# Krita vs MediBang Paint (2026)

By Noah — last updated & pricing verified October 23, 2026.

> **Verdict:** Choose Krita if you paint on a Windows, macOS or Linux computer and want a free, open-source GPL-3.0 app with stabilizers, canvas rotation, wraparound mode and a built-in animation timeline, with no feature paywall. Choose MediBang Paint if you draw manga on an iPad, iPhone or Android device as well as a computer and want 1,000+ screentones, cloud sync across unlimited devices and Group Project collaboration. The deciding factor is where you draw: Krita has no official mobile app, while MediBang Paint has no Linux version and limits free cloud storage.

**Choose Krita if:** You work on Linux, or want the same app across Windows, macOS and Linux; You want open-source software (GPL-3.0) with the full app free and no paid upgrade; You need drawing aids built for freehand painting: stabilizers, canvas rotation, mirroring and wraparound mode; You animate frame by frame and want a built-in 2D animation timeline; You want to extend the app with third-party plugins and resource packs

**Choose MediBang Paint if:** You draw on an iPad, iPhone or Android device, where Krita has no official app; You make manga and want 1,000+ screentones and 180+ brushes preloaded; Several artists split story, drafts, inking and screentones on one shared file; You move between devices and want files synced through one MediBang account

## At a glance

|  | Krita | MediBang Paint |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pricing | Free | Pricing not verified |
| License | Open source | Freemium |
| Best for | digital painters, comic artists, and concept artists who want a full-featured, no-cost illustration tool with a brush engine built specifically for freehand painting rather than photo editing | manga and comic artists who want free screentones and brushes plus multi-artist Group Project collaboration across Windows, Mac, iPad, iPhone, and Android |
| Ratings | Product Hunt 5/5 (1 reviews) | — |

## Feature comparison

| Feature | Krita | MediBang Paint |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Starting price | Yes (free, full app from krita.org) | Yes (free on every supported platform) |
| Full features free | Yes (no feature paywall; paid Microsoft Store and Steam copy is optional) | Partial (drawing tools free; heavier cloud storage use needs MediBang Premium (price not listed)) |
| Desktop platforms | Yes (Windows, macOS, Linux) | Partial (Windows 10+, macOS 11+; no Linux) |
| Mobile and tablet apps | No (no official iOS or Android app) | Yes (iPad, iPhone, Android) |
| Open source | Yes (GPL-3.0, source at github.com/KDE/krita) | No (freemium) |
| Included brushes | Yes (customizable presets plus resource packs) | Yes (180+ brushes) |
| Manga screentones | Unknown | Yes (1,000+ built in) |
| Drawing aids | Yes (stabilizers, canvas rotation, mirroring, wraparound mode) | Unknown |
| Animation timeline | Yes (built-in 2D frame-by-frame) | Unknown |
| Multi-artist collaboration | Unknown | Yes (Group Project splits story, drafts, inking and screentones in one file) |
| Cross-device sync | Unknown | Yes (unlimited devices per MediBang account; free storage limited) |
| Plugins | Yes (third-party plugins; smaller ecosystem than Photoshop or Clip Studio Paint) | Unknown |
| Learning curve | Partial (moderate) | Partial (moderate) |
| External rating (Product Hunt) | Yes (5.0/5 from 1 review) | Unknown |

## Krita vs MediBang Paint pricing: which costs less?

Krita and MediBang Paint both cost $0 to draw with, but Krita has no paid tier at all, while MediBang Paint limits free cloud storage and sells a MediBang Premium subscription for heavier use.

Krita's direct download from krita.org is the full application with no feature restrictions. The identical app is also sold on the Microsoft Store and Steam at a small one-time price purely to fund development, and it unlocks nothing extra. MediBang Paint is free on every supported platform with no basic brushes locked, but cross-device sync and Group Project files draw on limited free cloud storage. The listing data does not give MediBang Premium's price.

## Which is better for manga, Krita or MediBang Paint?

MediBang Paint is better set up for manga out of the box, with 1,000+ screentones, 180+ brushes and Group Project collaboration, while Krita's listing does not document a screentone library.

MediBang Paint's Group Project lets separate artists handle story, drafts, line art and screentones inside one shared file. Krita targets comics, concept art and illustration through its brush engine, stabilizers and vector layers, and it adds a frame-by-frame animation timeline that MediBang Paint's listing does not mention. Both trail Clip Studio Paint in places: MediBang Paint's brush engine and page and panel management are less advanced, and Krita has a smaller plugin and brush marketplace.

## Which runs on more devices, Krita or MediBang Paint?

MediBang Paint runs on more device types, covering Windows, macOS, iPad, iPhone and Android, while Krita covers Windows, macOS and Linux with no official mobile app.

MediBang Paint needs Windows 10 or later or macOS 11 (Big Sur) or later on desktop, and it has no Linux or browser version. One MediBang account syncs files across an unlimited number of devices, and drawing works offline except for cloud sync. Krita is the only one of the two for Linux artists, and its .kra files keep layers while exporting to PSD or PNG for other tools.

