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Adobe Photoshop vs Krita
Adobe Photoshop vs Krita
A side-by-side look at Adobe Photoshop (the paid SaaS) and Krita (the open source alternative). Use this page to decide if the switch fits your team and workflow.
| Adobe Photoshop | Krita | |
|---|---|---|
| Tagline | Industry-standard raster image editor. | Open source digital painting and illustration. |
| License | Proprietary SaaS | GPL-3.0 |
| Pricing | From $22.99/month (single app). | Free to self-host |
| Self-host option | No | Yes — difficulty 1/5 |
| Hosted cloud available | Yes (only option) | No |
| Desktop apps | Varies by product | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Mobile apps | Official apps typically available | Android |
Ad slot — between tables
Best for
Digital painting, illustration and concept art.
Krita strengths
- Built for illustrators and concept artists.
- Rich brush engine and animation support.
- Regular releases with bug fixes.
Krita weaknesses
- Not built for photo editing workflows.
- Performance on very large canvases varies.
- No desktop subscription means slower paid support paths.
What's the catch with Adobe Photoshop?
- Subscription pricing — you never own the software.
- Heavy install; requires powerful machine.
- Steep learning curve.
Still unsure?
Check the full list of alternatives to Adobe Photoshop: see Adobe Photoshop alternatives, or learn more about Krita on its project page.