Drawpile

Overview

Drawpile brings live, shared-canvas drawing together with tools for layered artwork and animation. It is best suited to artists who want to create with others without paying for the software; its extensive brush and layer controls also make it a capable offline option for solo work.

The free, open-source model is a clear advantage, and official community servers remove the need to arrange hosting for a session. The trade-off is that browser-based iPhone and iPad use is the only iOS route, and hosting your own sessions takes care: the built-in server is not recommended.

For more options in this category, browse our Digital Painting Software list.

Key features

Brushes and layers

More than 200 built-in brushes, multiple brush engines, a brush editor and stroke stabilization give artists meaningful control over how marks look and behave. Pressure sensitivity is supported. Layers and groups include blend modes, alpha preserve, clipping groups, masking and alpha lock, so Drawpile is more than a bare shared sketchpad. That depth will matter to artists building complex compositions; anyone seeking only quick, informal doodling may not need it.

Animation and file exchange

A timeline and onion skins support animation, while OpenRaster and PSD export and the ability to paste images from files or other programs help fit Drawpile into an existing art workflow. Advanced color management is another useful capability for artists who need control over color. These features broaden its appeal beyond collaborative sketching, though the available animation and file details do not establish how it compares with specialist tools.

Collaboration, hosting and security

Official community servers let users start sessions without managing server infrastructure. Artists who want more control can operate their own Drawpile server, and external authentication can connect existing accounts while keeping passwords away from potentially untrusted third-party servers. The software does not send information to other networked systems unless a user or the person operating it specifically requests it.

Self-hosting carries a real caveat: the built-in server cannot accept browser connections, and exposing a home computer has security and privacy implications. For browser-accessible sessions, the official community servers are the more practical choice. Windows binaries are signed through SignPath.io, dependencies are pinned to known-good versions, and retrieved dependency sources receive SHA384 checks for each build. Support is available through Discord, IRC web chat, Matrix, GitHub issues and documentation.

Pricing

Drawpile costs nothing. The free plan is also free and open source under GPLv3, with official community servers available at no charge. There are no paid tiers or seat limits in the plan details, making it a straightforward fit for individual artists and groups that want shared sessions without a software subscription.

Platforms

Drawpile supports web, Windows, macOS, Linux and Android, as well as self-hosting. On iPhone and iPad, the browser version works, but there is no native iOS app because Apple does not allow Drawpile in its store. That makes it less suitable for people who specifically want an installed iOS drawing app.

Who it's for

Choose Drawpile if you want to draw or animate with other people on a shared canvas, need detailed brush and layer controls, or value free software that can also work offline. It is particularly appealing to groups that can use official community hosting or are comfortable operating their own server. Look elsewhere if native iOS support is essential or if you need a self-hosted setup that works in browsers without the stated server limitation.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Free, open source and usable offline, with no paid plan required for access.
• Pros: More than 200 brushes, customizable brush behavior, stabilization, pressure sensitivity and a detailed layer system suit serious illustration as well as group drawing.
• Pros: Animation tools and OpenRaster and PSD export extend its usefulness beyond a live sketch session.
• Pros: Free official community servers avoid the work of arranging session hosting.
• Cons: There is no native iPhone or iPad app, only browser access.
• Cons: The built-in server is not recommended; browser users cannot connect to sessions hosted that way, and exposing a home computer has security and privacy risks.

Alternatives

• ibisPaint is worth considering for iOS users who want a native app; its free version includes unlimited usage time and 64MB of cloud storage, with advertisements.
• Krita is another free, open-source choice for solo painting on Linux, macOS or Windows, without subscriptions or trials.
• Sketchbook offers a free mobile application with brushes, layers, guides, rulers and stroke tools for artists who want those tools on iOS as well as Android.
• FireAlpaca is a free option for Linux, macOS and Windows that includes customizable brushes, layered artwork, animation tools and CMYK display.
• MediBang Paint supports iOS and Android as well as desktop platforms; its Premium plans include cloud storage, with the 20GB plan priced at ¥300 a month with auto renewal at the web price.
• MyPaint is a free alternative for Linux, macOS and Windows.
• Concepts may suit users looking for a mobile-oriented alternative on Windows, iOS or Android; its Pro monthly subscription is $4.99 a month.
• HEAVYPAINT is another freemium option available on web, desktop and mobile platforms.

Verdict

Drawpile is an easy recommendation for artists and groups who want a genuinely capable shared canvas without a subscription. Its combination of brush depth, layers, animation and free community hosting is the main reason to choose it. Look elsewhere if you need a native iOS app or browser access to a self-hosted session.