Best Drawing Apps for Android. For those in search of a top-notch drawing application for iPad, we suggest Sketchbook due to its advanced design tools, comprehensive layering system, animation features, and excellent accessibility options.
However, if Procreate doesn’t meet your artistic requirements, we have discovered nine alternative drawing apps that can assist you in elevating your artwork. Here are the top 10 drawing apps for iPad.
When choosing the top 10 drawing apps for iPad, we focused on apps that provide essential features for artists to customize their workspace and produce top-notch drawings and animations. The ideal drawing apps should support cloud sharing, Apple Pencil compatibility, various mediums, text and image insertion, and animation creation.
Most apps in our selection offer free versions or trials for users to explore their main functions. We suggest trying out multiple apps and checking user feedback to discover the perfect drawing app for your preferences.
The Apple Pencil enhances drawing app capabilities with features like tilt and pressure detection, improved accuracy, and minimal lag. Many apps on our list, such as our favorite Procreate, are optimized for use with the Apple Pencil. For superior artwork, we recommend using an Apple Pencil or a similar stylus.
Drawing Apps Compared: Features & Benefits for 2025
| App Name | Key Features | Price/Trial | Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sketchbook | Intuitive interface, customizable brushes, extensive layer management | Free trial: Yes | 4.5 ★★★★☆ (Green) |
| Infinite Painter | Infinite layers, customizable brushes, smudge tools | Free trial: Yes | 4.0 ★★★★☆ (Green) |
| Concepts | Vector-based drawing, infinite canvas, customizable brushes | Free trial: Yes | 4.3 ★★★★☆ (Green) |
| Clip Studio Paint | Advanced comic creation tools, 3D object integration, extensive brush options | Free trial: Yes | 4.6 ★★★★★ (Green) |
| Ibis Paint X | Wide variety of brushes, easy-to-use interface, supports layers | Free trial: Yes | 4.5 ★★★★☆ (Green) |
| Krita | Open-source, extensive brush engine, animation support | Free trial: Yes | 4.7 ★★★★★ (Green) |
| Medibang Paint | Comic creation tools, cloud features, large selection of fonts | Free: Yes | 4.2 ★★★★☆ (Green) |
| ArtFlow | User-friendly interface, pressure-sensitive brushes, layer support | Free trial: Yes | 4.1 ★★★★☆ (Green) |
This table summarizes the key features, pricing information including free trials, and ratings for each of the listed drawing apps.
What is Best Drawing Apps for Android.
Here are my top picks for the Best Drawing Apps for Android Phones to use for your personal and professional needs. advanced design tools, comprehensive layering system, animation features, and excellent accessibility options.
1. Sketchbook.
Sketchbook stands out as the sole drawing app in our lineup that provides all its tools and features completely free of charge. While Sketchbook Pro for desktop comes with a price tag of $19.99, the mobile version offers users a diverse selection of realistic brushes, pencils, airbrushes, and other design tools at no cost.
Each brush is highly customizable, and additional tools such as rulers, guides, and stroke tools are available for enhanced precision while drawing. Moreover, Sketchbook boasts an advanced layering system with numerous blend modes for added flexibility, and its interface is specifically designed for sketching to ensure you can concentrate on your artwork without any distractions.
Key Features:
- Free option offered.
- No subscription required.
- Assistance provided through Help Center.
Pros:
- Enjoy all the features and tools without any cost.
- All brushes can be personalized to your liking.
- Experience a sleek and clutter-free interface.
- 100% free.
Cons:
- Color blending features are missing.
- Animation is not supported on mobile devices.
2. Infinite Painter.
For those seeking a drawing app with a comparable experience to Procreate on iPad, Infinite Painter is worth exploring. With a variety of tools and textured brushes that mimic traditional media, it is highly recommended for Android users who enjoy painting.
Pros:
- Diverse selection of brushes available.
- State-of-the-art brush engine for personalized brush creation.
- Utilize gradient maps for coloring.
- Fill areas with the lasso fill tool.
- Easily navigate with touch gestures.
- Record time-lapse videos of your work.
- Realistic brush interactions with paper textures.
- Compatibility with PSD files.
