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A Krita alternative for Windows
Krita is a capable, free, open-source painting app, and it is a great choice for many artists. If its workflow or feel is not clicking for you, Limner is another native Windows option to try.
| Limner | Krita | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free in beta; Plus is a one-time purchase later | Free and open source |
| Platform | Windows | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| In one document | Raster, vector, animation, comics | Painting, frame animation, basic vector |
| Timelapse recording | Built in, up to 4K | Not built in |
| PSD | Opens and exports layered PSD | Opens and exports PSD |
| Photoshop .abr brushes | Imports | Imports |
Being straight with you
Krita is free and open source, runs on Windows, and is genuinely good. Limner is not cheaper than free, so the reason to try it is a different feel and a more unified workflow, not price. It is worth being honest about that up front.
What is different in Limner
- One document that switches between raster painting, editable vector line art, animation, and multi-page comics, with the tools changing as you go.
- Inking with a stabilizer, taper, and post-stroke correction tuned for clean lines.
- Native 4K timelapse recording that lives inside the file and resumes across sessions.
- Imports Photoshop
.abrbrushes as tips, and opens and exports layered PSD. - Built to feel fast on the PC you already own, down to integrated graphics.
An honest comparison
Krita is mature, free, and has years of community brushes and features. Limner is in beta and does not match Krita's breadth. Where Limner aims to win is feel: a calmer, more focused workspace, integrated vector and comic tools, and timelapse baked in. Many artists happily use both. Try Limner and see which one you reach for.
No subscription
Limner is free during the beta. Limner Plus, when it launches, will be a one-time purchase, never a subscription, and a Free tier stays.
Common questions
Is Limner free like Krita?
Limner is free to use during the open beta. Krita is free and open source permanently. Limner Plus will later be a one-time purchase for its advanced features, while a Free tier stays.
Can I use my Krita brushes?
Krita brush bundles are not supported directly, but Limner imports Photoshop .abr brush files as new tips.
Does Limner open Krita files?
Not the native .kra format. Krita can export a layered PSD, and Limner opens PSD with its layers.