The Best Clip Studio Paint AlternativesTop Digital Painting Tools & Image Editors like Clip Studio Paint

Clip Studio Paint is described as 'Essential digital tool for comic and manga artists, offering specialized tools for shortcuts like panel layouts, inking, vector support, and 3D model import' and is a very popular digital painting tool in the photos & graphics category. There are more than 100 alternatives to Clip Studio Paint for a variety of platforms, including Windows, Mac, iPad, iPhone and Web-based apps. The best Clip Studio Paint alternative is Krita, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Clip Studio Paint are MediBang Paint, Adobe Photoshop, Affinity and Photopea.

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Clip Studio Paint alternatives are mainly Digital Painting Tools, but if you're looking for Image Editors or Photo Editors you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Linux, Free, Android Tablet, iPad, Open Source and Android. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to Clip Studio Paint.
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Alternatives list

  1. Krita icon

    Krita

     1413 likes

    Free, open-source painting software designed by artists for artists. Offers customizable UI, 9 brush engines, color management, tablet support, non-destructive editing, and privacy features. Portable and available on major platforms, supporting seamless texture creation.

    143 Krita alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android Tablet
    • KDE Plasma
    • Epic Games Store
    • PortableApps.com
    • Steam
    • F-Droid
    Main Window
     
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    6
    69
    Comments about Krita as an Alternative to Clip Studio Paint
    Top Positive Comment
    Guest
    6

    a great software for poor artist but very powerfull to drew . i'm like it

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    I have been using Krita for 4 years and just jumped to Photoshop . The features are very similar to Photoshop so It really made me feel right at home after I jumped from it. Best alternative to Photoshop.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    Completely free and very powerful

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    3 of 6 comments
    Krita icon
    Krita icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Krita is a great Clip Studio Paint alternative.

    • Krita is Free and Open SourceClip Studio Paint is Paid and Proprietary
    • Krita is Privacy focusedClip Studio Paint is not according to our users
  2. MediBang Paint icon

    MediBang Paint

     117 likes

    MediBang Paint is a lightweight software for illustration and making comic books on Windows and Mac OS.

    77 MediBang Paint alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Steam
    Great for anime or comics
     
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    4
    73
    Comments about MediBang Paint as an Alternative to Clip Studio Paint
    Milla Palacio
    Positive
    2

    Not only is it free, they do share a lot of common functionality. Of course, MediBang Paint isn't as feature-rich, but it's still good for anime- and manga-style art.

    SoftOlive
    Positive
    0

    It's an amazing tool for art, just like Clip Studio Paint. VERY good for not just manga, anime, etc art styles, but other art styles.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    4

    It has all the things that I needed that Clip Studio Paint also had! LOVE IT!??

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    3 of 4 comments
    MediBang Paint icon
    MediBang Paint icon

    • Almost everyone thinks MediBang Paint is a great Clip Studio Paint alternative.

    • MediBang Paint is Freemium and ProprietaryClip Studio Paint is Paid and Proprietary
  4. Adobe Photoshop icon

    Adobe Photoshop

     2420 likes

    Comprehensive raster graphics editor offering advanced photo and image editing features. Supports multiple layers, masks, alpha compositing, various color models, and has limited vector graphics, 3D, and video capabilities. Extensible via plug-ins.

    225 Adobe Photoshop alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Wine
    • ReactOS
    • Google Chrome
    Adobe Photoshop screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Comments about Adobe Photoshop as an Alternative to Clip Studio Paint
    Guest
    Negative
    2

    Photoshop is a photo retouch application rather than a paint or sketch app.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Adobe Photoshop icon
    Adobe Photoshop icon

    • This alternative is disputed. Adobe Photoshop is a legitimate Clip Studio Paint alternative, but it might have issues that some users think are important.

    • Adobe Photoshop is Paid and ProprietaryClip Studio Paint is also Paid and Proprietary
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  6. Affinity icon

    Affinity

     55 likes

    Unified design solution merging advanced photo, vector, and layout tools for seamless workflow, non-destructive editing, RAW support, batch processing, AI enhancements, GPU acceleration, file compatibility, cloud asset integration, and tailored workspace options.

    68 Affinity alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    Affinity screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Comments about Affinity as an Alternative to Clip Studio Paint
    cel
    Negative
    0

    Different intended audience, difference tools pack.

