Top 10 Open Source Alternatives to ARTRazor Digital Sketch in 2025

Digital sketching has seen immense growth in recent years, and while ARTRazor remains popular among artists, there are several excellent open-source alternatives that offer powerful features and versatility. Here is a comprehensive look at the top 10 open-source alternatives to ARTRazor Digital Sketch in 2025:

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1. Krita

Description: A powerful, free and open-source painting program designed by artists for artists. It's suitable for creating illustrations, comics, and animations.
Key Features:
Highly customizable brush engine with over 100 brushes.
Advanced layer management with support for masks and various blending modes.
Drawing aids for lines, vanishing points, and shapes.
Supports various file formats, including PSD.
Tools for creating comics and manga, including panel templates and perspective tools.
Operating Systems: Linux, macOS, Windows
Link: Learn more about Krita

2. MyPaint

Description: A free and open-source graphics program with a focus on painting. It features an unlimited canvas and a variety of brushes, also supporting graphics tablets.
Key Features:
Unlimited canvas, allowing for large-scale artwork.
A variety of customizable brushes, allowing for different artistic styles.
Good graphics tablet support.
Focus on a natural painting feel with minimal UI distractions.
Open-source.
Operating Systems: Linux, macOS, Windows
Link: Learn more about MyPaint

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3. GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program)

Description: A free and open-source image editing program that can also be used for digital painting and drawing, comparable to Photoshop in its features.
Key Features:
Extensive image manipulation tools.
Customizable interface with modding options to look like Photoshop.
Support for various file formats and plugins.
Tools for painting, drawing, and illustration.
Open source and free.
Operating Systems: Linux, macOS, Windows
Link: Learn more about GIMP

4. Inkscape

Description: A professional-quality, free and open-source vector graphics editor. It's ideal for creating logos, illustrations, and other scalable artwork.
Key Features:
Robust vector drawing tools, including Bezier and Spiro curves.
Broad file compatibility.
Tools for Z-order operations, layers, and image alignment in multi-line texts.
Open-source and free.
Cross-program functionality with GIMP.
Operating Systems: Linux, macOS, Windows
Link: Learn more about Inkscape

5. Vectr

Description: A free, browser-based vector graphics editor that's easy to use. Suitable for beginners and casual users needing quick solutions.
Key Features:
Simple and intuitive interface.
Basic vector tools, including shape tools and pen tool.
Browser-based, compatible with ChromeOS, Mac, Linux, and Windows.
Tools for aligning and arranging elements.
Free.
Operating Systems: Browser-based (ChromeOS, Mac, Linux, Windows)
Link: Learn more about Vectr

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6. Sketchbook

Description: While it has a freemium pricing model, it also has a free version and is considered a great option for artists and designers, with customizable brushes, precision tools and blendable layers.
Key Features:
Customizable brushes
Precision tools
Blendable layers
User friendly.
Operating Systems: Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android.
Link: Learn more about Sketchbook

7. YouiDraw Painter

Description: A free online tool with customizable brushes and unique design options.
Key Features:
Customizable brushes
Various drawing styles
Unique design options
Available in the Chrome Web Store.
Free
Operating Systems: Chrome Web Store.
Link: Learn more about YouiDraw Painter

8. FireAlpaca

Description: A free digital painting software close to Paint Tool SAI.
Key Features:
Lightweight and easy to use.
Good for digital painting and manga creation.
Free.
Operating Systems: Linux, macOS, Windows
Link: Learn more about FireAlpaca

9. MediBang Paint

Description: Free digital painting and manga creation software, similar to Paint Tool SAI. Good for collaboration.
Key Features:
Free to use.
Good for manga creation.
Allows collaboration.
Operating Systems: Linux, macOS, Windows
Link: Learn more about MediBang Paint

10. Photopea

Description: A free online photo editor that can use custom Photoshop brushes and is an alternative to Photoshop.
Key Features:
Uses custom Photoshop brushes.
Online and free.
Good alternative to Photoshop.
Operating Systems: Browser based
Link: Learn more about Photopea

These 10 options provide a variety of features and cater to different needs, whether you're focused on painting, illustration, vector graphics, or photo editing. They are all either free or have a free version and are mostly open source.

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FAQ

1. What is Krita best for?

Krita is a powerful, free and open-source painting program designed by artists for artists. It's suitable for creating illustrations, comics, and animations. Learn more about Krita

2. What features does MyPaint offer for digital painting?

MyPaint features an unlimited canvas, a variety of customizable brushes, and good graphics tablet support, focusing on a natural painting feel with minimal UI distractions. Discover MyPaint

3. Can GIMP be used for digital painting and drawing?

Yes, GIMP is a free and open-source image editing program with tools for painting, drawing, and illustration, comparable to Photoshop in its features. Explore GIMP

4. What type of artwork is Inkscape best for creating?

Inkscape is ideal for creating logos, illustrations, and other scalable vector artwork, providing robust vector drawing tools and broad file compatibility. Learn more about Inkscape

5. Is Vectr suitable for beginners?

Yes, Vectr is a free, browser-based vector graphics editor with a simple and intuitive interface, suitable for beginners and casual users needing quick solutions. Discover Vectr

6. Does Sketchbook have a free version?

Yes, Sketchbook has a free version and is a great option for artists and designers, with customizable brushes, precision tools, and blendable layers. Explore Sketchbook

7. Where can I access YouiDraw Painter?

YouiDraw Painter is a free online tool with customizable brushes and unique design options, available in the Chrome Web Store. Learn more about YouiDraw Painter

8. What makes FireAlpaca a good digital painting software?

FireAlpaca is a free digital painting software that is lightweight and easy to use, making it good for digital painting and manga creation. Discover FireAlpaca

9. Can MediBang Paint be used for collaboration?

Yes, MediBang Paint is a free digital painting and manga creation software that allows for collaboration and is similar to Paint Tool SAI. Explore MediBang Paint

10. What distinguishes Photopea from other online photo editors?

Photopea is a free online photo editor that supports custom Photoshop brushes and serves as a good alternative to Photoshop. Learn more about Photopea

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.