PaintTool SAI Alternatives

What is PaintTool SAI?

PaintTool SAI is a software used for graphic designing. The tool is light in weight but is powerful. You can access vector tools for graphic designing. You can also use the tools for touchscreen devices and draw graphics with a digital pen. Illustrations can be easily made by using different types of art tools available here.

Cost of PaintTool SAI

The cost of PaintTool SAI is approximately $52. It is only a one-time purchase. Buyers do not have to pay any subscription fee.

Why PaintTool SAI Alternatives?

There are a few disadvantages which need to be mentioned here −

• The tool is difficult to learn as there are many features

• No feature available to add text

• Modifying shadows, lights, and colors is not easy

• Limited number of built-in brushes

• Available in the English language only

How to choose a PaintTool SAI Alternative?

PaintTool SAI has many advantages and we will look at some of them here −

• The software will not use much memory as it is light in weight

• Tools can be renamed

• Compatible with different image formats

• Good for making anime

• Selection features are better in comparison to Photoshop

Top 10 PaintTool SAI Alternatives

There are many alternatives to PaintTool SAI and we will look at some of them in detail.

Alternative 1 – Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Photoshop is an advanced graphic designing software that comes with different tools and features. It is an image manipulation software which professionals can use for creating new and editing existing images. You can also give lights and shadows to the images. The software uses layers which helps in adding masks. Several color models are also available which can be applied to the images.

Features

• Edit text and images

• Image correction tools available

• Automatic correction feature available

• Photoshop comes with a large number of tools and brushes

Alternative 2 – Clip Studio Paint

Clip Studio Paint has been developed by Celsys, a Japanese company. The tool is available for $219. The tool is an excellent option for the designers of webcomic and sequential artists. Professionals can add animation, integrate 3D models, and do many other things. It is a powerful software that has to be learned.

Features

• Excellent tool for webcomic developer

• Can edit text and images

• Powerful software

Alternative 3 – FireAlpaca

FireAlpaca is an easy-to-use software which is available for free. It has many features similar to PaintTool SAI. The multilingual software can be installed easily on Windows and Mac systems. It is available in ten languages. Drawing and painting can be done by using different types of brushes. Pencil and eraser tools are also available. The software also comes with text editing tools that are not available in PaintTool SAI.

Features

• Multilingual software available in 10 languages

• Compatible with Mac and Windows systems

• Drawing, painting, pencil, eraser, and text editing tools available

Alternative 4 – Procreate

Procreate is developed by Savage Interactive. It is a raster-based software which is compatible with iOS and iPadOS. Procreate has many features like QuickShape and Color Drop. Various workflow-optimizing functions are also available with the tool. Besides all these, the tool also has a lot of brushes. An integrated special effects feature is also available which cannot be found in the PaintTool SAI

Features

• The tool is compatible with iOS and iPadOS

• The tool has QuickShape and Color Drop features

• A lot of brushes are available

Alternative 5 – MediBang

MediBang is an app which allows its users to save their work on cloud. This cloud-based app helps users to access their work on any device and make modifications. The app can be installed easily on different operating systems like Android, Mac, iOS and Windows. MediBang is also available online so there is no need to install any software. The interface is simple to use for beginners and expert designers. You can find brushes, rulers, and give special effects to the images.

Features

• It is a cloud-based app

• It can be installed on any device

• It is also available online

• The app has brushes and rulers

• Give special effects to your images

Alternative 6 – GIMP

GIMP is another excellent alternative to PaintTool SAI. GIMP is available for free and you can download it on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. The user interface can be used easily especially by the users familiar with Photoshop. Besides image manipulation, you can also add animated GIFs. People who want to combine photography with animations can use this software.

Features

• Free to use

• Add animations

• Combine photography with animation

Alternative 7 – Autodesk SketchBook

Autodesk SketchBook is a software application that comes with different types of features and functions. An artist can find brushes, pencils, color tools, pastels, and many more things. The software consists of 100s of templates which can be used for perfect drawing. You can create 3D objects through this software. You can also apply special effects to your images.

Features

• Different tools for drawing are available

• Make drawings easily through different templates

• Crate 3D objects

Alternative 8 – Corel Painter

Corel Painter application has been developed for professional artists. You can find brushes and tools to create different types of paintings. Canvas is not needed to create images. The tool consists of 700 brushes and you can also create a custom one to use for your drawing. The user-friendly interface can be understood easily. Photos can also be imported which can be changed easily into paintings. The software is available for $499.

Features

• The software has 700 brushes

• Custom brushes can also be created

• Corel Painter has more features and functions than PaintTool SAI

Alternative 9 – Krita

Krita is a free graphic designing software which can be used for drawing new and editing existing images. Illustrators and artists can use this open-source software with the help of custom brushes. Different types of functions can be found in the software which are helpful in the creation of animations, webcomics, and different types of drawings and paintings. The software can be easily installed on different platforms

Features

• Compatible with Windows, Linux, and Mac

• Suitable to make webcomics, animations, and paintings

• Available for free

Alternative 10 – MyPaint

MyPaint is a free and powerful software which can be used to manipulate digital paintings. The software can be installed easily on Windows, Linux, and Unix-like systems. The software has been developed for those designers who are unable to pay thousands of dollars to purchase a software for editing images. People having basic knowledge of computers can easily use the software.

Features

• A large set of brushes

• User interface easy to use

• Can be installed on Windows and Linux systems

Conclusion

PaintTool SAI is a paid software which can be used for editing images. The tool has to be learned in detail so that perfect images can be made. The tool does not have a text editing feature and number of brushes is also limited. There are many free and paid alternatives to PaintTool SAI which can be used to manipulate images, add animation, add GIFs, etc.