Aseprite
Aseprite is a desktop editor for creating pixel art and 2D animated graphics on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
What Aseprite is
Aseprite is a desktop editor for creating pixel art and 2D animated graphics on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Animation tools include layers, frames, cels, frame tags, playback modes, and onion skinning. Pixel-art controls provide palette management, a color wheel, pixel-perfect strokes, RotSprite rotation, tiled mode, custom brushes, and blend modes. Finished work can be exported as animated GIFs, PNG image sequences, and sprite sheets in PNG and JSON, with texture-atlas creation also supported. A command-line interface can handle image conversion in an assets pipeline. Extensions use the .aseprite-extension format, and Lua scripts are supported. Projects are saved on the local computer; there is no cloud or remote-server file functionality. The paid plan costs 19.99 USD one-time and includes a Steam key, updates up to v1.9, and priority email support. A trial exists for Windows, macOS, and Linux, but trial versions cannot save files. Artwork may be used in personal or commercial products.
Good
- Dedicated pixel-art drawing controls
- Layered 2D animation workflow
- Exports GIF, PNG, JSON, and sequences
- Command-line assets-pipeline integration
- Personal and commercial artwork use allowed
Watch out
- Trial cannot save files
- No cloud or remote-server file storage
- Linux precompiled build is not officially supported
- Updates included only up to v1.9
Who it suits
Aseprite suits artists and developers making pixel art, sprites, and frame-based 2D animation. It also fits pipelines needing command-line conversion, extensions, or Lua scripts.
Verdict
Aseprite offers focused pixel-art and animation tools with broad export and scripting support. Local-only files, trial limits, and the Linux support caveat should be considered before purchase.
Plans and prices
From Aseprite's own pricing page, checked 4 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Aseprite | $19.99, paid once | Windows, macOS, Ubuntu; updates up to v1.9; priority email support; one license per company developer · One-time minimum pledge for the 1.x version series |
The facts
Each one read from Aseprite's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Animation
- It supports layers, frames, cels, frame tags, playback modes, and onion skinning.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Commercial use
- The maker says artwork created with Aseprite may be used in personal or commercial products.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Export
- It can export animated GIFs, PNG image sequences, and sprite sheets in PNG and JSON, and create texture atlases.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Extensions and scripts
- Aseprite supports extensions in its `.aseprite-extension` format and Lua scripts.checked 4 Oct 2026
- License
- The FAQ says one copy can be installed on the buyer’s own computers, while companies need one license per developer; compiled versions cannot be redistributed.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Local files
- Aseprite saves work on the local computer and has no cloud or remote-server functionality for files.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Pipeline integration
- A command-line interface can integrate Aseprite into an assets pipeline for image conversion.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Pixel art tools
- Painting features include palette control, a color wheel, pixel perfect strokes, RotSprite rotation, tiled mode, custom brushes, and blend modes.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- The privacy policy says the website uses cookies and server logs, stores its site on Google Cloud Compute Engine in the United States, and stores backups in Google Cloud Storage in the European Union; it states that Igara respects GDPR privacy rights.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Purchase and updates
- A purchase includes a Steam key and updates up to v1.9, with Steam updates delivered automatically through the Steam client.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Aseprite is a desktop editor for drawing animated graphics and pixel art.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Support
- The maker offers priority email support with purchase and lists support hours as Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm UTC-3, in English and Spanish.checked 4 Oct 2026
Where it runs
- Linux caveat
- The FAQ says the precompiled Linux distribution is not officially supported by the team and recommends compiling Aseprite to address a window resizing issue.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Platforms
- The maker offers a Windows installer and portable ZIP, a macOS app bundle, and Ubuntu packages; the FAQ specifies Ubuntu 20.04 or greater for purchased packages.checked 4 Oct 2026
Money
- Trial limit
- The trial version cannot save files and is offered for Windows, macOS, and Linux.checked 4 Oct 2026
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