Krita vs Animation Desk

Last Updated:

Our analysts compared Krita vs Animation Desk based on data from our 400+ point analysis of Animation Software, user reviews and our own crowdsourced data from our free software selection platform.

Krita Software Tool
Animation Desk Software Tool

Product Basics

Krita is a sophisticated digital painting software that excels in animation tasks, offering a comprehensive suite of tools for artists and animators. It is particularly well-suited for illustrators, concept artists, and animators in industries such as gaming, film, and digital art. Krita's standout features include its intuitive animation timeline, onion skinning, and frame-by-frame raster animation capabilities, which empower users to create intricate animations with ease. The software's customizable interface and extensive brush engine provide a unique advantage for artists seeking flexibility and precision. Users often praise Krita for its robust performance and versatility, noting that it compares favorably to other animation tools in terms of functionality and cost-effectiveness. While Krita is open-source and free to use, users seeking additional support or features may consider contacting SelectHub for a tailored pricing quote. Its combination of powerful features and accessibility makes Krita a compelling choice for creative professionals.
read more...
Animation Desk is a versatile software designed for creating frame-by-frame animations, making it ideal for animators, illustrators, and educators. It caters to industries such as entertainment, education, and digital media, offering a user-friendly interface that simplifies the animation process. Users benefit from its robust features, including onion skinning, frame management, and a variety of drawing tools that enhance creativity and precision. Animation Desk stands out with its ability to export animations in multiple formats, facilitating easy sharing and collaboration. Compared to similar products, users appreciate its intuitive design and comprehensive toolset, which streamline the animation workflow. Pricing details are not explicitly provided, so potential users are encouraged to contact SelectHub for a tailored quote. Overall, Animation Desk is a compelling choice for those seeking a powerful yet accessible animation tool.
read more...
$0 Free, Open-Source
Get a free price quote
Tailored to your specific needs
$4.99 Monthly
Get a free price quote
Tailored to your specific needs
Small 
i
Medium 
i
Large 
i
Small 
i
Medium 
i
Large 
i
Windows
Mac
Linux
Android
Chromebook
Windows
Mac
Linux
Android
Chromebook
Cloud
On-Premise
Mobile
Cloud
On-Premise
Mobile

Product Assistance

Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars
Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars
Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
Forum
Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support
Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
Forum
Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support

