12 Best Digital Art Software Programs in 2023 (Free & Paid)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What Is the Best Digital Art Software?

I ranked Adobe Photoshop as the best digital art software because it’s basically good at everything, from digital painting and drawing to photo editing. No wonder it’s the gold standard for graphic designers across the globe.

Photoshop is also the standard for manual and more extensive retouching work. For this reason, it has a massive appeal to different visual artists.

• Illustrators
• Digital artists
• Photographers
• Movie effects technicians

Plus, it works across multiple devices, including desktops, tablets, and smartphones. That’s why it remains the most commonly used tool in professional digital artwork creation, followed by Adobe Illustrator and Procreate.

However, as a very comprehensive program, it comes with a higher price tag than its competitors.

So, if you’re looking for digital art tools that are free and quite similar to some of Photoshop’s features, consider GIMP and Krita.

But ultimately, while I consider Photoshop the best digital art software out there, the right one for you really depends on your skill level, budget, the type of project you create, and your tools and accessories.

What’s the Difference Between Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator?

While both Adobe products work with images, they have different applications.

Photoshop is ideal for retouching images and creating graphics that require a lot of layers, such as those used in web design.

By contrast, Illustrator is best for creating vector graphics. As a result, this tool is popular among artists and graphic designers who create logos, charts, icons, posters, infographics, brochures, ads, and magazines.

What’s the Best Free Drawing Software for Computers?

Krita and GIMP are some excellent free digital art tools for computers and laptops. Both are excellent in different ways, making it difficult to choose between them.

In a nutshell, GIMP offers more features, although Krita’s capabilities and interface are more polished.

Another thing to remember is that GIMP is more suitable for image editing, whereas Krita is better for digital illustrations.

What’s the Best Painting App for iPads and iOS Phones?

When it comes to affordable drawing apps for iPad and iOS users, I would recommend Procreate, with its extensive selection of brushes and wide format support.

It’s also affordable. You only need to pay $12.99 for its lifetime use.

What Are Some Affordable Software To Use with Drawing Tablets?

Clip Studio Paint Pro, Affinity Photo, and Corel Painter are excellent options to use with a drawing tablet.

What Drawing Software Is Best on a Computer?

Photoshop remains the best drawing software on a computer, followed by Rebelle 6 and Krita.

The Bottom Line

If you have the budget and the right skill set, the general rule is to go for the industry leaders, like Adobe Photoshop.

But for newbies or people who don’t want to invest in fancy software, there are still plenty of free digital art tools, ranging from web-based programs to mobile apps.

I hope this list can help you find the best digital art software for you.

With the right choice, you can create beautiful artwork, eye-catching posters, and stunning ecommerce product images.