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Reviewed by The Empire Reviews Editorial Team — Product testing & research.
We are a small in-house team that buys, uses and stress-tests every product before it is ranked. We have no sponsored placements: brands cannot pay for a higher position. When a cheaper or unaffiliated product is genuinely better, we say so and rank it first. How we test →
Updated June 2026
Krita: The Best Free Digital Painting App
Krita is a free, open-source painting program built for illustrators and concept artists. Honest review.
What it is
Krita is a free, open-source digital painting application with a professional brush engine, layer system and animation tools, made by and for artists.
It is funded by donations and the small paid copies on app stores; the downloadable version from krita.org is identical and free.
What you get for free
Free from krita.org. The paid store versions just support development.
Who it is for
Illustrators and concept artists who want a no-cost professional tool.
Our take
For painting and illustration it rivals paid tools. Easy #1 in its niche, and it pays us nothing.
Check current priceWe do not currently hold an affiliate link for this product. It is reviewed and ranked purely on merit.
Reviewed by The Empire Reviews Editorial Team — Product testing & research.
We are a small in-house team that buys, uses and stress-tests every product before it is ranked. We have no sponsored placements: brands cannot pay for a higher position. When a cheaper or unaffiliated product is genuinely better, we say so and rank it first. How we test →