SoftNexi

Windows · Graphics & Image Editing

Krita for Windows

Free, open-source digital painting application with brush engines, animation tools, and a workflow built for illustrators.

Updated August 9, 2026 · Reviewed by SoftNexi Editorial Team, Software research and documentation

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Overview

Krita is a free and open-source application built specifically for digital painting and illustration, rather than general photo editing. Its brush engines simulate a wide range of natural media, and its canvas, color, and layer tools are organized around the workflow of an illustrator sketching, inking, and painting from scratch.

It includes features photo editors don't need but painters do: canvas rotation and mirroring for checking a drawing's balance, a wraparound mode for seamless pattern painting, a basic 2D animation timeline (onion skinning included), and stabilizers that smooth shaky pen strokes.

Compared to GIMP, Krita is the better choice specifically for painting from a blank canvas or working with a drawing tablet; GIMP remains the better fit for photo retouching and general raster editing. The two overlap only partially despite both being free and open source.

It suits illustrators, comic artists, and concept artists working with a pen tablet, including those coming from paid tools like Photoshop or Clip Studio Paint who want a free option with a comparable painting-first workflow.

Key features

  • Multiple brush engines simulating natural media (pencil, ink, watercolor, and more)
  • Pressure and tilt sensitivity support for pen tablets
  • Basic 2D animation timeline with onion skinning
  • Canvas rotation, mirroring, and wraparound mode for pattern work
  • Stroke stabilizers for smoother linework
  • Layer groups, clipping masks, and blending modes geared toward painting
  • Customizable brush presets and a resource-sharing bundle system

System requirements

Operating system
Windows 11 and Windows 10 (64-bit)
Input
Works with mouse but is designed around pressure-sensitive pen tablets
Architecture
64-bit only

How to install Krita

  1. 1. Download from the developer

    Go to krita.org/en/download and choose the Windows installer or portable ZIP.

  2. 2. Run setup

    Approve the UAC prompt and complete installation with default options.

  3. 3. Set up your tablet

    Install your drawing tablet's driver separately, then confirm pressure sensitivity works under Settings > Configure Krita > Tablet Settings.

How to use it

  1. 1. Start a canvas

    Use File > New and choose a resolution and color profile suited to your final output (screen or print).

  2. 2. Pick a brush

    Choose a brush preset from the docker on the right; adjust size and opacity from the top toolbar or with tablet pressure.

  3. 3. Organize with layers

    Use layer groups and clipping masks to separate line art, color, and shading for easier edits.

  4. 4. Use assistants

    Enable perspective or symmetry assistants under the Tool Options for structured drawing tasks.

  5. 5. Export

    Use File > Export to save a flattened PNG or JPEG for sharing, keeping the native .kra file for further editing.

Safety and privacy

  • We link only to krita.org, the developer's official site.
  • Krita is open source with publicly reviewable source code.
Bundled software
The official installer does not bundle third-party offers.
Privacy
Krita runs locally and does not require an account for the free desktop download.

Known risks

  • Third-party brush packs and resource bundles run with the app's file access; download resource packs from sources you trust.

What's new

  • 5.x series

    Recent 5.x releases have refined brush engine performance and animation tools. Check the developer's release notes on krita.org for the current version.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Free and open source with no subscription
  • Brush engines built specifically for painting and illustration
  • Pen tablet support with pressure and tilt sensitivity
  • Basic animation timeline included
  • Active community resource sharing for brushes and bundles

Cons

  • Not designed for photo retouching workflows the way GIMP is
  • Animation tools are basic compared to dedicated animation software
  • Some advanced Photoshop-style adjustment layers have no direct equivalent
  • Large brush and resource bundles can grow the install size

Verdict

Krita is the strongest free option for digital painting and illustration on Windows, with a brush and canvas workflow built specifically for that purpose. It is not a photo editor, and users who need that should use GIMP instead.

Frequently asked questions

Is Krita free?

Yes, the desktop download from krita.org is free. A paid Windows Store version exists mainly as a way to support development; the software itself is the same.

Is Krita good for beginners?

Yes, its brush presets and painting-focused layout are approachable, though like any painting software it takes practice to use well.

Does Krita support drawing tablets?

Yes, it supports pressure and tilt sensitivity from common pen tablet brands once the tablet's own driver is installed.

Can Krita edit photos like GIMP?

It has layers and basic adjustment tools, but it is built for painting rather than photo retouching; GIMP is the better tool for that job.