ZIDE
ZIDE: A free, cross-platform sprite editor with animation playback and practical export tools. Ranked #58 of 70 in Pixel Art Software by our editors (5.5/10); pricing: Free plan; best for free open-source desktop sprite editing.
At a glance
- Editor score5.5 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forFree open-source desktop sprite editing
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- Animation timelineYes
- Facts checked20 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Free and open source under the MIT License
- Animation frames with playback and sprite-sheet export
- Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux
Where it doesn't
- Users are directed to build it from source
- No verified onion-skinning support
- No verified tilemap tools
Our verdict on ZIDE
ZIDE is a free, open-source desktop pixel art editor for artists creating sprites and frame-based animations. It runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it suitable for users who want a cross-platform editor without a paid plan. The core workspace includes pixel drawing, fill, erase, undo, redo, canvas panning, and zooming. ZIDE is implemented as a Tauri desktop application and distributed under the MIT License, which also suits developers and artists who prefer an open-source tool.
For sprite and animation work, ZIDE covers the central production steps in a compact feature set. Artists can create multiple animation frames and play them back, then export sprite sheets or PNG images for use elsewhere. GIMP palette files in .gpl format can be imported, adding a practical route for users who already maintain indexed-color palettes. These capabilities make ZIDE more focused on drawing, frame-based animation, and asset export than on broader game-development workflows.
The main trade-off is distribution and workflow depth. The repository has no published GitHub releases, and users are directed to build the application from source using Node.js, Rust, Cargo, and the Tauri CLI. That setup is better suited to technically comfortable users than to artists seeking a conventional installer. ZIDE should appeal to creators who value free, open-source desktop software and need straightforward sprite editing across major desktop platforms. Users who depend on onion skinning or tilemap tools should choose a product that explicitly includes those capabilities.
Your product? Our editors can test ZIDE in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
ZIDE pricing
ZIDE fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Animation timeline | Yes |
| Indexed color tools | Yes |
| Sprite-sheet export | Yes |
| Onion skinning | Not verified |
| Tilemap tools | Not verified |
| Supported platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Export formats | PNG |
| Deployment | Desktop |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Built for | Solo, Small business (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | github.com |
| Facts checked | 20 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to ZIDE
- 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
Used ZIDE? 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 ZIDE 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
ZIDE 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/zide/"><img src="https://www.itechguides.com/best/badge/zide.svg" alt="Featured on iTechGuides" width="230" height="46"></a>
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. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
Last updated · How we research and update