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

As we move ahead in 2025, the landscape for digital painting and illustration tools continues to expand. While Autodesk SketchBook remains a popular choice, there are numerous compelling alternatives that artists might explore for unique features, pricing options, and platforms. This article provides detailed insights into the top 10 alternatives to SketchBook, with a focus on key features, user focus, and availability.

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1. Krita

Pricing: Free
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux
Key Features:
Customizable brush engines with various brush types.
Layer management with masking, blending modes, and filters.
Animation tools and perspective drawing aids.
Supports various color management systems.
Extensive file format support including PSD.
User Focus: Suitable for both beginners and experienced artists, particularly those on a budget. Learn more about Krita

2. GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program)

Pricing: Free
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux
Key Features:
Comprehensive suite of painting tools with brushes, pencils, and airbrushes.
Layer support with masking and blending modes.
Advanced features for photo manipulation and editing.
Highly customizable interface and plugin support.
Supports various file formats and scripting capabilities.
User Focus: A good alternative for users seeking an open-source image editing solution with powerful capabilities. Learn more about GIMP

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3. Procreate

Pricing: One-time purchase (around $9.99)
Platforms: iOS (iPad)
Key Features:
Highly responsive and natural painting experience with Apple Pencil.
QuickShape tool for creating perfect shapes.
Animation Assist tool.
Time-lapse recording feature.
Wide array of customizable brushes and tools.
User Focus: Ideal for digital illustrators and artists who prefer using an iPad for their work. Learn more about Procreate

4. Clip Studio Paint

Pricing: One-time purchase or subscription options.
Platforms: Windows, macOS, iPad, Android, iPhone
Key Features:
Extensive range of tools for drawing, painting, and animation.
Specialized features for creating comics and manga.
Customizable brushes and 3D model integration.
Layer management with advanced coloring options.
Frequent updates with new tools and features.
User Focus: Favored by illustrators, comic artists, and animators, both beginners and professionals. Learn more about Clip Studio Paint

5. Affinity Designer

Pricing: One-time purchase
Platforms: Windows, macOS, iPad
Key Features:
Robust vector editing tools.
Supports both vector and raster workflows.
Integration with Affinity Photo and Publisher.
Great for logos, illustrations, and web design.
Professional capabilities with a good range of features.
User Focus: Great for independent designers seeking a powerful alternative to Adobe products. Learn more about Affinity Designer

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6. Adobe Photoshop

Pricing: Subscription-based (part of Adobe Creative Cloud)
Platforms: Windows, macOS
Key Features:
Extremely diverse and customizable brush sets.
Robust tools for photo editing and manipulation.
Advanced layer management and AI-powered features.
Seamless integration with other Adobe products.
Excellent for creating high-resolution, detailed artwork.
User Focus: For professional designers, photographers, and digital artists who need advanced and robust features. Learn more about Adobe Photoshop

7. ibis Paint X

Pricing: Free (with in-app purchases for add-ons)
Platforms: Android, iOS
Key Features:
Over 47,000 brushes, 21,000 materials, and 2,100 fonts.
Layer management and customizable tools.
Video recording of the drawing process.
SNS sharing features.
Filters and blending modes.
User Focus: Great for digital artists on the go, also suitable for beginners and professionals alike. Learn more about ibis Paint X

8. Corel Painter

Pricing: One-time purchase
Platforms: Windows, macOS
Key Features:
Realistic brush simulations.
Customizable brush library.
Supports ultra-high-resolution work with improved performance.
Many drawing support tools such as color blending modes.
Color blending and brush effects.
User Focus: Ideal for artists who prefer the feel of traditional painting techniques in a digital environment. Learn more about Corel Painter

9. ArtRage

Pricing: One time purchase
Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
Key Features:
Wide range of traditional art tools like oil paint, watercolors, and pencils.
Realistic mixing and blending of colors.
Layer support and customizable tools.
Good for artists seeking a natural media experience in digital art.
Intuitive and easy to learn interface.
User Focus: Suited for artists who want to replicate traditional art styles digitally. Learn more about ArtRage

10. MyPaint

Pricing: Free
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux
Key Features:
Unlimited canvas size.
Customizable brushes and layering features.
Simple and intuitive interface.
Tablet-friendly with pressure sensitivity support.
Good for tablet users seeking a focused drawing environment.
User Focus: Suitable for artists seeking an uncluttered digital painting experience, especially for tablet use. Learn more about MyPaint

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FAQ

1. What is Krita and how much does it cost?

Krita is a free and open-source painting program designed for concept artists, illustrators, and texture artists. Learn more about Krita

2. Is GIMP a good alternative to Autodesk SketchBook?

Yes, GIMP is a free and open-source image editor with a wide range of tools for drawing, retouching, and image composition. Explore GIMP

3. What is the pricing for Procreate and which platform is it available on?

Procreate is available exclusively for iPad and costs around $9.99 as a one-time purchase. Discover Procreate

4. What features make Clip Studio Paint a good alternative to Autodesk SketchBook?

Clip Studio Paint offers an extensive range of tools for drawing, painting, and animation, specializing in creating comics and manga. Learn more about Clip Studio Paint

5. What distinguishes Affinity Designer from other graphic design software?

Affinity Designer is known for its robust vector editing tools, support for both vector and raster workflows, and integration with Affinity Photo and Publisher. Explore Affinity Designer

6. Why do professionals prefer Adobe Photoshop?

Adobe Photoshop is favored for its extremely diverse and customizable brush sets, advanced photo editing and manipulation tools, and seamless integration with other Adobe products. Learn more about Adobe Photoshop

7. What features make ibis Paint X a popular drawing app?

ibis Paint X offers over 47,000 brushes, 21,000 materials, layer management, and video recording of the drawing process, making it versatile for mobile platforms. Discover ibis Paint X

8. Is Corel Painter suitable for traditional artists transitioning to digital?

Yes, Corel Painter is ideal for artists who prefer traditional painting techniques, offering realistic brush simulations and an extensive customizable brush library. Learn more about Corel Painter

9. How does ArtRage cater to artists seeking a natural media experience?

ArtRage provides a range of traditional art tools like oil paint and watercolors, realistic mixing and blending of colors, and a user-friendly interface. Discover ArtRage

10. What makes MyPaint a strong alternative for digital artists using tablets?

MyPaint offers an unlimited canvas size, customizable brushes, and a simple, distraction-free interface, making it ideal for tablet users. Learn more about MyPaint

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.