Krita
With Krita drawing and painting you digitally with brushes, layers and selections.
Developer KDE
Version 5.3.4 · GPL-3.0-or-later · Windows · macOS · Linux
Looking for an alternative to Krita?Compare PaintTool SAI, GIMP.Compare alternativesWith Krita drawing and painting you digitally with brushes, layers and selections. You can work out sketches, apply colours to separate layers and draw pressure sensitive with a suitable drawing tablet.
It is especially useful for illustrations, comics and digital painting. Brushes can be adapted to your style. A project file saves your layers, so you can continue working later without rebuilding everything.
Download Krita
Downloads are available for Windows, macOS, Linux.
Save layers before sharing your drawing
Use the KRA project file to maintain layers and editing capabilities. An export to PNG or JPEG is suitable for sharing, but does not give you the same freedom to adjust parts later. Choose your canvas size based on the end-use: many large layers require more memory than a small drawing for a website.
Compare Krita with alternatives
For drawing, brush behaviour, tablet and pressure support and the way you work with layers are decisive. Try settings with your own tablet before transferring a large set of brushes. A photo editor can also draw, but is not always set up on the same drawing workflow.
| Software | What can it do? | Platform and licence |
|---|---|---|
| KritaYou are viewing this app | You draw and paint with extensive brush settings, layers and animation functions. The app specifically focuses on illustration and digital painting. | Windows, macOS, LinuxGPL-3.0-or-later |
| PaintTool SAIView this alternative | You draw on Windows with brushes, pen stabilization and an illustration-oriented interface. Check the version and support of your drawing tablet. | WindowsPaid |
| GIMPView this alternative | You edit photos and compositions with layers, masks and expandable tools in an open source editor. The interface and file exchange differ from Photoshop. | Windows, macOS, LinuxGPL-3.0-only |
Choose an alternative to explore its features, system requirements and download options.
Who is it for?
You can use Krita for illustrations, concept drawings, comics and image-by-image animation. It suits you when you work a lot with a pen or brush. A vector program is more suitable for mainly scalable logos. For photo management and large RAW-series, you also need a different main mode of operation.
Getting started
First test the pressure sensitivity of your pen and choose a not too large canvas. Save your project in between and export separately for sharing.
Privacy
You can draw locally with your own files. Check when sharing a project whether unused layers, reference images or personal notes go along. Additional brushes and scripts come from individual creators; choose reliable sources and check the conditions when you want to use material in commercial work.
Good to know
Large canvases with many layers require memory. Another app is more suitable for extensive photo catalogues or RAW development.
Please note
A large canvas with many layers or animation images can use a lot of memory. Do not automatically start at the highest resolution. Check colors and transparency in your exports. Save the editable file, because a flat PNG or JPEG does not contain the complete layer buildup that allows you to draw further.
Advantages
- You get extensive brush and layer possibilities.
- Linelining tools support drawing work with a pen.
- You can build illustration and simple image-by-image animation within the same environment.
Things to consider
- A tablet and appropriate settings determine how pleasant you work.
- Large projects require storage and memory.
- For vector design, photo cataloguing or printing preparation additional software may be required.
Download Krita
The download page opens in a new tab.
Provider’s website · krita.org
Version history
5.3.4 Security
You get recovery for large EXR files, animation export and various crashes. Note: XCF import has been deleted and on Mac you now need macOS 10.15 or newer.
- You can no longer import GIMP XCF files directly. The external library used was no longer maintained and included security issues.
- Opening large EXR images and the scale of low thumbnails on screens with custom scale settings have been restored.
- The recorder can export again if some frames are missing. Crashes in certain fonts and creating a new file on Windows have been fixed.
- For daily work, 5.3.4 remains the recommended series; the simultaneously released 6.0.4 is even more experimental due to the switch to Qt 6.
5.3.3
You can work more reliably with layers, text and animations and secure the selection panel next to your canvas.
What’s new?
- Your selected layers remain selected when you start a transformation. It has also been addressed in the context of perspective transformations.
- You have less chance of crashing when deleting text or working with combined forms.
- You can export HDR animations again with FFmpeg 7 or newer. Switching between animation frames and playback methods works more reliably.
- You attach the panel with selection actions to the side of the canvas via the pinaise icon. On a Mac you need for this version at least macOS Catalina 10.15.
Report a new version
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Our verdict
Krita is mainly intended for digital drawing and painting. Brushes, layers and tools for line lining give you space to build an illustration. The program fits better with a drawing process than quickly ordering a photo folder. The first win you get from a well-set canvas and a limited number of brushes that you learn to control.
Let the ultimate goal of your image determine the choice. Brush behavior and layer management are essential for painting and illustration; vector construction is more important for logos of all sizes. Review with your own tablet whether the input responds appropriately and choose a suitable canvas size in advance. Save large projects in their own format keeps editable layers available.
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