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Creative & Media

Graphics & Illustration

Tools for making graphics by hand: illustration, photo retouching, layout and print-ready artwork. Every tool below is measured against the same criteria, in the same order. The AI row says what each one adds on top, and for several of them the honest answer is nothing.

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25tools

  • MediBang Paint

    Price Free; MediBang Premium from ¥2,480 / year

    Not rated yet

    Free drawing and manga app with cloud saving and team projects, on desktop, tablet and phone.

    Strengths

    • Free on desktop, tablet and phone
    • 3 GB of cloud storage with a free account
    • Group projects split a manga between several artists
    • Exports PSD as well as PNG and JPEG

    Limitations

    • Cloud saving and the create manga function need a MediBang account
    • New cloud saves stop once the storage quota is full
    • Onion skin and gradient maps are only in the Steam version
    Visit site

  • PaintTool SAI

    Price ¥5,500 one-time

    Not rated yet

    SYSTEMAX's lightweight Windows painting program for pen-tablet illustration, sold as a one-time licence.

    Strengths

    • Pay once and every Ver.1 update is included
    • Runs on modest hardware, from 256 MB of RAM on Windows XP
    • The licence moves to a new PC with the same licence number
    • A full-featured 31-day trial before buying

    Limitations

    • Runs on Windows only
    • Ver.1 does not support high-DPI monitors
    • Open and save stop the moment the trial ends, so unsaved work is lost
    • Ver.2 is still a technical preview
    Visit site

  • ibisPaint

    AI features

    Price Free; Premium Membership from $4.49 / month

    Not rated yet

    ibis inc.'s drawing app for illustration, manga and animation, on phones, tablets, Windows and Mac.

    Strengths

    • Runs on Windows, Mac, iPhone, iPad and Android, synced through Cloud Storage
    • Records the drawing process as a shareable video
    • Screen tones, a frame divider and speech bubbles for manga

    Limitations

    • Demo Mode on Windows is limited to one hour a day
    • Free Cloud Storage is 64 MB; 20 GB needs Premium Membership
    • Smart Features need separately purchased Smart Credits without Premium Membership
    Visit site

  • GIMP

    Price Free

    Not rated yet

    The free, open-source image editor for retouching, composites and original artwork on Linux, macOS and Windows.

    Strengths

    • Free and open source under GPLv3, with no account and no subscription
    • Builds for GNU/Linux, macOS and Windows, including ARM64
    • Reads and writes layered PSD files, including clipping paths and CMYK profiles
    • Scriptable in Python, Scheme, C and C++
    • Interface available in more than 80 languages

    Limitations

    • CMYK is not a core image mode; print work relies on conversion at import and export and on soft-proofing
    • No official iPad or Android version, and no package in Apple's App Store
    • Help comes from community forums and chat rather than a vendor helpdesk
    • Run by volunteers, so the project announces no release dates
    Visit site

  • Adobe Photoshop

    AI features

    Price From $19.99 / month

    Not rated yet

    Adobe's image editor, with Firefly-powered Generative Fill, Expand and Remove built into the desktop app.

    Strengths

    • Generative Fill, Expand and Remove work inside the full editor, on layers
    • Partner models (Gemini 3, FLUX.2 pro) selectable in Generative Fill on desktop
    • Runs on desktop and the web, plus a free mobile app
    • REST API for automating edits through Firefly Services

    Limitations

    • The standalone plan includes only 25 generative credits a month
    • No free version on the web
    Visit site

  • Adobe InDesign

    AI features

    Price From $22.99 / month

    Not rated yet

    Adobe's page layout app for print and digital publishing, with Text to Image, Generative Expand, Auto Style and Rewrite.

