Artweaver review
A capable free starting point for non-commercial digital painting on Windows and macOS.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Artweaver is digital painting and image-editing software from Besware for beginners and advanced users. It is aimed at artists who want customizable brushes, realistic predefined brush behavior, layers, selections, filters, plugins, and pressure-sensitive pen-tablet support. The software runs on Windows and macOS, including Intel and Apple Silicon Macs. Artweaver Free provides a no-cost starting point for non-commercial and academic work, while Artweaver Plus is intended for users who need commercial-use rights and additional capabilities.
Its strongest area is the breadth of painting and canvas tools available in a relatively focused application. The brush engine supports customization and brush creation, while stroke smoothing, free canvas rotation, and mirror painting support different working styles. Layer groups, blend modes, transparency, gradients, crop, fill, selections, and effect filters extend the software beyond basic brushwork. Event recording and playback can capture painting processes, and plugin support adds another route for extending the workflow. Broad file support, including PSD, PNG, TIFF, WebP, SVG, and AWD, also helps when moving work between applications.
The plan structure keeps the entry point straightforward: Artweaver Free is free of charge for non-commercial and academic purposes, and Artweaver Plus adds advanced features, commercial use, expanded format support, interface customization, and a perpetual license without a subscription. Artweaver is a sensible choice for Windows or macOS users seeking free basic painting with layers, pressure sensitivity, and flexible brushes. Artists working commercially should select Plus, while users who require platforms beyond Windows and macOS or a broader software ecosystem should consider an alternative.
Artweaver pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Free plan includes brushes, layers, pressure support, filters, and mirroring.
- Customizable brush engine supports brush creation and stroke smoothing.
- Supports PSD, PNG, TIFF, WebP, SVG, AWD, and other formats.
- Where it doesn't
- Artweaver Free is limited to non-commercial and academic purposes.
- Commercial use and advanced features require the Plus perpetual license.
- Support is limited to Windows and macOS versions.
Artweaver fact sheet, pricing and score →
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