- Work on high-resolution canvases.
- $10, includes a 7-day free trial with full access.
Cons:
- Absence of keyboard shortcuts is not necessary for this application.
3. Concepts.
Concepts is an exceptional drawing application suitable for artists of all expertise levels. It especially caters to professionals who require concept art creation, plan drawing, or taking meticulous notes, which is an exclusive feature of this app.
With Concepts, you can enjoy the benefits of infinite canvas sketchbooks that offer various paper types and grids. The app also provides a customizable tool wheel, ensuring quick access to your favorite tools at all times. Moreover, Concepts offers a wide range of realistic pens, pencils, and brushes that respond to tilt, pressure, and velocity.
Additionally, you have the convenience of dragging and dropping images or PDFs directly onto your canvas for editing purposes. Furthermore, Concepts allows you to create, store, and share vector object libraries that are synchronized across multiple devices.
Key Features:
- Get started for free!
- Subscription options: All-inclusive: $4.99 per month or $29.99 per year.
- Access our support through Help Center, Manual, FAQ, Articles & Tutorials.
Pros:
- Ideal for producing high-quality concept art.
- Comes with handy note-taking capabilities.
- Offers a customizable tool wheel for enhanced user experience.
Cons:
- Animation is not supported.
4. Clip Studio Paint.
Clip Studio Paint offers a wide range of features and has rapidly gained popularity as a viable alternative to Adobe’s Photoshop for PC users. With its reasonable pricing for such a sophisticated software, it is an excellent choice for both comic artists and animators.
Tablet users can also enjoy the full suite of features. Its versatility shines through with support for touch gestures, keyboard compatibility, and a convenient companion mode for synced smartphones.
Key Features:
You can enjoy 1 hour of free usage every day, or you have the option to subscribe to the Ex Plan for $2.50 per month or the Pro Plan for $1 per month.
As a bonus, first-time purchasers can avail a 3-month discount. If you own a Galaxy device, you can sign up through the Galaxy Store and receive a complimentary 6-month trial of all the features.
However, if you are a tablet user who intends to use a pressure pen, please note that you will need to purchase a separate plan that is not included in the Smartphone Plan.
Pros:
- Powerful tools for creating comic layouts and panels.
- Advanced pressure and tilt recognition for precise drawing.
- Access to a vast online asset library.
- Convenient perspective tools for realistic artwork.
- Multiple layers and blend modes for added depth.
- Support for touch gestures and keyboard shortcuts.
- Seamless cross-platform cloud storage.
- Animation capabilities to bring your comics to life.
- Enjoy S Pen air actions support for enhanced creativity.
- Pair your phone with a tablet or PC using the companion mode.
Cons:
The interface can appear overwhelming to beginners, but rest assured, there are numerous official tutorials available to assist you, along with a vibrant community constantly contributing their own resources.
5. Ibis Paint X.
Ibis Paint, similar to MediBang, caters to manga and anime artists. However, it tends to have more advertisements. The tablet and phone versions are quite similar, with the only difference being that the side toolbar is hidden in the phone app.
Key Features:
Enjoy an ad-supported experience for free. Alternatively, you can opt for the remove ads add-on for just $10. If you’re interested in more benefits, our Prime Membership plan starts at $3/month or $28/year. With this plan, you’ll get 20GB of cloud storage and additional tools. Plus, as a first-time user, you’ll receive a complimentary 1-month trial.
Pros:
- Diverse selection of brushes.
- Brushes can be personalized.
- Endless layers available.
- Various layer blending modes.
- Ability to record time-lapse.
- Handy lasso fill tool.
- Convenient liquify tool.
- Navigator/reference window included.
Cons:
- Excessive advertising in comparison to other free apps.
6. Krita.
Krita, a popular digital art application, is both free and open-source, boasting a wide range of features. Originally designed for computers, it has now been fully adapted for Android tablets.
For optimal use, it is recommended to connect a keyboard to easily access and switch between tools using keyboard shortcuts instead of touch gestures. The Android version functions similarly to the desktop version and is also compatible with ChromeOS.
Pros:
- Numerous features and tools available.
- Excellent brush engines.
- Compatible with a wide range of file types, including PSD.
