Adobe is widely considered an industry powerhouse and a leader in the field of digital creative software. But in recent years, creators who once relied heavily on Adobe’s suite of tools are now exploring alternative software, seeking out companies that prioritize user experience and affordability.
As an artist myself, I know it’s important to have options that not only deliver high-quality tools, but also respect the values and needs of their users. My goal is to provide you with some ethical and powerful art programs that cater to every type of artist.
Why artists are looking for alternatives to Adobe
Before we dive in, Adobe is facing significant criticism from independent artists. Why is that?
Subscription price increases
Subscription software is common these days, but many artists have criticized Adobe for not offering a one-time purchase or lifetime license. Adobe has also raised subscription prices — it now is $60 monthly for Adobe services.
The use of AI images to train Adobe Firefly
Adobe has stated that its generative AI tool Firefly is trained on licensed photos and art from the Adobe Stock catalog. However, there is internal speculation that Firefly has also been trained using images from competitor AI tools with less ethical practices, such ad Midjourney. It has been widely alleged that Midjourney was trained from art and images scraped from the web without the creators’ consent, which does not bode well for a platform built upon artists.
Vague privacy policies
Some artists have criticized Adobe’s policies for lacking transparency. A recent updated Terms of Use popup in Adobe has created concern for potential privacy breaches and the status of projects under NDA.
These factors combined have led to a growing sense of dissatisfaction among Adobe’s user community, prompting many to search for an Adobe alternative.
Best Adobe alternatives for digital painting
The needs for every artist’s workflow are unique. I think Clip Studio Paint, Procreate, and Krita each do a great job offering robust features for most types of users. Let’s take a closer look at each option.
#1: Clip Studio Paint
Clip Studio Paint was developed by the Japanese graphics software company Celsys with the aim of creating a premier paint tool that could span multiple genres. It first gained popularity for anime/ manga comics and character drawings, thanks to its origins in Japan during the peak of manga’s popularity.
Over the years, Clip Studio has evolved into a powerful and versatile program. It now offers extensive support and tools not just for comic creation and illustration, but also for realistic painting techniques and even animation. The software includes advanced brush engines, customizable tools, and vector capabilities, making it suitable for a wide range of artistic styles and preferences.
Clip Studio Paint is also known for its user-friendly interface and robust community support. Artists can access a wealth of tutorials, forums, and resources to help them make the most of the software. The program also supports multiple file formats and is compatible with various devices, including tablets and touchscreen laptops, making it accessible for artists on the go.
👍 Pros of Clip Studio Paint
Clip Studio Paint has grown from a niche manga tool to a comprehensive, all-in-one solution for digital artists of all types, maintaining its reputation for innovation and artist-focused features. This makes it my top choice as an Adobe alternative for 2024!
- Directly import pose-able 3D models from their asset database for easy pose references.
- Speaking of their asset database, it’s huge — with tons of options for realistic brushes, textures, models, etc., both user-submitted and CSP-provided, to elevate your workflow.
- Healthy stance on AI in 2024, as they seem to be taking heavy precautions to ensure any AI-related tools they create are ethical and support artists.
- Familiar UI for Photoshop users.
- Built for comic creators with page layout templates and common backgrounds.
- Fully compatible with .abr brushes, making it easy to move your tools from Photoshop to CSP.
- Affordable perpetual license for the PRO version.
👎 Cons of Clip Studio Paint
- Pay extra for an “Update Pass” to access updates beyond one year. A perpetual license does not mean perpetual update support.
- Text layers may not be compatible with other editing tools, making it difficult to change font size and style without recreating the layer.
- The 3D models can really slow down the program, affecting your workflow and efficiency.
- Using Clip Studio on mobile or iPad requires a separate subscription.
🏅 Clip Studio Paint is the best paid option for desktop painting
Overall, Clip Studio Paint’s robust features and versatile toolset cater to a wide range of artistic needs. The program’s user-friendly interface and support resources are some of the best out there, ensuring that artists can fully leverage its capabilities to create stunning digital artwork of all types.
