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.
At the pro level, Adobe was the only show in town for a long time. Now, though, users have plenty of alternative options (and devices) to make art.
So, if you’re considering switching to an Adobe alternative, we’ve got some options you might want to consider.
Why artists are looking for alternatives to Adobe
Over the years, Adobe has faced significant criticism from independent artists. Before we move on to Adobe alternatives, let’s dive into the reasons why you might want to avoid this popular brand.
Prices and subscription increases
Adobe offers subscription-based software, which isn’t anything new. However, plenty of artists have criticized Adobe for not offering one-time purchases or lifetime licenses, something that would make pursuing a career in digital art much more accessible.
Instead, digital artists have to deal with unpredictable subscription price increases. It’s a tough position to be in, especially considering that Adobe doesn’t follow a regular schedule. The best you can hope for is an email notifying you when an increase is about to happen.
Right now, an individual annual plan for Adobe Creative Cloud Pro (formerly known as the All Apps plan) costs $69.99 billed monthly or $779.99 per year. This includes all apps and AI generation features.
The Creative Cloud Standard plan is more affordable, with all the apps but not all the AI generation features. It’s $54.99 per month for a year.
The Student and Teacher plans are even cheaper, with the Pro plan costing $24.99 per month for the first year and $39.99 per month after that.
If you’re not a teacher or student, you’ll struggle to find a discount for the full Adobe Creative Cloud. The only real discount is the Photography bundle, which includes both Lightroom and Photoshop for $22.99 per month. But beware, digital artists might want a more comprehensive plan that includes Illustrator or InDesign.
You’re welcome to buy apps individually, but they’ll set you back $23 each.
All this to say, Adobe is pretty expensive. Especially when compared to one of the most affordable apps on our list, Procreate, which has a one-time cost of just $12.99.
💡 Good to know: Adobe is so keen to lock its customers in for a year that it offers big discounts to customers willing to sign up for that long. A good example is Creative Cloud Pro, which costs $69.99 per month on an annual contract or $104.99 per month on a monthly plan.
The use of AI images to train Adobe Firefly
Firefly is Adobe’s generative AI tool that’s integrated into many Adobe Creative Cloud apps. According to Adobe, it was trained using licensed data from Adobe Stock, making it the first “commercially safe” AI image generator.
Sounds good, right?
Wrong. A report from Bloomberg found that a small percentage of Firefly’s training came from AI-generated images sourced from competitors like Midjourney.
Adobe later confirmed that the report was accurate, but stated that the competitor images accounted for only 5% of Firefly’s training.
All in all, it’s not a great look for a company that bases its ethos on being genuine.
Software made for desktop
Adobe Creative Suite is primarily designed for desktop, but there are many Adobe apps available on mobile and iPad. Unfortunately, these apps are limited compared to their desktop counterparts.
A good example is Adobe Photoshop. It’s one of the most powerful desktop apps for editing photos, but as soon as you open the iPad version, you’ll notice a few key differences. It’s really only optimized for photos, whereas the desktop version can handle almost any type of image.
❓ Did you know? You can use your iPad as a drawing tablet, so you can get all the tools in the desktop version of Adobe Suite, with all the ergonomic and workflow benefits of your iPad.
💡 Good to know: It’s a common misconception that iPads just don’t cut the mustard as digital drawing mediums. To really get the most out of your iPad, you need to check out the best iPad drawing accessories for creatives.
Better painting options out there
Photoshop isn’t made for painting, so it’s no surprise that many artists think it’s clunky. Back in the day, there were no other options. But now, there are loads of high-quality Adobe alternatives to choose from, and apps (like Procreate) that are specifically created for digital painting.
Best Adobe alternatives for digital painting
Every artist has a unique workflow. As far as Adobe alternatives go, Clip Studio Paint, Corel Paint, Procreate, Sketchbook, and Krita offer robust features for most types of users.
#1: Clip Studio Paint
🥇Award: best Adobe alternative for desktop painting
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 its 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 styles.
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!
- Offers a perpetual license for the PRO version.
- Familiar UI for Photoshop users.
- Directly import poseable 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, ensuring that any AI-related tools they create are ethical and support artists.
- 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.
👎 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.
We can’t deny that it offers an affordable perpetual license for the PRO version, making it a cost-effective choice for professional artists.
#2: Procreate
🥈Award: best Adobe alternative for iPad users
When you think of Adobe alternatives for painting, what pops to mind? For us, it’s Procreate.
Procreate was released in 2011 as one of the first professional-grade drawing programs for 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 like .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
- One-off cost of $12.99.
- 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.
- Pair Procreate with Rock Paper Pencil for an ultra-realistic pen-on-paper experience on 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, something that older iPads can really struggle with.
- Automatic Timelapse recording can quickly fill up a device’s memory if you are not aware that it is automatically enabled.
🥈 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.
Rock Paper Pencil: an essential iPad companion
We can’t talk about iPad workflows without mentioning Rock Paper Pencil. It’s a matte screen protector that feels just like paper, and it even comes with replacement Apple Pencil tips that will make you feel like you’re writing with a pencil.
The matte screen protector is engineered with nano-textured nodes that replicate the drag, tooth, and friction of pencil and paper.
Overall, it’s the most realistic pencil-on-paper experience you can get for your iPad. So, if you’ve got your heart set on Procreate, you might want to invest in Rock Paper Pencil.
#3: Krita
🥉Award: best Adobe alternative for students or hobbyists
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 Adobe alternative.
Its open-source nature allows for extensive customization, provided you have the technical know-how. And, despite its relatively lightweight UI, Krita is packed with brushes and tools, and you can even import extra.