    Strengths

    • Generative image tools work inside the page layout
    • Auto Style and Rewrite speed up formatting and copy fitting
    • Export to PDF, EPUB, HTML and IDML, with Preflight for print
    • REST API for data merge and renditions at scale

    Limitations

    • The single-app plan includes only 25 generative credits a month
    • The AI Assistant is still in beta
    • Subscription only, with the listed prices on annual plans
    Visit site

  • Canva

    AI featuresMCP-ready

    Price Free tier; Pro $18 / month

    Not rated yet

    All-in-one AI design platform for social posts, decks and brand assets, built for non-designers.

    Strengths

    • Easiest entry, no design training needed
    • Covers social, decks, documents, video and brand in one tool
    • Strong free tier with 1.6 million templates
    • Official AI Connector lets ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini and Microsoft Copilot work in Canva

    Limitations

    • AI depth trails specialist image and video tools
    • Output can look templated
    • AI use is capped by a monthly allowance on every plan
    • Support tickets and live chat cover only select issues on the free plan
    Visit site

  • Adobe Illustrator

    AI features

    Price From $22.99 / month

    Not rated yet

    Adobe's vector design app, with Text to Vector Graphic, Generative Shape Fill and Turntable.

    Strengths

    • Generative output is editable vector artwork
    • Turntable redraws a vector from new angles
    • iPad app included in the subscription
    • REST API for data merge, image trace and recolouring at scale

    Limitations

    • The standalone plan includes only 25 generative credits a month
    • The web version is still in beta
    Visit site

  • Procreate

    Price $12.99, one-time

    Not rated yet

    The drawing and painting app built for iPad and Apple Pencil, bought once and free of generative AI.

    Strengths

    • Bought once, with no subscription
    • Large brush library that also takes Photoshop brushes
    • Layered PSD import and export for moving work to a desktop editor
    • Paints directly onto 3D models in OBJ and USDZ
    • Records every artwork as a replayable time-lapse

    Limitations

    • Runs only on iPad; the iPhone version, Procreate Pocket, is a separate app
    • Sold only through Apple's App Store
    • No account system, so backups depend on iCloud or manual export
    Visit site

  • Pixelmator Pro

    AI features

    Price $49.99, one-time

    Not rated yet

    Apple's image editor and graphic design app for Mac and iPad, sold once or inside Apple Creator Studio.

    Strengths

    • Photo editing, painting and vector design in one layered document
    • One-time purchase available for the Mac version
    • Edits vectors from Illustrator, EPS, SVG and PDF files and writes layered PSD
    • Edits sync between Mac and iPad
    • Supports over 750 RAW camera formats

    Limitations

    • Runs only on Apple devices, with no Windows or web version
    • Text-to-image generation and the Warp tool need the Apple Creator Studio subscription
    • The iPad version is only available through the subscription
    • Image generation is subject to usage limits
    Visit site

  • CorelDRAW Graphics Suite

    AI features

    Price From $269 / year

    Not rated yet

    Vector illustration, page layout and photo editing for Windows, Mac and the browser, by subscription or one-time purchase.

    Strengths

    • Available as a one-time purchase as well as a subscription
    • Vector drawing, page layout and photo editing in one suite
    • Pantone colour libraries included at no extra cost
    • Runs on Windows and macOS, with a browser version for subscribers

    Limitations

    • The one-time purchase excludes many features, apps and future operating system support that subscribers get
    • Its AI credits do not renew for one-time buyers
    • Firefox support in CorelDRAW Web is limited
    Visit site

  • Kittl

    AI featuresMCP-ready

    Price Free tier; paid plans above

    Not rated yet

    AI-first design platform for branding, merchandise, print and social graphics.

    Strengths

    • AI image, vector and video generation inside one design tool
    • Over 10,000 templates and mockups for print and merchandise
    • Commercial license on paid plans

    Limitations

    • The free plan is personal use only
    • High-resolution and vector export require a paid plan
    Visit site

  • Inkscape

    Price Free

    Not rated yet

    The free, open-source vector graphics editor for logos, illustrations, diagrams and anything else that has to stay sharp at any size.

