Top 10 Open Source Alternatives to Procreate in 2025

Digital artists and illustrators frequently turn to the Procreate app for its exceptional capabilities, but for those seeking to explore open-source options, there are numerous impressive alternatives available. Below, we delve into the top 10 open-source alternatives to Procreate in 2025, each offering unique features and capabilities that cater to various digital art needs.

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1. Krita

Description: Krita is a professional, free, and open-source painting program designed for concept artists, illustrators, and texture artists. It's known for its robust brush engine and versatility.
Cost: Free and open-source.
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android tablets.
Brush Engine: Offers over 100 customizable brushes, with stabilization, and a wide variety of effects.
Features: Layer management, masks, blending modes, vector tools, drawing assistants, animation capabilities, and support for various file formats including PSD.
User Interface: Customizable interface with dockers and panels that can be moved and saved as workspaces.
Learn more about Krita

2. MyPaint

Description: MyPaint is a free, open-source graphics program designed for digital painters, emphasizing an unlimited canvas and a variety of brushes.
Cost: Free and open-source.
Platforms: Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Canvas: Offers an unlimited canvas to work on.
Brushes: Variety of brushes available, with support for graphics tablets.
Target User: Specifically created for artists.
Explore MyPaint

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3. GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program)

Description: GIMP is a free and open-source image editor used for photo retouching, image composition, and image authoring. It is a cross-platform software that is often seen as an alternative to Adobe Photoshop.
Cost: Free and open-source.
Platforms: Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Features: Includes retouch, color management, filters, and tools for creating icons and graphic design elements.
Functionality: Offers capabilities for painting, transformation, masking, text layers, animation, and scripting.
Use Cases: Ideal for both photo editing and graphic design work.
Learn more about GIMP

4. Blender

Description: Blender is a free and open-source 3D creation suite that can handle modeling, sculpting, rigging, animation, and VFX.
Cost: Free and open-source.
Platforms: Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Features: Offers tools for modeling, sculpting, rigging, animation, and rendering.
Customization: Highly customizable and flexible interface with the ability to add plugins.
Community: Has an active and large user community that shares tutorials and resources.
Discover Blender

5. Inkscape

Description: Inkscape is a free and open-source vector graphics editor used for creating logos, illustrations, and other vector artwork.
Cost: Free and open-source.
Platforms: Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Type: Vector-based software, unlike raster-based tools like Procreate.
Features: Tools for drawing, object manipulation, text editing, and gradients.
Use Cases: Suitable for creating scalable graphics, logos, and illustrations.
Explore Inkscape

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6. MediBang Paint

Description: MediBang Paint is a free digital painting and comic creation software that is lightweight and easy to install.
Cost: Free.
Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android.
Features: Includes comic panel templates and a variety of brushes and tones.
Use Cases: Created specifically for comics and manga creation.
Accessibility: Easy to install and use.
Learn more about MediBang Paint

7. Sketchbook

Description: Autodesk Sketchbook is a drawing software that is ideal for artists and designers, offering customizable brushes, precision tools, and blendable layers.
Cost: Freemium pricing (some free options with paid upgrades).
Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android.
Features: Customizable brushes, precision tools, and blendable layers.
Target user: Suitable for both artists and designers.
Interface: Intuitive and user-friendly interface.
Discover Autodesk Sketchbook

8. Artflow

Description: ArtFlow is an Android drawing app that has a clean user interface and numerous pro features, such as layers and custom brushes.
Cost: Free version with paid options.
Platforms: Android.
Features: Includes customizable brushes and layers.
User Interface: Clean and easy to navigate.
Functionality: Designed for creating digital art on Android devices.
Explore Artflow

9. Infinite Painter

Description: Infinite Painter is a digital painting app for Android that provides a wide range of tools for digital art creation.
Cost: Free with in-app purchases for additional features.
Platforms: Android.
Features: Offers a robust layer system, diverse brush collections, and customization.
Target User: Suitable for both beginners and experienced digital artists.
Functionality: Intended to enhance the creative workflow for Android users.
Learn more about Infinite Painter

10. FireAlpaca

Description: FireAlpaca is a free drawing tool ideal for comics and manga.
Cost: Free.
Platforms: Windows, macOS.
Features: A lightweight application that also works smoothly on older computers.
Use Case: Intended for creating comics and manga.
Ease of Use: Beginner friendly.
Discover FireAlpaca

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FAQ

1. What is Krita and what are its main features?

Krita is a free and open-source painting program designed for concept artists, illustrators, and texture artists. It offers over 100 customizable brushes, supports layer management, masks, blending modes, and animations. It is available on Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android tablets. Learn more about Krita

2. What is MyPaint and who is it ideal for?

MyPaint is a free, open-source graphics program designed specifically for digital painters, offering an unlimited canvas and a variety of brushes. It supports Windows, macOS, and Linux, and is particularly designed for artists. Explore MyPaint

3. What functionalities does GIMP offer?

GIMP is a free and open-source image editor that includes tools for photo retouching, image composition, and image authoring. It is suitable for painting, transformation, masking, text layers, animation, and scripting. GIMP is available on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Discover GIMP

4. How does Blender serve digital artists?

Blender is a free and open-source 3D creation suite that handles modeling, sculpting, rigging, animation, and VFX. It offers highly customizable and flexible interface options with plugins and has an active user community. It is available on Windows, macOS, and Linux. More on Blender

5. What is Inkscape and what are its primary uses?

Inkscape is a free and open-source vector graphics editor used for creating logos, illustrations, and other vector artwork. It provides tools for drawing, object manipulation, text editing, and gradients, and is available on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Learn about Inkscape

6. What makes MediBang Paint suitable for comic artists?

MediBang Paint is a free digital painting and comic creation software that includes comic panel templates, a variety of brushes, and tones. It is lightweight and easy to install, available on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. Check out MediBang Paint

7. How does Sketchbook serve artists and designers?

Sketchbook is a drawing software known for its customizable brushes, precision tools, and blendable layers. It is suitable for both artists and designers and offers a user-friendly interface. Sketchbook is available on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. Explore Sketchbook

8. What features does ArtFlow offer for Android users?

ArtFlow is a drawing app for Android with a clean user interface and numerous pro features such as customizable brushes and layers. It offers a free version with optional paid features for enhanced functionality. Learn more about ArtFlow

9. What does Infinite Painter offer to digital artists?

Infinite Painter is a digital painting app for Android that provides a robust layer system, diverse brush collections, and customization options. It is suitable for both beginners and experienced digital artists, with free and in-app purchase options. Discover Infinite Painter

10. Why is FireAlpaca a good choice for comic creators?

FireAlpaca is a free drawing tool ideal for creating comics and manga. It is a lightweight application that works smoothly on older computers and is beginner-friendly. FireAlpaca is available on Windows and macOS. Check out FireAlpaca

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.