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Head-to-head · Pixel Art Software

Pixelorama vs Pixel Studio

  • Updated Nov 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score Pixelorama #1 in Pixel Art Software 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 5 features Visit Pixelorama
Pixel Studio #11 in Pixel Art Software 8.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 5 features Visit Pixel Studio

Pixelorama leads on 0 checks, Pixel Studio on 0, and 6 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scorePixelorama · 9.4/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresPixelorama · 5 of 5

Pixelorama scores higher on our rubric for pixel art software: 9.4 against 8.2 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #11.

Pixelorama is the better fit for free, open-source pixel art across many platforms. Pixel Studio is the better fit for free pixel art across desktop and mobile.

  • Pixelorama fits best

    Free, open-source pixel art across many platforms

  • Pixel Studio fits best

    Free pixel art across desktop and mobile

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Side by side

Feature Pixelorama 9.4/10 Visit ↗ Pixel Studio 8.2/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 8.2
Ranking #1 in Pixel Art Software #11 in Pixel Art Software
Best for Free, open-source pixel art across many platforms Free pixel art across desktop and mobile
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price — —
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop, Mobile Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, Android Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
Support Docs Email, Community, Docs, Tickets
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market Solo, Small business
Features Pixelorama 5/5 · Pixel Studio 4/5
Animation timeline ✓ ✓
Indexed color tools ✓ ✓
Sprite-sheet export ✓ ✓
Onion skinning ✓ ✓
Tilemap tools ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Specs
Supported platforms Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, Web Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
Export formats PNG, animated PNG, spritesheets, GIF, video PNG, JPG, GIF, BMP, TGA, PSP, PSD, EXR, AI, EPS, HEIC, PDF, SVG, WEBP
Our review
Pros
  • Free and open-source across Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, and web
  • Animation, tilemap, palette, onion-skinning, and indexed-color tools
  • Non-destructive effects, clipping masks, video export, and CLI automation
  • Free editing with layers, animation, onion skinning, and autosave
  • Works across Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android
  • Exports GIFs and sprite sheets with broad format support
Cons
  • The Steam edition is limited to Windows and Linux
  • Steam Cloud, Achievements, and automatic updates require the Steam edition
  • Paid Steam access adds platform benefits rather than listed editing features
  • Ads are removed only with the PRO purchase
  • PRO pricing varies by region and storefront
  • Tile mode is included, but dedicated tilemap workflows may be limited
Our verdict

Pixelorama is an open-source pixel art editor for creating sprites, tiles, and frame-based animations. It is suited to artists, game developers, and hobbyists who want a free workflow across desktop, browser, and Android platforms. Its…

Read the review →

Pixel Studio is a pixel art editor for artists and game developers, with a free version for creating layered artwork, animations, sprites, and tiles. It runs on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android, making it suitable for solo creators and…

Read the review →
  1. PixeloramaPixel Art Software 9.4Free plan
  2. Pixel StudioPixel Art Software 8.2Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Pixelorama — where it wins

    • Free and open-source across Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, and web
    • Animation, tilemap, palette, onion-skinning, and indexed-color tools
    • Non-destructive effects, clipping masks, video export, and CLI automation

    Where it doesn't

    • The Steam edition is limited to Windows and Linux
    • Steam Cloud, Achievements, and automatic updates require the Steam edition
    • Paid Steam access adds platform benefits rather than listed editing features

  • Pixel Studio — where it wins

    • Free editing with layers, animation, onion skinning, and autosave
    • Works across Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android
    • Exports GIFs and sprite sheets with broad format support

    Where it doesn't

    • Ads are removed only with the PRO purchase
    • PRO pricing varies by region and storefront
    • Tile mode is included, but dedicated tilemap workflows may be limited

More comparisons

All pixel art software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Nov 2026

Last updated · How we research and update