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Head-to-head · Photoshop Alternatives for Mac

Clip Studio Paint vs MyPaint

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 checks side by side
Clip Studio Paint #5 in Photoshop Alternatives for Mac 7.9/10 Paid ✓ 0 of 6 features Visit site
MyPaint #7 in Photoshop Alternatives for Mac 7.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 6 features Visit MyPaint

Clip Studio Paint leads on 0 checks, MyPaint on 1, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 2 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Free planonly MyPaint
  • Most featuresMyPaint · 1 of 6

Clip Studio Paint and MyPaint score identically on our rubric (7.9 out of 10) for photoshop alternatives for mac; Clip Studio Paint sits at #5 and MyPaint at #7 in our editorial ranking, so the choice comes down to fit.

MyPaint offers free plan; Clip Studio Paint doesn't.

Clip Studio Paint is the better fit for illustrators and comic artists using Mac. MyPaint is the better fit for free digital painting with tablet brush controls.

  • Clip Studio Paint fits best

    Illustrators and comic artists using Mac

  • MyPaint fits best

    Free digital painting with tablet brush controls

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Side by side

Feature Clip Studio Paint 7.9/10 Visit ↗ MyPaint 7.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 7.9 7.9
Ranking #5 in Photoshop Alternatives for Mac #7 in Photoshop Alternatives for Mac
Best for Illustrators and comic artists using Mac Free digital painting with tablet brush controls
Pricing model Paid Free
Starting price $0.99/mo Free plan
Free plan — ✓ (best)
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Desktop, Mobile Desktop
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android Linux, macOS, Windows
Features Clip Studio Paint 0/6 · MyPaint 1/6
Layer support Not checked yet ✓ (best)
RAW processing Not checked yet Not checked yet
PSD compatibility Not checked yet Not checked yet
Non-destructive editing Not checked yet Not checked yet
Plugin support Not checked yet Not checked yet
iPad version Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Maximum color depth Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Combines raster and vector drawing with customizable brushes and editable vector linework.
  • Comic tools include paneling, speech balloons, tones, and multi-page projects.
  • The EX plan adds multi-page management and full-length 2D animation features.
  • Customizable brushes include traditional-media presets and editable settings.
  • Supports layers, layer groups, opacity, locking, duplication, and merging.
  • Tablet pressure, symmetry, and stroke stabilization support expressive drawing.
Cons
  • Its core focus is illustration and comics rather than general photo editing.
  • The $0.99 monthly starting price applies to the PRO plan, not every edition.
  • Perpetual licenses are limited to Windows and macOS and cover Version 5.0.
  • Its focus is digital painting rather than general photo editing.
  • Color management is basic.
  • Its tools are geared toward drawing and painting workflows, not broad image work.
Our verdict

Clip Studio Paint is digital art software for illustrators, comic and manga artists, concept artists, designers, and animators. On Mac, it offers raster and vector drawing, customizable brushes, editable vector linework, layers, masks, 3D…

Read the review →

MyPaint is a free, open-source raster painting application for digital painters and sketch artists. It runs on macOS as well as Linux and Windows, and its feature set is aimed at creating artwork rather than handling a broad range of…

Read the review →
  1. Clip Studio PaintPhotoshop Alternatives for Mac 7.9Paid
  2. MyPaintPhotoshop Alternatives for Mac 7.9Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Clip Studio Paint — where it wins

    • Combines raster and vector drawing with customizable brushes and editable vector linework.
    • Comic tools include paneling, speech balloons, tones, and multi-page projects.
    • The EX plan adds multi-page management and full-length 2D animation features.

    Where it doesn't

    • Its core focus is illustration and comics rather than general photo editing.
    • The $0.99 monthly starting price applies to the PRO plan, not every edition.
    • Perpetual licenses are limited to Windows and macOS and cover Version 5.0.

  • MyPaint — where it wins

    • Customizable brushes include traditional-media presets and editable settings.
    • Supports layers, layer groups, opacity, locking, duplication, and merging.
    • Tablet pressure, symmetry, and stroke stabilization support expressive drawing.

    Where it doesn't

    • Its focus is digital painting rather than general photo editing.
    • Color management is basic.
    • Its tools are geared toward drawing and painting workflows, not broad image work.
  • Clip Studio Paint7.9/10 · Paid

    A Mac-capable drawing suite built around illustration, comics, and animation.

    Visit siteFull verdict →
  • MyPaint7.9/10 · Free plan

    A capable free painting tool for Mac, but not a general-purpose Photoshop replacement.

    Visit MyPaintFull verdict →

More comparisons

All photoshop alternatives for mac comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update