## Can MediBang Paint replace Krita?

MediBang Paint can replace Krita for manga, comics and drawing on tablets or phones, but not for Linux users, frame-by-frame animation or artists who want open-source software.

Both apps carry a moderate learning curve and both cost nothing for drawing. Krita's listing documents stabilizers, wraparound mode, vector layers, plugins and an animation timeline that MediBang Paint's listing does not mention. MediBang Paint adds what Krita lacks: official mobile apps, built-in screentones, cross-device sync and multi-artist Group Projects.

## Strengths and weaknesses

### Krita

- Pro: Completely free with no feature paywall, unlike most professional-grade painting software.
- Pro: Brush engine and stabilizers are purpose-built for freehand illustration and comic work.
- Pro: Open-source (GPL-3.0) with an active community and regular release cadence.
- Pro: Built-in animation timeline supports basic frame-by-frame animation without a separate tool.
- Con: Not designed for photo editing or retouching; lacks RAW support and CMYK color management for print work.
- Con: Smaller plugin and brush-marketplace ecosystem than Photoshop or Clip Studio Paint.
- Con: No official mobile app for iOS/Android, unlike Procreate or Clip Studio Paint.
- Con: Some advanced features (vector tools, text handling) are less polished than in dedicated design software.

### MediBang Paint

- Pro: Free on every supported platform with no basic brushes locked behind a paywall.
- Pro: Comes preloaded with 180+ brushes and 1,000+ screentones, so manga artists don't need separate screentone packs.
- Pro: One MediBang account syncs files across an unlimited number of devices spanning Windows, macOS, iPad, iPhone, and Android.
- Pro: Group Project lets multiple artists split story, draft, inking, and screentone work on a single shared file.
- Con: Brush engine and layer/effects toolkit are less advanced than Clip Studio Paint, the tool most professional manga studios use.
- Con: Free-tier cloud storage for multi-device sync and Group Project is limited, and heavier use requires a paid MediBang Premium subscription.
- Con: No browser-based editor: the desktop app requires Windows 10+ or macOS 11 (Big Sur)+, and mobile use needs a separate iPad, iPhone, or Android install.
- Con: Built-in screentone and material store skews toward a Japanese manga aesthetic, which can feel narrow for other illustration styles.

## Which fits your use case?

| Use case | Pick | Why |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Manga artist drawing on an iPad | MediBang Paint | MediBang Paint has an iPad app with 1,000+ screentones; Krita has no official iOS app. |
| Concept artist working on a Linux workstation | Krita | Krita runs natively on Linux; MediBang Paint supports Windows, macOS, iPad, iPhone and Android only. |
| Small comic team splitting inking and toning | MediBang Paint | MediBang Paint's Group Project lets artists divide story, drafts, inking and screentones inside one shared file. |
| Animator making frame-by-frame shorts | Krita | Krita includes a built-in 2D animation timeline; MediBang Paint's listing does not mention animation. |
| Hobbyist who wants a free app with no upsell | Krita | Krita's full app is free with no paid tier, while MediBang Paint pushes heavier cloud storage users toward MediBang Premium. |
| Artist who switches between phone, tablet and PC | MediBang Paint | One MediBang account syncs MediBang Paint files across unlimited Windows, macOS, iPad, iPhone and Android devices. |

## Migration FAQ

### Should I use Krita or MediBang Paint?

Use Krita if you paint on a desktop, especially Linux, and want a free open-source app with animation and stabilizers; use MediBang Paint if you draw manga on a tablet or phone and want built-in screentones and cloud sync.

### Is Krita cheaper than MediBang Paint?

Neither is cheaper for drawing — Krita and MediBang Paint both cost $0. Krita has no paid tier at all, while MediBang Paint sells MediBang Premium for heavier cloud storage use, and its price is not in the listing data.

### Can MediBang Paint replace Krita?

Yes for manga, comics and drawing on mobile devices, since MediBang Paint adds iPad, iPhone and Android apps and 1,000+ screentones. MediBang Paint has no Linux version, and its listing does not mention the animation timeline Krita includes.

### Does Krita have an iPad app?

No — Krita has no official iOS or Android app and runs on Windows, macOS and Linux. MediBang Paint offers apps for iPad, iPhone and Android.

### Is Krita open source?

Yes — Krita is open source under GPL-3.0, developed by the KDE community with source at github.com/KDE/krita. MediBang Paint is a freemium app from MediBang Inc.

## Neither a match?

- 6 alternatives to Krita: https://findalternative.to/krita
- 4 alternatives to MediBang Paint: https://findalternative.to/medibang-paint

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Markdown mirror of https://findalternative.to/compare/krita-vs-medibang-paint — findalternative.to, honestly ranked software alternatives. AI info: https://findalternative.to/ai