painting tools.
Supports the creation of simple 3D models.
Good for beginners and casual users.
Pre-installed on many Windows computers.
Data points:
User rating: 4.3 out of 5 on Capterra UK (94 reviews).
Pre-installed on many Windows computers.
Website: (Pre-installed on Windows)

9. Photopea

Description: Photopea is a free, web-based editor supporting both raster and vector graphics, known as a browser-based alternative to Photoshop.
Key Features:
Supports PSD, XCF, and other file formats.
Includes a wide range of editing and painting tools.
Works directly in a web browser (no download needed).
Good for both graphic design and digital painting.
Supports custom Photoshop brushes.
Data points:
User rating: 4.5 out of 5 on Capterra UK (101 reviews).
Web-based versatility and extensive format support.
Website: Photopea

10. Inkscape

Description: Inkscape is an open-source vector graphics editor akin to Adobe Illustrator, great for digital art, especially vector illustrations and logos.
Key Features:
Powerful vector drawing tools.
Supports a number of file formats.
Can be used to create logos, illustrations, and diagrams.
Cross-platform compatibility.
Free to download.
Data points:
User rating: 4.4 out of 5 on Capterra UK (503 reviews).
Suitable for creating detailed vector graphics affordable alternative to Illustrator.
Website: Inkscape

Ensuring ample options to suit various artistic needs, these free alternatives to Krita are remarkable choices for digital painting and illustrations.

Join ElonaHunt (like ProductHunt but for women) and explore the coolest women-focused startups out there!

Discover your next big inspiration and connect with like-minded female entrepreneurs!

👉 Join the Hunt Here

FAQ

1. What is a good free alternative to Krita for beginners?

MyPaint is a great option for beginners with its simple, distraction-free interface and powerful tools. Learn more about MyPaint

2. Which free alternative to Krita has cloud syncing capabilities?

MediBang Paint Pro offers cloud storage for easy collaboration and is cross-platform compatible. Discover MediBang Paint Pro

3. What is an excellent free alternative for natural media simulation?

Artweaver Free is ideal for simulating various natural media like pencils, chalks, and oils. Explore Artweaver Free

4. Which free software is best for creating both 2D and 3D models?

Paint 3D, bundled with Windows 10 and 11, offers basic tools for 2D and 3D painting and modeling.

5. Can you suggest a free mobile app for digital painting?

ibisPaint X is a powerful mobile app available on both iOS and Android with over 15,000 brushes. Learn more about ibisPaint X

6. Which free alternative to Krita supports both raster and vector graphics?

Photopea is a web-based editor that supports both raster and vector graphics and runs directly in the browser. Check out Photopea

7. What is a suitable free alternative for creating comics?

FireAlpaca offers easy-to-use tools and controls for quick illustrations and is well-suited for creating comics. More about FireAlpaca

8. Which free software provides an extensive range of professional-grade features for illustrators?

Autodesk Sketchbook is known for its professional-grade features and clean interface. Discover Sketchbook

9. What free software is comparable to Adobe Photoshop?

GIMP is a powerful, open-source image editor that is often compared to Adobe Photoshop. Learn more about GIMP

10. Which free vector graphics editor is a strong alternative to Adobe Illustrator?

Inkscape is an open-source vector graphics editor, ideal for making illustrations and logos. Explore Inkscape

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.