Which drawing software should you choose? My honest 2026 comparison

There is no shortage of drawing software out there — and the landscape has shifted quite a bit in recent years. Here I share the ones I actually use or have seriously tested, with current pricing. I only recommend tools I have spent real time with, so this comparison is personal and honest.

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On computer — PC / Mac

1. Adobe Photoshop — Monthly subscription (€25–30/month)

Photoshop is a retouching, graphic design and drawing application that forms part of the Adobe Creative Cloud suite. It is the software I have used most extensively in my professional life, and it remains an industry benchmark. Its main strength is seamless compatibility with the Adobe ecosystem and the sheer volume of tutorials available online.

Its drawback is the cost. A Photoshop-only subscription runs around €25 per month, or it is included in the full Creative Cloud suite at roughly €60 per month. Discounted rates are available for students and educational institutions.

2. Adobe Illustrator — Monthly subscription (€25–30/month)

The industry-standard vector software, essential for packaging, brand identity and anything that needs to scale infinitely. A must for branding work. It shares the same interface logic as Photoshop, which makes switching between the two fairly natural.

3. Affinity (Photo + Designer + Publisher) — Free

Big news since October 2025: the Affinity suite, acquired by Canva in 2024, is now completely free. Affinity Photo, Designer and Publisher have been merged into a single unified application simply called Affinity. All professional features are available at no cost, with no time limit.

One nuance: AI-powered tools (image generation, generative fill) require a Canva Premium subscription from around €110 per year. But for drawing and illustration work, the free version is more than sufficient.

Affinity is now the most serious alternative to Adobe for anyone who does not want a monthly subscription. I recommend it without hesitation for discovering digital drawing on PC or Mac.

4. Clip Studio Paint — From €69 (one-off) or subscription

Clip Studio Paint has become the go-to software for manga, comic and illustration artists. It includes speech bubble templates, panel layouts and an exceptionally well-developed brush engine. Pricing depends on the version: Pro (€69) is more than enough for most users, while EX (€219) is aimed at multi-page comics and animation. A monthly subscription is also available.

5. PaintTool SAI — Around €50 (one-off)

A Japanese drawing-focused application, simple and effective. The interface is less polished than Photoshop or Affinity, but it handles stylus pressure well. A solid entry-level option for pure drawing without the retouching features of other tools.

6. GIMP — Free

The free, open-source reference for retouching and drawing. PSD-compatible and does the job for getting started without a budget. The interface is less intuitive, but there are plenty of learning resources available online.

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On tablet and smartphone

1. Procreate — £10.99 / €12.99 (one-off, iOS only)

For me, Procreate is THE drawing app on iPad, and I am far from alone in that view. Available exclusively on iOS, it has become the absolute benchmark for illustration on tablet. PSD-compatible, it supports layered working, basic animation, and offers a vast library of customisable brushes. For under €13 — a one-off purchase — the value is unmatched.

2. Procreate Dreams — €21.99 (one-off, iOS only)

The animation spin-off from Procreate, released in late 2023. If you want to explore 2D animation on iPad, this is the tool to go for.

3. Adobe Fresco — Free (advanced features require subscription)

Adobe's illustration app for tablet. The free tier is already well-equipped, with high-quality vector and pixel brushes. Accessing the live watercolour brushes and advanced features requires a Creative Cloud subscription.

4. Autodesk Sketchbook — Free

Available on iOS and Android, a good option for those outside the Apple ecosystem. Clean interface, decent layer management. Slightly less powerful than Procreate, but accessible on more devices.

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I hope this comparison helps you find the right fit. If you are still unsure, feel free to leave a comment or get in touch via my Contact page — I am always happy to share my experience.

→ Also check out my article on drawing tablets by budget, and my beginner's guide to traditional drawing supplies.