Product Insights

  • Cost Efficiency: Krita is open-source and free, making it accessible for artists and animators without the burden of expensive software licenses.
  • Comprehensive Toolset: Offers a wide range of brushes and tools tailored for digital painting and animation, allowing for detailed and intricate artwork.
  • Customizability: Users can create and modify brushes and tools to suit their specific artistic needs, enhancing workflow efficiency.
  • Animation Capabilities: Includes features like onion skinning and frame-by-frame animation, enabling smooth and precise animation creation.
  • Cross-Platform Support: Available on Windows, macOS, and Linux, ensuring flexibility and accessibility across different operating systems.
  • Community Support: A vibrant community of users and developers provides tutorials, plugins, and forums for troubleshooting and skill development.
  • Regular Updates: Frequent updates and improvements driven by community feedback ensure that the software evolves to meet user needs.
  • Resource Management: Efficiently handles large files and complex projects, minimizing lag and maximizing productivity.
  • Intuitive Interface: User-friendly design with customizable layouts helps streamline the creative process for both beginners and experienced artists.
  • Non-Destructive Editing: Layer management and non-destructive editing features allow for flexible adjustments without compromising original artwork.
  • Integration with Other Tools: Supports various file formats and integrates well with other software, facilitating seamless workflow transitions.
  • Educational Resources: Extensive documentation and tutorials available online help users quickly learn and master the software.
  • Professional Quality Output: Capable of producing high-resolution, professional-grade artwork suitable for commercial projects.
  • Open Development Model: Encourages user contributions to the codebase, fostering innovation and rapid problem-solving.
  • Localized Versions: Available in multiple languages, making it accessible to a global audience.
read more...
  • Enhanced Creativity: Animation Desk provides a platform for animators to unleash their creativity with a wide range of tools that mimic traditional animation techniques, allowing for unique and personalized animations.
  • Streamlined Workflow: The software integrates seamlessly with other creative tools, enabling users to import and export files easily, thus optimizing the animation process and reducing time spent on administrative tasks.
  • Intuitive Interface: With a user-friendly interface, Animation Desk allows both beginners and experienced animators to navigate the software effortlessly, focusing more on the creative process rather than technical hurdles.
  • Cost-Effective Solution: Offering a comprehensive set of features at a competitive price, Animation Desk provides an affordable option for individuals and small studios looking to produce high-quality animations without breaking the bank.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility: The software is available on multiple platforms, including iOS, Android, and Windows, ensuring that users can work on their projects anytime, anywhere, without being tied to a single device.
  • Community Support: Animation Desk boasts a vibrant community of users who share tips, tutorials, and feedback, fostering a collaborative environment that enhances learning and skill development.
  • Regular Updates: The development team consistently releases updates that introduce new features and improvements, ensuring that the software remains relevant and up-to-date with industry standards.
  • Educational Resources: Animation Desk offers a wealth of tutorials and guides, making it an excellent tool for educators and students looking to learn and teach animation techniques effectively.
  • Customizable Tools: Users can tailor the animation tools to fit their specific needs, allowing for a personalized workflow that enhances productivity and creativity.
  • High-Quality Output: The software supports high-resolution exports, ensuring that animations maintain their quality across various platforms and media, from social media to professional presentations.
read more...
  • Brush Engines: Krita offers a wide variety of brush engines, such as Pixel, Smudge, and Shape, allowing artists to create diverse textures and effects.
  • Layer Management: With support for multiple layer types, including vector, filter, and group layers, Krita provides robust tools for organizing complex projects.
  • Animation Tools: Krita includes a timeline and onion skinning, enabling animators to create frame-by-frame animations with ease.
  • Color Management: The software supports ICC and OpenColorIO color management, ensuring accurate color representation across different devices.
  • Resource Manager: Users can import, export, and organize brushes, gradients, and other resources, facilitating a customizable workflow.
  • Wrap-around Mode: This feature allows artists to create seamless textures and patterns by painting across the canvas edges.
  • HDR Painting: Krita supports High Dynamic Range (HDR) painting, providing a broader range of colors and luminance levels for digital art.
  • Python Scripting: Advanced users can automate tasks and extend functionality through Python scripting, enhancing productivity.
  • Customizable Interface: The interface can be tailored to individual preferences, with dockers and panels that can be rearranged or hidden.
  • Brush Stabilizers: Krita offers multiple stabilizer options to smooth out brush strokes, aiding artists in achieving precise lines.
  • Vector Tools: The software includes vector drawing tools, allowing for scalable artwork and precise shape manipulation.
  • PSD Support: Krita can open and save PSD files, ensuring compatibility with Adobe Photoshop projects.
  • Open Source: As an open-source application, Krita is free to use and modify, with a community-driven development model.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility: Krita runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux, providing flexibility for users across different operating systems.
  • Instant Preview: This feature accelerates the rendering of large brushes, improving performance on high-resolution canvases.
  • Gamut Mask: Artists can use gamut masks to limit the color palette, aiding in color harmony and consistency.
  • Reference Images: Krita allows users to import reference images directly into the workspace, facilitating easier comparison and inspiration.
  • Advanced Selection Tools: The software includes a variety of selection tools, such as polygonal and magnetic selections, for precise editing.
  • Symmetry Tools: Krita provides symmetry options, including radial and mirror symmetry, to assist in creating balanced designs.
  • Training Resources: A wealth of tutorials and documentation is available, helping users to learn and master the software efficiently.
read more...
  • Intuitive Interface: Designed with a user-friendly layout, Animation Desk allows animators to easily navigate through tools and features, enhancing workflow efficiency.
  • Onion Skinning: This feature enables animators to view multiple frames at once, providing a clear reference for creating smooth transitions between frames.
  • Customizable Brushes: Offers a variety of brush types and the ability to adjust size, opacity, and pressure sensitivity, catering to diverse artistic styles.
  • Frame Management: Users can effortlessly add, duplicate, or delete frames, streamlining the animation process and allowing for precise control over timing.
  • Audio Support: Integrate soundtracks or voiceovers directly into animations, facilitating the synchronization of audio and visual elements.
  • Layering System: Supports multiple layers, enabling complex compositions and the ability to separate elements for easier editing and refinement.
  • Export Options: Animations can be exported in various formats, including GIF, MP4, and PSD, ensuring compatibility with different platforms and software.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility: Available on multiple devices, Animation Desk allows users to work on projects seamlessly across iOS, Android, and Windows platforms.
  • Pressure Sensitivity: Compatible with stylus pens, this feature provides a natural drawing experience by responding to the pressure applied, enhancing line quality and detail.
  • Storyboard Creation: Facilitates the planning stage of animation by allowing users to create and organize storyboards within the app.
  • Color Palette Management: Users can create and save custom color palettes, ensuring consistency and efficiency in color selection throughout the project.
  • Video Import: Import video clips to use as reference or to trace over, aiding in the creation of more accurate animations.
  • Cloud Storage Integration: Offers integration with cloud services, enabling easy backup and access to projects from any location.
  • Community and Support: Access to a community of animators and comprehensive support resources, including tutorials and forums, to assist users in honing their skills.
  • Time-lapse Recording: Capture the animation process in a time-lapse video, providing a unique way to showcase the creation journey.
read more...