Thankfully, Krita has taken a responsible stance on AI, pledging that “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 doesn’t have built-in AI tools, but the desktop version supports plugins that have AI features. Unfortunately, iPads don’t support plugins, so there’s no straightforward way for iPad users to add generative AI features.
👍 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
- Generative AI is not available for Krita on iPad.
- 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 Krita is completely free, it provides an excellent opportunity for budding artists to experiment and develop their skills without any financial burden.
Its 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.
#4: Sketchbook
🏆Award: Best Adobe alternative for a lightweight sketching app
Another Adobe alternative is Sketchbook. It was originally released as Autodesk Sketchbook in 2012, but is now known simply as Sketchbook.
It’s a polished yet accessible art tool with a simple user interface and decent drawing and painting brushes. The learning curve isn’t intimidating, so beginners and hobbyists can get stuck right in.
There’s no doubt that Sketchbook is a lightweight painting app. By that, we mean that it has all the essential tools to create digital artwork —like brushes, layers, and design tools — but it lacks some of the more advanced features that professional creatives might crave.
For instance, Sketchbook doesn’t support complex photo retouching, 3D rendering, or animation.
💡 Good to know: iPad painters can branch out into different creative disciplines by downloading other apps in the Sketchbook ecosystem. Sketchbook Motion is an older app, but it gives you access to more fleshed-out animation tools.
Pros:
- The basic version is completely free, and the Pro version is pretty affordable.
- Sketchbook has a minimal learning curve, making it perfect for beginners who want to try digital art.
- The simple user interface leads to easy navigation.
- Supports Apple Pencil Pro features like Squeeze and Barrel Roll.
Cons:
- Even though it’s a worthy Adobe alternative for some, others say that Sketchbook is far too simplistic for professional digital artwork.
- To access advanced features like layer grouping and masking, gradients, and the ability to import and export color palettes and brushes, you need to make a one-off purchase of $19.99.
🏆 Sketchbook is the best program for beginners
Calling all beginners! Sketchbook is the Adobe alternative for you. This lightweight app might not have all the mods and cons, but it’s a great place to begin. You can experiment with standard tools, find your art style, and move on to something more complicated when you’re confident enough.
#5: Corel Painter
🏅Award: Best Adobe alternative for realistic, traditional painting
Corel Painter is one of the classic Adobe alternatives. These two painting tools have been going head-to-head for quite some time, and it’s easy to see why.
This painting tool mimics oils, watercolors, pastels, and other traditional media forms to provide you with an uncannily realistic experience. To top things off, the Brush Library is vast, the user interface is highly customizable, and there are several interesting AI tools, like the tool that converts photos into paintings.
It’s no wonder so many digital artists and illustrators have made the switch. That being said, Corel Painter is only available on macOS and Windows, so it isn’t the sort of digital app you can use on the go.
💡 Good to know: Corel Painter isn’t available on iPad, but it is designed to support Wacom tablets. We’ve covered the iPad vs. Wacom debate before, but basically, we believe that iPads are far superior for digital drawing, painting, and everything in between.
Pros:
- Offers the most realistic traditional media in the digital world.
- You can personalize panels and toolbars to suit your workflow.
- There’s no subscription fee, a big relief for digital artists.
- AI tools can help you create paintings that match your vision.
Cons:
- Not available on iPad.
- At $16.58 per month for a year-long subscription, Corel Painter is more expensive than some of the other Adobe alternatives on our list.
- The number and complexity of the tools create a moderate to steep learning curve.
- Mainly limited to painting tools, which could make digital artists feel constrained.
- Users say that the customer support is poor.
🏅 Corel Painter is the best for realistic tools
There’s something to be said for finally finding realistic digital brushes. Corel Painter is one of the few digital art tools that does this well, and the expensive monthly subscription is a testament to that.
Still, if you want realistic watercolors, oil paints, and gouache, Corel Painter is the way forward.
What to look for in an Adobe alternative
With all the Adobe alternatives swirling around, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. To help you cut to the chase, we’ve outlined five things to look for.
- 💰 Price model: No digital artist has ever said they prefer a subscription model over a one-off fee. The truth is, subscription models are often an excuse to charge an exorbitant fee — after all, $240 a year sounds much better when it’s billed as $19.99 per month. Procreate and Sketchbook are great examples of Adobe alternatives that have just as many great painting features for a one-off fee of under $20.
- 💻 Platform availability: This all depends on your preferred workflow. Some people are happy to settle for a tool that is only desktop-compatible, like Corel Painter. Others want something that’s available across platforms so they can touch up their artwork on the go.
- 🖌️ Brush engine quality: There’s a big divide in the digital art world: tools either try to replicate natural brush strokes or opt for a more stylized digital approach. Before you invest in any Adobe alternatives, you need to figure out which you prefer.
- 📁 File compatibility: Another thing to consider is file compatibility — which files does your preferred painting tool support? In general, different file formats support specific digital art features. .webp, .webp, and .TIFF support Raster files, and .PDF, .SVG, and .EPS are better suited to art that you want to resize and print.
- 🧑🎨 Community resources: Tutorials, community forums, and brush packs can make all the difference, especially for beginners who want hands-on support while they’re still learning.
Which Adobe alternative will you try?
Adobe isn’t the only digital painting tool at your disposal.
More and more people are making the switch to an Adobe alternative. The alternatives on this list might not be the exact same as Adobe Creative Suite, but they’re cheaper and come with a host of other benefits that might better fit your digital needs.
So, whether you’re a complete beginner or a seasoned pro, you might want to try Procreate, Krita, or any of the other Adobe alternatives on the market.