Additionally, it provides an affordable perpetual license for the PRO version, so it’s a cost-effective choice for professional artists. Get Clip Studio Paint [$54] →
#2: Procreate
Procreate was released in 2011 as one of the first true drawing programs for the iPad. It quickly gained popularity due to the convenience of having a powerful painting app on the go. With a simple yet intuitive interface, Procreate allows artists to create professional-quality artwork directly on their iPads.
Its affordability, combined with its robust set of features such as .abr brush compatibility, Apple Pencil support, and automatic Timelapse recording, has solidified Procreate’s position as a favorite among digital artists. Its popularity continues to grow among professionals and hobbyists alike, who appreciate its portability and ease of use.
👍 Pros of Procreate
- Procreate is an iPad app, so no need to buy an additional tablet if you already have an iPad
- One of the most affordable paid options for painting
- Fully compatible with .abr brushes and other Photoshop-based assets
- Supports Apple Pencil gestures for added convenience
- Simple and easy-to-learn UI
- Automatically records time-lapses, making content creation a breeze (if that’s your thing)
- Pair Procreate with Rock Paper Pencil for an ultra-realistic pen-on-paper experience for iPad
👎 Cons of Procreate
- Only available on iPad
- The number of layers is limited by the size of your canvas and the capability of the iPad. Older iPads can really struggle with this.
- Automatic Timelapse recording can quickly fill up a device’s memory if you are not aware that it is enabled. This setting is turned on by default.
- iPad screens can be small, leading to a less efficient workflow compared to large tablet displays.
🏅 Procreate is the best option for iPad users
Procreate is great for on-the-go artists who need powerful tools for their digital painting projects. Its portability and ease of use keep digital art creation accessible for kids, hobbyists, and professionals alike. Get Procreate [$12.99] →
#3: Krita
Krita is an open-source painting program that was released in 2004. Initially, it didn’t garner much attention, but over the years, it’s gained popularity as a robust alternative to paid art programs.
Its open-source nature allows for extensive customization, provided you have the technical know-how. Despite its relatively lightweight UI, Krita is packed with brushes and tools, and it supports the import of additional resources. The program has taken a responsible stance on AI, prioritizing ethics and the use of donated art for AI tool development. This makes Krita an excellent choice for an Adobe alternative for artists who value both functionality and ethical practices.
“We won’t be implementing anything that uses models trained on scraped images and we will make sure that the carbon footprint of the feature doesn’t exceed its usefulness.” – Krita Team in their 2024 roadmap
👍 Pros of Krita
- Completely free!
- Open-source, allowing endless customization if you have the know-how
- Lightweight UI, reducing lag when working on large projects
- A broad range of brushes and tools, with support for importing more
- Responsible stance on AI, prioritizing ethics in testing and creating AI-based tools
- Supports animation as well as painting
- You can use the full desktop version of Krita on your iPad with Astropad Studio
👎 Cons of Krita
- Lack of clear documentation
- Known to crash on certain operating systems
- Being open-source, updates can frequently cause features to break
- Some experience frequent lagging without a clear cause
🏅 Krita is the best program for students or hobbyists
Since it’s completely free, Krita provides an excellent opportunity for budding artists to experiment and develop their skills without any financial burden.
And because it’s open-source nature allows for extensive customization, which can be particularly appealing for those who enjoy tweaking their tools to fit their unique artistic processes. With a responsible stance on AI and a commitment to ethical practices, Krita is an ideal choice for those who want to create stunning digital artwork on a budget. Get Krita [Free] →
Which adobe alternative will you try?
While there are numerous options available as alternatives to Adobe programs, these three programs stood out because of their versatility and ease of use. So which is the best Adobe alternative for you?
- Best for professionals→ Clip Studio Paint
- Best for iPad enthusiasts → Procreate
- Best for students or hobbyists → Krita
With so many artists making the switch to these programs, they are only going to get better, and I cannot wait to see what these companies have in store!