Product Ranking

#1

among all
Animation Software

#11

among all
Animation Software

Find out who the leaders are

Analyst Rating Summary

54
56
80
69
80
67
23
28
Show More Show More

Analyst Ratings for Functional Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

Krita
Animation Desk
+ Add Product + Add Product
Animation Creation Asset Management Collaboration Effects And Compositing Platform Capabilities Rendering 80 80 23 67 67 60 69 67 28 74 81 75 0 25 50 75 100
81%
6%
13%
69%
0%
31%
67%
33%
0%
67%
0%
33%
0%
33%
67%
33%
0%
67%
60%
0%
40%
80%
0%
20%
71%
0%
29%
86%
0%
14%
50%
25%
25%
75%
0%
25%

Analyst Ratings for Technical Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

57%
29%
14%
71%
0%
29%
0%
0%
100%
20%
20%
60%

Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

Open-Source and Free: Krita is a completely free and open-source program, which makes it a cost-effective choice for businesses and individuals alike.
Brush Selection: Krita boasts a wide variety of brushes, allowing for flexibility and control in artistic creations, from mimicking traditional mediums to achieving unique digital effects.
Animation Tools: Krita offers a dedicated animation workspace with features like onion skinning, timelines, and audio import, making it suitable for creating animated content.
Show more
User-Friendly Interface: Animation Desk is praised for its intuitive design, making it easy for both beginners and experienced animators to learn and use.
Comprehensive Free Tools: The software offers a wide range of tools for free, allowing users to create high-quality animations without any cost.
High-Quality Animations: Animation Desk is capable of producing professional-grade animations, even with its free version.
Suitable for Various Skill Levels: The software caters to both novice and experienced animators, providing a user-friendly experience for all.
Show more
Software Stability: Krita may crash, especially when working with animation curves, even on powerful computers.
Limited Animation Tools: Krita's animation features, while suitable for simple projects, are not as advanced as those found in paid software, potentially limiting professional users.
Sound Integration Challenges: Krita has limited sound integration, making tasks like lip-syncing difficult as it requires using external audio editing software.
Show more
Occasional Performance Issues: Some users have reported experiencing occasional glitches and crashes, which can disrupt workflow and lead to lost progress.
Show more

Is Krita a critical hit or does it miss the mark? User reviews from the past year reveal a mixed bag. While many praise Krita as a free and capable alternative to paid software like Photoshop, some find its limitations too significant to ignore. Krita's strengths lie in its intuitive interface, extensive brush customization options, and strong performance, even on less powerful devices. Users specifically highlight the ease of creating GIFs and editing creatives for small design projects. However, the software's weaknesses, such as occasional bugs, crashes when handling large files, and a somewhat dated interface, have led some users to switch to paid alternatives. Krita's differentiating factor is undoubtedly its price point: it's completely free and open-source. This makes it an attractive option for hobbyists, students, and anyone on a budget. However, its animation capabilities, while praised for their user-friendliness, are often considered basic compared to industry-standard software. Ultimately, Krita is best-suited for beginners and intermediate users who prioritize a free and feature-rich digital art program over advanced functionalities and professional-grade stability.

Show more

Is Animation Desk truly the drawing board for budding animators? User reviews from the past year suggest it's a solid starting point, but like an unfinished animation, it has some rough edges. Users consistently praise Animation Desk's user-friendly interface and comprehensive tutorials, making it a breeze for beginners to grasp the fundamentals of animation. The software's intuitive design, akin to a digital flipbook, allows even those with no prior experience to dive right in and start creating. This ease of use is a major differentiating factor, as many competing animation software can be overwhelming for newcomers. However, some users have reported occasional slow loading times and crashes, which can be frustrating, especially when working on complex projects. While the free version is lauded for its accessibility and ample tools for simple animations, the paid version, offering advanced features, feels a tad pricey for some users compared to competitors like Vyond, which offers a more robust feature set at a similar price point. In conclusion, Animation Desk is best suited for aspiring animators and hobbyists who are taking their first steps into the world of animation. Its intuitive interface, coupled with helpful tutorials, provides a welcoming environment for learning the ropes. However, professionals or those seeking advanced features might find the paid version's value proposition less appealing compared to other industry-standard software options.

Show more

Screenshots

we're gathering data
we're gathering data

Top Alternatives in Animation Software


Adobe Animate

Animaker

Animation Desk

Cartoon Animator

Dragonframe

iClone

Linearity Move

LottieFiles

Moho

MotionBuilder

OpenToonz

Pencil2D

Powtoon

Synfig Studio

Toon Boom Harmony

WE DISTILL IT INTO REAL REQUIREMENTS, COMPARISON REPORTS, PRICE GUIDES and more...

Compare products
Comparison Report
Just drag this link to the bookmark bar.
?
Table settings