Is Krita Free? Krita FAQ

Is Krita really free, with no catch?

Yes. Krita is free and open-source software, funded by the Krita Foundation and donations rather than licence fees. There is no trial period, no locked "pro" tier and no watermark on your work — the full program is free on Windows, macOS and Linux. If you buy Krita on the Windows Store or Steam, that money simply supports development; the download from krita.org is free.

Is Krita safe to download?

Yes, when you get it from the official source. Because Krita is open-source, its code is public and the official builds are clean, with no bundled adware. The only real risk is re-hosted copies on third-party portals that wrap free software in their own installer. Every download button on this guide points to the official krita.org page, so you always get the genuine build.

Which operating systems does Krita support?

Krita has native builds for Windows, macOS and Linux, and they are all the same full program — there is no cut-down edition. On Linux the AppImage runs on most distributions without installation. There is also a paid Android/tablet version on some stores that funds development, but the desktop program is the main, free release.

What file formats does Krita support?

Krita saves to its own layered .kra format and imports and exports many others, including PNG, JPEG, TIFF, PSD (Photoshop), WEBP, BMP, GIF and EXR. The PSD support is especially useful because it lets you exchange layered files with Photoshop and other editors, so Krita fits neatly into a mixed workflow.

Does Krita support drawing tablets?

Yes, and it is one of Krita's strengths. It works with pen tablets and pen displays from the major makers, with pressure sensitivity, tilt and a brush stabiliser for smooth strokes. A mouse works too, but a pen makes painting and inking far more natural. See the brushes guide for how the stabiliser helps.

Can Krita make animations?

Yes. Krita has a built-in 2D frame-by-frame animation system with a timeline, onion skinning and export to video or image sequences. You animate with the same brushes you paint with, which makes it an approachable free option for hand-drawn animation — the animation guide covers it in detail.

Is Krita good for photo editing?

Krita is built for painting and drawing rather than photo retouching. It can open and adjust images and has layers and filters, but if your main task is editing photographs a dedicated photo editor may suit you better. For illustration, concept art, comics, textures and animation, Krita is right at home.

Krita vs Photoshop — which should I use?

The honest answer is that they overlap but aim at different things. Photoshop is a broad, subscription-based image editor; Krita is a free painting program focused on drawing and illustration. For digital painting, comics and 2D animation, many artists find Krita's brush engine and workflow every bit as capable — and it costs nothing. Because Krita reads and writes PSD files, you can even use both together.

Does Krita need an internet connection?

No. Once installed, Krita works entirely offline — there is no online activation or account. You only need a connection to download the program or an update.

How do I update Krita?

Download the current 5.3.2.1 build from the download page and install it over your existing copy; your settings and custom brushes are kept. There is no forced auto-updater, so you update when you choose. Staying current is worth it for the latest brush, format and stability improvements described in the feature guide.

Is Krita open source?

Yes. Krita is released under the GNU General Public License, which means the source code is public, anyone can study or improve it, and it will always be free. It is developed by the Krita Foundation together with volunteers and sponsored developers, and funded by donations and the paid store versions rather than by charging for the download.

Can I use Krita commercially and sell my art?

Yes. Art you create in Krita is entirely yours, and you can sell it or use it commercially with no restrictions and no royalties. Because the program itself is GPL software, there is also no per-seat licence to buy for using it at work or in a studio — it is free for everyone.

Does Krita cost money on Steam or the Windows Store?

The store versions carry a small price, but that is a way to support development and get automatic updates — the program is the same. The download from krita.org is free and complete, so paying is optional and purely a form of donation.

Does Krita run on a Chromebook?

On Chromebooks that support Linux apps, the Linux AppImage can often be run, and some users install Krita that way. It is not an official Chromebook build, so results depend on your device, but for many newer Chromebooks it works. On any supported system, the safest route is always the official download.

Common questions