Pix2D vs GameTools

Pix2D9.1Visit GameTools7.6Visit

Higher score Pix2D #3 in Pixel Art Software 9.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 5 features Visit Pix2D

vs

GameTools #16 in Pixel Art Software 7.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 5 features Visit GameTools

• Pix2D fits best

  Open-source cross-platform artists

• GameTools fits best

  Browser-based game-art pipelines

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Side by side

Feature	Pix2D 9.1/10 Visit ↗	GameTools 7.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.1	7.6
Ranking	#3 in Pixel Art Software	#16 in Pixel Art Software
Best for	Open-source cross-platform artists	Browser-based game-art pipelines
Pricing model	Free	Free plan + paid
Starting price	Free plan	$9.99/mo
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Cloud, Desktop, Mobile	Cloud
Platforms	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, Android	Web
Support	Community, Docs	Email, Community
Built for	Solo, Small business	Solo, Small business
Features Pix2D 3/5 · GameTools 4/5
Animation timeline	✓	✓
Indexed color tools	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Sprite-sheet export	✓	✓
Onion skinning	✓	✓
Tilemap tools	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Specs
Supported platforms	web, Windows, macOS, Linux, Android	web
Export formats	PNG, JPG, SVG, GIF, sprite sheet PNG + JSON, Aseprite JSON, Godot .tres, Unity .png.meta, libGDX .atlas, .pix2d	PNG, JPEG, WebP, TexturePacker JSON, Starling XML, Cocos2d Plist, Phaser/PixiJS JSON, Unity META, Godot TRES, Spine Atlas, GameMaker JSON, Aseprite JSON, Piskel, Tiled TMX, Tiled JSON, LDtk, Ogmo
Our review
Pros	Animation timeline with onion skinning and sprite-sheet export Runs on web, Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android Layers, palettes, artboards, grids, and blend modes in one editor	Free plan covers sprites, atlases, hitboxes, tilemaps, audio, and shaders Exports formats for Unity, Godot, Phaser, Tiled, LDtk, and other tools Premium adds persistence, timeline tools, dockable panels, and cloud sync
Cons	Support is centered on community channels and documentation Native project files use the .pix2d format Command-line batch export is optional rather than central	Web-only deployment depends on a modern browser workflow Edit persistence and animation timeline require the Premium plan The broad feature set may exceed the needs of simple pixel-art projects
Our verdict	Pix2D is a free, open-source graphics editor for pixel art, game sprites, and animation. It suits solo artists and small teams that want one workspace across web, Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android. The toolset covers pixel-perfect drawing… Read the review →	GameTools is a browser-based toolkit for pixel artists and indie game developers building 2D game content. Its workspace combines frame-based pixel art and sprite-sheet editing with layers, drawing and selection tools, animation previews,… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Pix2D — where it wins

  • Animation timeline with onion skinning and sprite-sheet export
  • Runs on web, Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android
  • Layers, palettes, artboards, grids, and blend modes in one editor

  Where it doesn't

  • Support is centered on community channels and documentation
  • Native project files use the .pix2d format
  • Command-line batch export is optional rather than central

• GameTools — where it wins

  • Free plan covers sprites, atlases, hitboxes, tilemaps, audio, and shaders
  • Exports formats for Unity, Godot, Phaser, Tiled, LDtk, and other tools
  • Premium adds persistence, timeline tools, dockable panels, and cloud sync

  Where it doesn't

  • Web-only deployment depends on a modern browser workflow
  • Edit persistence and animation timeline require the Premium plan
  • The broad feature set may exceed the needs of simple pixel-art projects

• Pix2D9.1/10 · Free plan

  A capable free pixel art editor for artists working across web, desktop, and Android.

  Visit Pix2DFull verdict →
• GameTools7.6/10 · Free plan

  A broad browser toolkit for pixel art, animation, level design, and game-ready exports.

  Visit GameToolsFull verdict →