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Head-to-head · Pixel Art Software

Pixelorama vs Pixen

  • 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
Pixen #21 in Pixel Art Software 7.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 5 features Visit Pixen

Pixelorama leads on 0 checks, Pixen 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 7.1 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #21.

Pixelorama is the better fit for free, open-source pixel art across many platforms. Pixen is the better fit for mac and iOS pixel-art workflows.

  • Pixelorama fits best

    Free, open-source pixel art across many platforms

  • Pixen fits best

    Mac and iOS pixel-art workflows

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Side by side

Feature Pixelorama 9.4/10 Visit ↗ Pixen 7.1/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 7.1
Ranking #1 in Pixel Art Software #21 in Pixel Art Software
Best for Free, open-source pixel art across many platforms Mac and iOS pixel-art workflows
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 macOS, iOS
Support Docs Docs
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market Solo, Small business
Features Pixelorama 5/5 · Pixen 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 macOS, iOS
Export formats PNG, animated PNG, spritesheets, GIF, video PNG, JPEG, GIF, ICO, BMP, TIFF, SVG, PSD, APNG, MP4, MOV, sprite sheets
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
  • Animation tools include onion skinning, filmstrip view, and broad exports
  • Layers, palettes, grids, patterns, and pixel-perfect drawing support detailed work
  • iCloud synchronization connects projects across macOS and iOS
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
  • Designed for macOS and iOS rather than broader platform coverage
  • The Pro plan is required to unlock all features and file types
  • It does not include AI features
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 →

Pixen is a native pixel-art and animation editor for macOS and iOS. It is aimed at artists creating low-resolution raster artwork, game sprites, animated frames, palettes, and spritesheets. Its toolset covers drawing and selection, layers,…

Read the review →
  1. PixeloramaPixel Art Software 9.4Free plan
  2. PixenPixel Art Software 7.1Free 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

  • Pixen — where it wins

    • Animation tools include onion skinning, filmstrip view, and broad exports
    • Layers, palettes, grids, patterns, and pixel-perfect drawing support detailed work
    • iCloud synchronization connects projects across macOS and iOS

    Where it doesn't

    • Designed for macOS and iOS rather than broader platform coverage
    • The Pro plan is required to unlock all features and file types
    • It does not include AI features

Pixelorama vs Pixen: questions

Which is better for pixel art software, Pixelorama or Pixen?

Pixelorama scores higher on our rubric for pixel art software: 9.4 against 7.1 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #21.

How do Pixelorama and Pixen compare?

All 6 checks we put side by side come out level: neither leads on any.

Do Pixelorama and Pixen have a free plan?

Pixelorama: Yes. Pixen: Yes.

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