Krita

Krita is operated by Krita Foundation (Stichting Krita, the Netherlands), headquartered in Deventer, Netherlands (Open-source GPL-licensed; supported by donations and Steam revenue). The product launched in 1998 (KOffice Krayon); foundation 2013 and a free open-source digital painting application. This 2026 review covers operator context, the current tier ladder, the feature set that matters for buyers and the live signals to watch before subscribing.

Quick facts

• Operator: Krita Foundation (Stichting Krita, the Netherlands)
• Headquarters: Deventer, Netherlands
• Public-market status: Open-source GPL-licensed; supported by donations and Steam revenue
• Founded: 1998 (KOffice Krayon); foundation 2013
• Category: design tools
• Current tiers: Free download / Steam version / Microsoft Store
• Anchor price (2026): free from krita.org
• Competitive set: competing with Photoshop, Clip Studio Paint and Procreate in digital illustration

What is Krita?

Krita is a free open-source digital painting application. The product is competing with Photoshop, Clip Studio Paint and Procreate in digital illustration. Customers buy a tier that matches their usage profile — the entry tier handles raster painting and digital illustration, while the mid and premium tiers add depth such as brush engine with 100+ presets and animation timeline. Subscription billing happens through the operator's checkout or partner billing surfaces (App Store / Google Play / direct card on file).

Why choose Krita

Operator and market position

Krita Foundation (Stichting Krita, the Netherlands) runs Krita from Deventer, Netherlands. Its public-market status (Open-source GPL-licensed; supported by donations and Steam revenue) and category position (competing with Photoshop, Clip Studio Paint and Procreate in digital illustration) shape the credibility of the operator's roadmap and pricing decisions. Buyers should weigh that operator context alongside headline features — a well-capitalised parent typically translates into faster bug fixes, longer support cycles and more predictable price changes than a smaller indie operator.

Pricing and licence ladder

The Krita tier ladder runs Free download, Steam version, Microsoft Store. Anchor pricing in 2026 starts around free from krita.org for the entry tier and steps up by tier with named feature unlocks. Confirm the live regional price on the operator's site, then cross-check Subger's true-price tracker for Krita for the all-in renewal cost after taxes and FX conversion.

Apps, cross-platform support and customer service

Apps and customer-experience surfaces matter as much as headline feature counts. Krita delivers its core workflow across the platform surfaces listed in the platform table below, with notifications and self-service flows handled in-app. The 2025-2026 differentiator to watch: 2024-2025 Krita 5.2 and ongoing 5.3 development with improved animation tools.

Krita features that matter in 2026

Current feature set that buyers should weigh:

• raster painting and digital illustration
• brush engine with 100+ presets
• animation timeline
• resource manager
• Windows, macOS, Linux and Android (Krita on tablets)
• PSD and OpenEXR support

Feature availability varies by region and tier; the headline list above reflects the operator's primary positioning. Confirm specific regional availability on the operator's marketing pages before committing.

Krita pricing in 2026

The Krita tier ladder in 2026 looks like:

Headline prices step up across the ladder; promotional first-period anchors and regional FX can change the all-in cost. Subger's tools reconcile the list price with the actual renewal cost:

Krita apps and platform support

Surface availability can vary by region and tier; confirm current app availability and supported devices on the operator's site before subscribing.

Who Krita fits

Krita is most likely a good match for the following buyers:

• Digital artists wanting a free professional-grade painting application — the core target audience for the product.
• Category-focused subscribers who specifically want raster painting and digital illustration from competing with Photoshop, Clip Studio Paint and Procreate in digital illustration rather than a generalist platform.
• Tier-comparing households or teams evaluating the Free download → Microsoft Store ladder and willing to pay up for resource manager.
• Cross-device users who need apps across the surfaces in the platform table above.
• Price-sensitive shoppers who want to track promotional anchors via Subger's true-price tracker and deals page before committing to annual billing.

Frequently asked questions

Who runs Krita and where is it based?

Krita is run by Krita Foundation (Stichting Krita, the Netherlands), headquartered in Deventer, Netherlands. The operator's public-market status is: Open-source GPL-licensed; supported by donations and Steam revenue. The product was founded in 1998 (KOffice Krayon); foundation 2013.

How much does Krita cost in 2026?

The 2026 tier ladder is Free download, Steam version, Microsoft Store, with anchor pricing starting around free from krita.org. Regional currency and promotional cycles can shift the all-in cost; Subger's true-price tracker reconciles the headline price with renewal reality.

Is there a free tier or free trial for Krita?

Yes — the Free download tier is positioned as an entry option without an immediate paid commitment.

Where is Krita available?

Availability follows the operator's licensing and service footprint from Deventer, Netherlands. Confirm regional availability on the official site before subscribing.

What 2025-2026 features set Krita apart right now?

The live differentiator to watch: 2024-2025 Krita 5.2 and ongoing 5.3 development with improved animation tools. Pair that with the headline features (raster painting and digital illustration, brush engine with 100+ presets, animation timeline) to judge whether the current roadmap fits your needs.

Which competitors should buyers compare Krita against?

Krita is most directly competing with Photoshop, Clip Studio Paint and Procreate in digital illustration. Run a side-by-side feature and price comparison with those alternatives — Subger's category pages help with the shortlist.

How do I cancel Krita?

Cancel through the account or subscription settings on the surface where you bought the plan: the operator's website for direct subscriptions, the App Store or Google Play for in-app purchases, or the partner billing portal for bundled subscriptions. Subger's cancellation guide for Krita walks through each route step-by-step.

Does Krita offer a team or multi-seat plan?

Multi-user, team or seat structure depends on the tier. Higher tiers commonly add admin controls and SSO; entry tiers can restrict simultaneous usage. Confirm the per-tier seat limit on the live pricing page before committing.

How can I track price changes for Krita?

Subger's renewal tracker for Krita records list-price changes plus promotional anchors over time. Pair it with the deals page for current discount codes and the promo codes page for stackable savings at signup.

Get started with Krita

Confirm the current regional price on the Krita Foundation (Stichting Krita, the Netherlands) signup page, choose the tier that matches your usage (Free download or Steam version are the most common starting points), and check Subger's deals page for Krita for promotional anchors before completing checkout. Track the subscription's true renewal cost with the true-price tracker once you're signed up.

Related Subger guides

• Cancel Krita guide
• Latest Krita deals
• Krita promo codes
• Krita true price and renewal tracker
• Browse the design tools category hub
• All services on Subger