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Head-to-head · Sketching Software

ibisPaint vs Drawpile

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 checks side by side
Higher score ibisPaint #3 in Sketching Software 9.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 4 features Visit ibisPaint
Drawpile #8 in Sketching Software 7.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 4 features Visit Drawpile

ibisPaint leads on 0 checks, Drawpile on 0, and 2 are 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

  • Highest scoreibisPaint · 9.0/10
  • Free planboth

ibisPaint scores higher on our rubric for sketching software: 9.0 against 7.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #8.

ibisPaint is the better fit for illustrators working across mobile and desktop. Drawpile is the better fit for free collaborative sketching with desktop flexibility.

  • ibisPaint fits best

    Illustrators working across mobile and desktop

  • Drawpile fits best

    Free collaborative sketching with desktop flexibility

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Side by side

Feature ibisPaint 9.0/10 Visit ↗ Drawpile 7.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.0 7.9
Ranking #3 in Sketching Software #8 in Sketching Software
Best for Illustrators working across mobile and desktop Free collaborative sketching with desktop flexibility
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free
Starting price $27.99/yr Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop, Mobile Desktop, Mobile, Self-hosted
Platforms Windows, macOS, iOS, Android Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, Android
Features ibisPaint 1/4 · Drawpile 1/4
Pressure sensitivity ✓ ✓
Layer support Not checked yet Not checked yet
Cloud sync Not checked yet Not checked yet
Vector drawing Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Platforms Not checked yet Not checked yet
Export formats Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Custom brushes, layered artwork, and pressure-sensitive stylus controls
  • Stroke stabilization and animation creation tools
  • Cloud sync across mobile and desktop versions
  • Real-time collaborative sessions, with options to use public servers or self-host
  • Over 200 brushes, pressure support, layers and stroke stabilization
  • Animation tools and OpenRaster and PSD export support
Cons
  • The free version includes advertisements and 64MB of cloud storage
  • Premium Membership is needed for 20GB cloud storage and unlimited brush imports
  • CMYK export and custom keyboard shortcuts require the Pro Upgrade
  • Its broad painting toolkit may be more than casual sketching needs
  • iPad and iPhone access is through a browser, not a native app
  • Community and documentation are the listed support channels
Our verdict

ibisPaint is digital painting and illustration software for Windows, Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Android. Its combination of custom brushes, layers, pressure-sensitive input, stabilization, and animation tools suits illustrators who want…

Read the review →

Drawpile is a free, open-source digital painting and drawing application for artists who want offline tools or real-time collaboration. Its solo and shared-canvas features suit individual artists and small groups, while desktop apps and…

Read the review →
  1. ibisPaintSketching Software 9.0Free plan
  2. DrawpileSketching Software 7.9Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • ibisPaint — where it wins

    • Custom brushes, layered artwork, and pressure-sensitive stylus controls
    • Stroke stabilization and animation creation tools
    • Cloud sync across mobile and desktop versions

    Where it doesn't

    • The free version includes advertisements and 64MB of cloud storage
    • Premium Membership is needed for 20GB cloud storage and unlimited brush imports
    • CMYK export and custom keyboard shortcuts require the Pro Upgrade

  • Drawpile — where it wins

    • Real-time collaborative sessions, with options to use public servers or self-host
    • Over 200 brushes, pressure support, layers and stroke stabilization
    • Animation tools and OpenRaster and PSD export support

    Where it doesn't

    • Its broad painting toolkit may be more than casual sketching needs
    • iPad and iPhone access is through a browser, not a native app
    • Community and documentation are the listed support channels

More comparisons

All sketching software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update