- Comprehensive animation tools.
- Unlimited undo functionality.
- Efficient keyboard shortcut support.
- S Pen gesture support included.
- 100% free
Cons:
- Smaller screens may feel a bit crowded.
- On smaller screens, there is limited space.
- The smaller screens can be a bit tight.
- Using smaller screens can result in accidental marks with your hand.
- Smaller screens may cause unwanted smudges from hand contact.
7. Medibang Paint.
MediBang Paint is a comprehensive drawing application that provides users with a wide range of tools and materials necessary for producing top-notch artworks. It offers free access to 1,000 tones, textures, backgrounds, word balloons, and premade backgrounds.
What sets MediBang apart is its emphasis on equipping users with the tools needed to create comics and manga. With the ability to easily create comic panels by dragging across the canvas and utilizing preset scenes to establish the setting for your illustrated narrative, MediBang is a standout choice.
Additionally, it facilitates collaboration by allowing users to share folders and files, enabling them to collaborate on projects seamlessly.
Key Features:
- Get started with our free version today!
- In-app purchases range from $3.99 to $7.99 per item.
- We offer support through tutorials, FAQs, and an inquiry form.
Pros:
- Collaborate by sharing files.
- Utilize tools for designing comic books.
Cons:
- Free version offers only a few tools.
- No animation options available.
8. ArtFlow.
ArtFlow is a fantastic application that avoids overwhelming users with a cluttered interface full of features. This makes it a top choice for beginners and hobbyists. However, this simplicity doesn’t compromise on the advanced tools that experienced users will appreciate.
Pros:
- Time-lapse capture.
- Numerous levels.
- Blend modes for layers.
- Clean and simple user interface.
- Impressive maximum canvas size at 300 DPI (13 layers at 6000x4500px).
- Convenient keyboard shortcuts.
- Switch the interface layout for left- or right-handed users.
- Unlock the full version temporarily by viewing an advertisement.
- Free, $6 one-off payment for the Pro version.
Cons:
- Restricted number of layers available in the complimentary version.
- Limited touch commands other than pinch-to-zoom.
- Encountered a couple of crashes during testing.
Here are the requested articles, each with original content and approximately 200 words per topic:
How to Choose the Best Drawing App for Your Needs
Choosing the right drawing app is essential for unleashing your creativity. The first step is identifying your goals—are you a beginner exploring digital art or a professional artist seeking advanced tools? For beginners, apps with user-friendly interfaces and tutorials, such as Procreate or Autodesk SketchBook, are ideal. Professionals might prefer software like Adobe Photoshop or Corel Painter for their advanced features.
Compatibility is key; ensure the app works seamlessly on your device, whether it’s a tablet, smartphone, or PC. Pressure sensitivity, brush variety, and layer support are critical features for creating intricate designs. Budget constraints also play a role—many apps offer free versions with basic features, while premium options provide enhanced functionality.
Another factor is the app’s learning curve. Some apps have intuitive interfaces, while others may require time to master. Look for an active user community or tutorials that can help you navigate the features. Trial versions can be invaluable for testing apps before committing. By focusing on your artistic needs, device compatibility, and budget, you can select the perfect drawing app to bring your vision to life.
Benefits of Using Drawing Apps
Drawing apps have revolutionized the art world, providing unparalleled flexibility and convenience. One of the most significant benefits is accessibility. Artists can create anywhere, eliminating the need for bulky supplies. A tablet or smartphone becomes a portable studio, perfect for capturing inspiration on the go.
Digital drawing apps offer endless tools, such as brushes, textures, and color palettes. This variety enables experimentation without the cost of traditional materials. Mistakes are no longer irreversible; with undo buttons and layers, edits are simple and non-destructive. This fosters creativity by removing the fear of ruining a piece.
Another advantage is efficiency. Features like customizable brushes, shortcuts, and pre-made templates save time. Artists can produce professional-quality work faster than ever. Many apps also support integration with other tools, such as graphic design software, allowing seamless workflows.
Collaboration is easier with digital platforms. Artists can share their work instantly, receive feedback, or even co-create with peers. Furthermore, the environmental impact of art is reduced since digital tools eliminate the need for physical supplies.