    Affinity icon
    Affinity icon
    • Affinity is Freemium and ProprietaryClip Studio Paint is Paid and Proprietary
  7. Photopea icon

    Photopea

     336 likes

    Browser-based image editing supports PSD, XCF, Sketch formats, advanced layers, vector tools, RAW photo support, and exports in 40+ formats. Fully client-side with AI background removal, content-aware tools, and privacy as files never leave your device.

    112 Photopea alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    Photopea screenshot 1
     
  8. MyPaint icon

    MyPaint

     387 likes

    MyPaint is a fast, distraction-free, and easy painting tool for digital artists. It supports graphics tablets made by Wacom, and many similar devices.

    128 MyPaint alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • PortableApps.com
    MyPaint screenshot 1
     
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    1
    12
    Comments about MyPaint as an Alternative to Clip Studio Paint
    Guest
    Negative
    -1

    not made for drawing manga

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    MyPaint icon
    MyPaint icon

    • Most users think MyPaint is a great Clip Studio Paint alternative.

    • MyPaint is Free and Open SourceClip Studio Paint is Paid and Proprietary
  10. OpenToonz icon

    OpenToonz

     126 likes

    OpenToonz is an animation program that is a free software version of Toonz, the animation software used by Studio Ghibli, amongst others.

    43 OpenToonz alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    GTS
     
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    1
    Comments about OpenToonz as an Alternative to Clip Studio Paint
    SoftOlive
    Negative
    0

    Opentoonz is very confusing for use, and primarily focuses on animation rather than art. Clip Studio Paint and Opentoonz is almost completely incomparable to Clip Studio, aside from the fact that they both can make art.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    OpenToonz icon
    OpenToonz icon
    • OpenToonz is Free and Open SourceClip Studio Paint is Paid and Proprietary
    • OpenToonz is Privacy focusedClip Studio Paint is not according to our users
  11. Procreate icon

    Procreate

     165 likes

    Procreate is a versatile, award-winning app for creative digital drawing and painting on iOS. It delivers a robust, professional toolset with hundreds of configurable brushes, a powerful layering system, vector graphic tools, and comprehensive design capabilities, ensuring desktop-level flexibility and power.

    63 Procreate alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • iPhone
    • iPad
    Procreate screenshot 1
     
  12. PaintTool SAI icon

    PaintTool SAI

     140 likes

    PaintTool SAI is high quality and lightweight painting software, fully digitizer support, amazing anti-aliased paintings, provide easy and stable operation, this software make digital art more enjoyable and comfortable.

    92 PaintTool SAI alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    PaintTool SAI screenshot 1
     
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    1
    23
    Comments about PaintTool SAI as an Alternative to Clip Studio Paint
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    It has basically the same features (plus some features, minus some features) and is used by the same category of professionals. On the downside, it is also paid. Not overly expensive, but not cheap either. It is worth the price though (the same goes for Clip Studio Paint).

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    PaintTool SAI icon
    PaintTool SAI icon

    • Almost everyone thinks PaintTool SAI is a great Clip Studio Paint alternative.

    • PaintTool SAI is Paid and ProprietaryClip Studio Paint is also Paid and Proprietary
  13. CorelDRAW Graphics Suite icon

    CorelDRAW Graphics Suite

     216 likes

    A full suite of graphic design software that provides vector illustration, page layout, image editing, and tracing software. Designed for professional designers, it delivers precision tools, excellent file compatibility, and quality content for crafting professional results from creative ideas.

    89 CorelDRAW Graphics Suite alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    CorelDRAW Graphics Suite screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Comments about CorelDRAW Graphics Suite as an Alternative to Clip Studio Paint
    lauraess1
    Negative
    0

    CorelDRAW is primarily a vector drawing and design package, rather than primarily a bitmap editor.

    CorelDRAW Graphics Suite icon
    CorelDRAW Graphics Suite icon
    • CorelDRAW Graphics Suite is Paid and ProprietaryClip Studio Paint is also Paid and Proprietary
  14. FireAlpaca icon

    FireAlpaca

     89 likes

    FireAlpaca is the image editor that can be used readily and easily. We made it possible to provide the completely free download, in order for our products to be experienced by more users from all over the world. It is available for both Mac and Windows users!

    124 FireAlpaca alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    FireAlpaca screenshot 1
     
  15. Corel Painter icon

    Corel Painter

     70 likes

    Corel Painter offers realistic traditional media simulation with features like customizable brushes, extensive format support, layering, blending tools, and more, tailored for professional artists working in drawing, painting, and printmaking.

    81 Corel Painter alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    Painter on Mac OS X
     
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    6
12 of 102 Clip Studio Paint alternatives