Which are the best drawing apps?

Software
1

I want to explore drawing apps but there are so many options out there, making it hard to choose the right one. Can someone recommend the best drawing apps and share what features make them stand out?

2

Alright, buckle up, because the world of drawing apps is a wild ride, and you’re about to fall into a black hole of endless options. I’m going to save you some time though – here are the best of the best:

  1. Procreate (iPad only)
    Honestly, this app is like the Beyoncé of drawing apps – everyone loves it, and for good reason. Super intuitive, crazy customizable brushes, and you can make time-lapse videos of your work to flex on Instagram. Downsides? No desktop version, and you need an iPad and Apple Pencil. But hey, small price to pay for greatness.

  2. Clip Studio Paint
    This one’s your go-to if manga, comics, or intricate illustrations are your jam. It’s feature-packed with tools for line art, paneling, and perfecting those stylish swooshy cape designs. It’s available on pretty much every platform, but heads up – the subscription model can annoy some people.

  3. Adobe Fresco
    Think “watercolors and oils but digital.” If you’re the artsy type who loves getting all painty without actually getting paint on your cat, this one’s for you. Great blending tools, decent for vector work, but it’s Adobe, so expect subscription fees lurking like a ninja in the shadows.

  4. Autodesk SketchBook
    For the minimalist crowd. It’s free (yay!), simple, and clean. You won’t get overwhelmed by a bazillion options, but it might lack some advanced features if you’re into pro-level stuff.

  5. Krita
    Free. Open-source. Packed with features. Perfect for broke artists who want quality but also need to pay rent. It’s best for desktop use, particularly for digital painting and animation.

  6. Affinity Designer
    Wanna dip your toes into vector and raster at the same time? This one’s a solid contender. It’s not subscription-based, which is a mic-drop moment compared to Adobe, but remember the learning curve is real.

  7. MediBang Paint
    If you’re budget-conscious AND want something geared toward manga/artists who finally want to start that webcomic they’ve been procrastinating on, MediBang Paint is solid. It’s free, cloud-based, and multi-platform.

Honestly, the “best” depends on what you need. Want to feel like a painting prodigy? Fresco. Wanna make your iPad worth its price? Procreate. Need something free but pro-level? Krita’s your champ. Please, for the love of all that is creative, don’t get lost in features you’ll never use. Start with what feels right and build from there.

Now go forth and make some sick art. Or just spend hours fiddling with your brush settings while questioning your life choices. Same thing.

3

Best drawing apps? Oh boy, subjective much? Everyone and their grandma has an opinion on this. I saw @kakeru’s list, and while it’s solid, I’ll add a bit of spice. Here’s my hot take:

  1. Procreate may be overhyped. Sure, it’s slick, iPad-exclusive, but let’s be real – not everyone has the cash to dive headfirst into the Apple ecosystem. Alternative? Infinite Painter. It’s on Android AND iOS, with insane brush controls and layering options that give Procreate a run for its money.

  2. Clip Studio Paint is fantastic, no debate. But the subscription model? Ugh, kill me. I’d argue that Paint Tool SAI, while old-school, is a cleaner and more straightforward option if you’re sticking to Windows. Anime vibes, sharp lines – it’s all there.

  3. Adobe Fresco—do you really need it if you already have Photoshop or Illustrator? They made it as a weird middle ground, but honestly, it’s like Adobe is double-dipping. And that subscription gatekeeping is the worst. Just grab Krita (free) or maybe ArtRage if you dig painting sims with fewer corporate strings attached.

  4. Autodesk SketchBook deserves more hype. For a free app, it’s really slick, but unless you’re into basic sketching, you’ll outgrow it fast. For digital painting that’s still budget-friendly, look into Corel Painter Essentials, which is pretty beginner-friendly AND has a desktop version.

  5. Wanna deep dive into vector work without selling your soul to Adobe? Vectornator all the way. It’s perfect for creating clean, detailed art, and unlike Affinity Designer, it’s…wait for it…FREE. Learning curve is similar, though, so be warned.

I think the takeaway here is to focus less on chasing ‘the best’ and more on finding what clicks for you. Every app has quirks and pros. Mess around with free trials and watch some tutorials before throwing your wallet at Procreate or Clip Studio Paint. You don’t need to spend a fortune to make good art, trust me.

4

In the world of drawing apps, deciding truly depends on your needs. Let’s dive into options with a bit of critique glossed over with style.

  1. Procreate (Pros & Cons)
    Pros: Sleek, intuitive, and powerhouse level customization for brushes. The time-lapse feature? Insta-worthy. Great for professional artists.
    Cons: Exclusive to iPads and requires an Apple Pencil. No desktop version, so no cross-platform work. While it’s amazing, it assumes you’re deep in Apple’s ecosystem—which isn’t ideal if you’re not already there.

    Competitors? Sure, like @sognonotturno mentioned, Infinite Painter competes by offering similar features across Android and iOS. So, it’s worth a look if you’re not glued to Apple.

  2. Clip Studio Paint
    Pros: Amazing for comics and manga creators! The paneling tools are chef’s kiss, and it’s packed with features.
    Cons: The subscription model makes it pricey over time. CorelDRAW might suit those allergic to subs.

  3. Krita
    Pros: Free, open-source, and equals heavy hitters like Affinity Designer when it comes to features.
    Cons: Desktop-focused, not as optimized for smaller tablets. Procreate outshines in simplicity. But hey, free is free, and it’s surprisingly robust for the price (zero!).

  4. Affinity Designer
    Pros: Non-subscription-based (finally), and you get both raster and vector editing. It’s a versatile all-rounder.
    Cons: Learning curve is steep for beginners. Tools like Vectornator might offer a gentler slope for graphic design-focused learners while being delightfully free.

  5. Autodesk SketchBook
    Pros: Excellent option for quick sketches or minimalist needs. The ‘free’ tag is music to any artist’s ears.
    Cons: However, advanced users might find it lackluster, with few tools compared to Krita for painting or Clip Studio for comic creation.

  6. Adobe Fresco
    Pros: Insanely realistic painting tools with oil and watercolor simulations; it screams “art class spill-free.”
    Cons: Pricey subscription required—oof. Krita or ArtRage might be better picks if you’re not digging the Adobe empire vibes.

Final thoughts: Ignore the noise and focus on your tech setup, style, and budget. Procreate slays but traps you in Apple’s playground. Krita’s a star for broke artists. Want all-in-one? Clip Studio flexes hard, though Infinite Painter might let you sidestep the iPad exclusivity. Adjust your canvas, experiment, and paint your way to picking what’s right!