Tesserra
Tesserra: A low-cost pixel editor with animation, exports, and four-platform coverage. Ranked #15 of 70 in Pixel Art Software by our editors (7.7/10); pricing: Free plan; best for low-cost multi-platform animation.
At a glance
- Editor score7.7 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forLow-cost multi-platform animation
- Free planYes
- Animation timelineYes
- Facts checked22 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- One-time $7 full license during beta
- Animation timeline, onion skinning, and sprite-sheet export
- Runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android
Where it doesn't
- Tesserra Lite is a limited free demo
- The product is currently in beta
- Support is provided through email
Our verdict on Tesserra
Tesserra is a retro-inspired pixel art editor for solo creators and small teams working across desktop and mobile. It supports Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android, with tools for pixel drawing, painting, shapes, fills, erasing, custom brushes, layers, palettes, tiling, image import, animation, onion skinning, shaders, and multiple export formats. Its platform coverage makes it a practical fit for creators who want one pixel art tool across several operating systems.
The pricing structure is straightforward. Tesserra Lite is free and provides core drawing plus PNG export. Tesserra Full costs $7 as a one-time license during beta and adds animation, sprite-sheet and GIF export, custom palette import, cloud synchronization, and advanced editing tools. The full version also supports PNG, SVG, and ASE export, while the product includes built-in and imported color palettes, layer groups, blend modes, custom brush modes, and a frame-based animation timeline. Buyers focused on animated sprites will get more from the full license than from Lite.
Tesserra’s ecosystem is centered on downloadable software rather than a browser workflow. Cloud synchronization works through Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, and Nextcloud, giving users several supported storage options across its desktop and Android deployments. The product is currently in beta, and Tesserra Lite is described as a limited demo, so creators seeking a more established release may prefer an alternative. Tesserra suits solo artists and small teams that prioritize low upfront cost, animation tools, and broad platform coverage; it is less suitable for organizations looking for larger-team positioning or support beyond email.
Your product? Our editors can test Tesserra in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $99/mo →
Tesserra pricing
All 2 Tesserra plans and prices →
Tesserra fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Not verified |
| Animation timeline | Yes |
| Indexed color tools | Yes |
| Sprite-sheet export | Yes |
| Onion skinning | Yes |
| Tilemap tools | Not verified |
| Supported platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android |
| Export formats | GIF, PNG, SVG, ASE |
| Deployment | Desktop, Mobile |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android |
| Support | |
| Built for | Solo, Small business (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 4 integrations: Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, Nextcloud |
| Pricing | Free plan (source) |
| Website | tesserra.itch.io |
| Facts checked | 22 Sep 2026 |
Tesserra integrations
Tesserra lists 4 integrations on its own site.
- Google Drive
- OneDrive
- Dropbox
- Nextcloud
Alternatives to Tesserra
- PixeloramaA capable free pixel art editor with broad platform support and automation tools.9.4
- PixelWallA capable free pixel-art editor with broad platform support and $15 Pro exports.9.3
- Pix2DA capable free pixel art editor for artists working across web, desktop, and Android.9.1
See all Tesserra alternatives →
Used Tesserra? Be the first to review it
The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used Tesserra for, what worked and what didn't. No stars are seeded and no review is paid for; an editor reads every one before it appears.
Write a reviewTwo minutes · verified accounts only · read by an editor before it appears
Featured on iTechGuides
Tesserra is listed in our Pixel Art Software directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.
<a href="https://www.itechguides.com/products/tesserra/"><img src="https://www.itechguides.com/best/badge/tesserra.svg" alt="Featured on iTechGuides" width="230" height="46"></a>
Guides on pixel art software
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.
Last updated · How we research and update