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Head-to-head · Digital Painting Software

ibisPaint vs Sketchbook

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score ibisPaint #5 in Digital Painting Software 8.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit ibisPaint
Sketchbook #8 in Digital Painting Software 8.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit Sketchbook

ibisPaint leads on 0 checks, Sketchbook on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreibisPaint · 8.9/10
  • Free planboth

ibisPaint scores higher on our rubric for digital painting software: 8.9 against 8.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #5 and #8.

ibisPaint is the better fit for free cross-platform painting with advanced color tools. Sketchbook is the better fit for accessible sketching across desktop and mobile.

  • ibisPaint fits best

    Free cross-platform painting with advanced color tools

  • Sketchbook fits best

    Accessible sketching across desktop and mobile

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Side by side

Feature ibisPaint 8.9/10 Visit ↗ Sketchbook 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.9 8.6
Ranking #5 in Digital Painting Software #8 in Digital Painting Software
Best for Free cross-platform painting with advanced color tools Accessible sketching across desktop and mobile
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price $27.99/yr —
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop, Mobile Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Windows, macOS, iOS, Android Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
Features ibisPaint 4/4 · Sketchbook 4/4
Brush customization ✓ ✓
Layer support ✓ ✓
Pressure sensitivity ✓ ✓
Stroke stabilization ✓ ✓
Specs
Supported platforms windows, macos, ios, android windows, macos, ios, android
Color management Advanced Advanced
Our review
Pros
  • Custom brushes, pressure curves, and brush-specific stroke stabilization
  • Advanced CMYK export with color profiles and rendering controls
  • Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android support with cloud synchronization
  • Free mobile application with core drawing tools
  • Customizable brushes, layers, masking, and blend modes
  • Available on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android
Cons
  • The free mobile version includes advertisements
  • Free cloud storage is limited to 64MB
  • Some desktop features require separate paid upgrades
  • Advanced features are divided across paid offerings
  • Flipbook 2D animation is available on desktop
  • Feature availability varies by platform and app version
Our verdict

ibisPaint is digital painting and illustration software for artists working across Windows, Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Android. It is suited to users who want customizable brushes, layered artwork, pressure-sensitive stylus input,…

Read the review →

Sketchbook is digital drawing, painting, and sketching software for artists, illustrators, and hobbyists. Its broad platform coverage supports Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android, making it suitable for users who move between desktop and…

Read the review →
  1. ibisPaintDigital Painting Software 8.9Free plan
  2. SketchbookDigital Painting Software 8.6Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • ibisPaint — where it wins

    • Custom brushes, pressure curves, and brush-specific stroke stabilization
    • Advanced CMYK export with color profiles and rendering controls
    • Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android support with cloud synchronization

    Where it doesn't

    • The free mobile version includes advertisements
    • Free cloud storage is limited to 64MB
    • Some desktop features require separate paid upgrades
  • Sketchbook — where it wins

    • Free mobile application with core drawing tools
    • Customizable brushes, layers, masking, and blend modes
    • Available on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android

    Where it doesn't

    • Advanced features are divided across paid offerings
    • Flipbook 2D animation is available on desktop
    • Feature availability varies by platform and app version

More comparisons

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update