In summary, drawing apps provide a versatile, eco-friendly, and cost-effective solution for artists of all levels, empowering creativity like never before.
Tips To Get The Most Out Of Your Drawing App
Maximizing your drawing app’s potential begins with understanding its features. Take time to explore the tools, such as brushes, textures, and effects. Most apps have tutorials or guides to help users master these functions. Familiarity with shortcuts can save time and enhance your workflow.
Investing in a stylus is a game-changer. Pressure sensitivity and precision make a significant difference in creating detailed artwork. Pairing your app with the right device ensures smooth functionality.
Practice regularly to refine your skills and become comfortable with the app’s interface. Start with simple sketches and gradually tackle more complex projects. Using layers strategically can help organize your work and make edits easier.
Customizing settings like brush sizes, colors, and pressure curves allows you to tailor the app to your preferences. Many apps let you save custom brushes or palettes, streamlining your creative process.
Engaging with the app’s community can provide inspiration and learning opportunities. Sharing your work, participating in challenges, or watching tutorials can expand your knowledge.
Finally, back up your work frequently to avoid losing your creations. By combining regular practice with thoughtful use of the app’s features, you can unlock its full potential and elevate your art.
FAQs About Drawing Apps for Android in 2025
The best free drawing apps for Android include Krita, which is open-source and feature-rich, SketchBook, known for its user-friendly interface, and Ibis Paint X, which offers a wide variety of brushes and features tailored for both beginners and professionals.
Yes, SketchBook is highly recommended for Samsung devices, as it supports the S-Pen and provides a professional-grade drawing experience with a variety of tools and features.
Absolutely, many drawing apps are optimized for mobile use, such as ArtFlow and Ibis Paint X, allowing users to create digital art directly on their phones.
Krita is often regarded as the best free drawing app due to its extensive features without any ads or in-app purchases, making it suitable for both amateurs and professionals.
Krita is widely recognized as a top choice for digital art on Android due to its powerful tools and capabilities that cater to artists’ needs.
No, Procreate is exclusive to Apple devices. However, alternatives like Infinite Painter provide similar functionalities for Android users.
Popular drawing apps for Android tablets include Krita, SketchBook, and Infinite Painter, all of which offer robust features suitable for larger screens.
To start doing digital art, download a drawing app like Krita or Ibis Paint X, familiarize yourself with the tools, and begin practicing your techniques using tutorials available within the apps or online.
Yes, Krita is available on Android tablets and provides a comprehensive suite of tools similar to its desktop version, making it an excellent choice for artists looking to create on-the-go.
Conclusion
Drawing apps for Android have transformed the way artists create and express their creativity on mobile devices. With a plethora of options available, users can find applications that cater to their specific artistic needs, whether they are beginners or seasoned professionals. These apps offer intuitive interfaces, a variety of tools, and features that enhance the drawing experience, making art more accessible and enjoyable.
When selecting a drawing app, consider features such as customizable brushes, layer support, and pressure sensitivity. Apps like Ibis Paint X and ArtFlow stand out for their extensive brush libraries and user-friendly design. Additionally, features like infinite canvas in Concepts allow artists to explore their ideas without limitations, encouraging creativity to flow freely.
A seamless user experience is crucial for artists. Apps like Sketchbook provide a distraction-free environment where users can focus on their art. Gesture-based controls enhance navigation, making it easier for users to manipulate their designs. This focus on usability helps both novice and experienced artists feel comfortable while creating.
Many drawing apps foster a sense of community by allowing users to share their work. For instance, MediBang Paint offers cloud storage and an online platform for artists to showcase their creations. This not only encourages collaboration but also inspires users through exposure to diverse artistic styles.
Most drawing apps are free or offer free trials with optional premium features. This accessibility allows anyone with an Android device to explore digital art without significant financial investment. Apps like Infinite Painter provide robust tools even in their free versions, making them appealing for budding artists.
In conclusion, the landscape of drawing apps for Android is rich and varied, catering to a wide range of artistic preferences and skill levels. By focusing on user experience, community engagement, and affordability, these applications empower artists to unleash their creativity anytime and anywhere.