    Strengths

    • Free and open source, with no licence fee
    • Uses standard SVG as its native format
    • Imports Affinity Designer files and the ISO-standard CGM format
    • Command-line actions to strip editor-specific data and convert SVG for the web

    Limitations

    • No generative AI features
    • Affinity Designer import is best-effort, since the format has no official documentation
    • The project notes that background work for GTK4 can slow Inkscape down, most notably on Windows
    Visit site

  • Clip Studio Paint

    AI features

    Price From $26.99 / year

    Not rated yet

    CELSYS's drawing and painting app for illustration, comics, webtoons and animation, on desktop, tablet and phone.

    Strengths

    • Vector layers keep line art editable and scalable
    • 3D reference models for figures, heads and hands, with a Hand Scanner for poses
    • Runs on desktop, tablet and phone
    • A perpetual licence is available on Windows and macOS

    Limitations

    • Multi-page comics, webtoon tools and full-length animation need EX
    • A perpetual licence gets later feature updates only with the paid Update Pass
    • Tablets and phones are covered by yearly plans only
    • Colorize needs an internet connection and is still a technology preview
    Visit site

  • QuarkXPress

    AI features

    Not rated yet

    Desktop publishing and page layout for print and digital, sold by subscription or as a perpetual licence.

    Strengths

    • Sold as a perpetual licence as well as a subscription
    • Full Pantone colour libraries included
    • IDML import and export for files coming from or going to InDesign
    • Built-in LaTeX and MathML for equations
    • Separate pricing for education, nonprofits and government

    Limitations

    • The AI features require a subscription or an active maintenance contract on a perpetual licence
    • Editorial collaboration through CopyDesk is a separate add-on
    • Desktop only, with no browser or tablet version
    Visit site

  • Paint.NET

    Price Free

    Not rated yet

    A fast, free image and photo editor for Windows with layers, effects and a large plugin community.

    Strengths

    • Free for commercial use, with no account and no subscription
    • Layers, unlimited undo history and a wide set of effects and adjustments
    • Reads modern formats including JPEG XL, AVIF, HEIC and WebP
    • Large community forum with plugins and tutorials
    • Interface available in 38 languages

    Limitations

    • Windows only, with no Mac, Linux, tablet or browser version
    • PDN is the only built-in format described as keeping layers
    • No layer groups yet; the vendor plans them for version 6.0 in 2027, with text, mask and adjustment layers in later releases
    • Help comes from the community forum rather than a vendor helpdesk
    Visit site

  • Photopea

    AI features

    Price Free

    Not rated yet

    A raster and vector image editor that runs in the browser, works natively in PSD and keeps files on your device.

    Strengths

    • Nothing to install, and it runs on any device with a modern browser
    • Files stay on your device and are not uploaded
    • PSD is the native document format
    • Can be embedded in other websites through an iframe
    • Keeps working offline once the page has loaded

    Limitations

    • The free account shows advertisements
    • The vendor recommends a large screen, a mouse or stylus and a keyboard, so phones are a compromise
    • Self-hosting costs $500 to $2,000 a month, paid a year ahead
    • Generative replacement and background removal rely on a third-party service
    Visit site

  • Corel Painter

    AI features

    Price From $19.99 / month

    Not rated yet

    Digital painting software that emulates natural media, for illustration, fine art, concept art and photo art.

    Strengths

    • Hundreds of artist-created brushes, including Fluid, Thick Paint, Watercolor and Sargent
    • Runs natively on Windows and on Macs with Apple silicon
    • Reads and writes Photoshop PSD files
    • Pen tablet support for pressure, tilt, bearing and rotation
    • Available as a subscription or as a full version

    Limitations

    • No iPad, Android or browser version
    • Activation requires an internet connection and product registration
    • The current release is Painter 2023
    • Additional brush packs are sold separately
    Visit site

  • Sketchbook

    Price Free

    Not rated yet

    A sketching and drawing app for desktop, tablet and phone, from quick sketches to finished artwork.

    Strengths

    • Free on iOS and Android, with a one-time Premium Bundle rather than a subscription
    • Sketchbook Pro is a one-time purchase in the Mac App Store and Microsoft Store
    • Layered PSD import and export on every platform
    • Predictive Stroke, rulers, ellipse and French curve tools, plus vertical, horizontal and radial symmetry
    • Flipbook animation with onion skinning at up to 4K

    Limitations

    • PSD export flattens text layers and drops Sketchbook-specific blend modes
    • The Android app does not support peripheral drawing tablets
    • Direct licences for organisations are annual only and start at 10 seats
    • No Linux version
    Visit site

  • Adobe Fresco

    Price Free

    Not rated yet

    Adobe's free painting and drawing app for iPad, iPhone and Windows, with live, vector and pixel brushes.

    Strengths

    • Free for everyone, with no subscription
    • Live, vector and pixel brushes in one app
    • No layer limit
    • Hands work over to Photoshop and Illustrator on the desktop
    • Frame-by-frame and motion-path animation built in

    Limitations

    • The iPad and iPhone app requires iPadOS or iOS 18 or later
    • Finishing work in Photoshop or Illustrator needs those apps, which are paid separately
    Visit site

  • Adobe Express

    AI features

    Price Free tier; Premium from $9.99 / month

    Not rated yet

    Adobe's quick design app for social posts, videos and graphics with built-in Firefly AI.

    Strengths

    • Free tier with a limited number of daily Firefly generations
    • Firefly generative AI built into a full design and video editor
    • Large template library and brand kit tools
    • Content scheduler for social media

    Limitations

    • The full model set and higher limits need a paid plan
    • Advanced editing is more limited than the desktop Creative Cloud apps
    Visit site

  • Linearity

    AI features

    Price From $10 / month

    Not rated yet

    AI design generator that turns a prompt into editable, on-brand marketing assets, with the Curve vector app and Move animation app.

    Strengths

    • Generated designs stay layered and editable
    • Brand kits apply logos, colours and fonts to every generation
    • Vector design (Curve) and animation (Move) included in paid plans
    • Free plan with no credit card required
    • Private designs are not used to train its models

    Limitations

    • AI use is metered in credits, and the free plan's welcome credits expire after 7 days
    • The native apps run only on Apple devices
    • Some export formats require a paid plan
    • Enterprise pricing is not published
    Visit site

  • Krita

    Price Free

    Not rated yet

    The free, open-source painting program for illustration, concept art, comics and 2D animation.

    Strengths

    • Free and open source under GPL v3, with no registration
    • Works offline and only goes online for the optional news feed
    • Brush stabilisers and drawing assistants for perspective, ellipses and fisheye
    • Timeline animation with onion skinning, tweening and audio
    • HDR painting with OpenEXR and OpenColorIO

    Limitations

    • No iPad or iPhone version
    • The Android version is still in beta
    • Help comes from the Krita Artists forum rather than a vendor helpdesk
    • Vector tools are aimed at comic panels and text rather than full illustration or layout work
    Visit site

  • Affinity by Canva

    AI features

    Price Free

    Not rated yet

    Free professional design, photo editing and page layout in one app, with Canva AI on premium plans.

    Strengths

    • Vector, photo and layout tools in one app, free for individuals
    • Opens PSD, AI and IDML files from other design suites
    • Direct export to Canva and access to a Canva Brand Kit
    • Runs natively on Apple silicon and Intel Macs and on Windows

    Limitations

    • AI tools require a paid Canva premium plan
    • Requires a Canva account to use
    • No iPad version yet
    Visit site

  • VistaCreate

    AI features

    Price Free; Pro $120 / year

    Not rated yet

    Template-based design tool for social posts, short videos and print pieces, with a direct route to VistaPrint.

    Strengths

    • One Pro subscription covers up to 10 seats
    • Print designs go straight to VistaPrint from the editor
    • The free Starter plan includes 100K templates, 10 GB of storage and a brand kit

    Limitations

    • No desktop app
    • Starter is limited to one seat and one brand kit
    Visit site

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