Overview

Customizable brushes aim to reproduce the feel of traditional materials, while adjustable 3D reference models can help with character poses and backgrounds. The combination is useful for artists who want reference and drawing tools together, though Clip Studio Paint is a paid product with no free plan. Free trials run for up to six months, depending on platform.

Projects can be saved in compatible and industry-standard file formats for work across creative software. Clip Studio Assets adds downloadable brushes and materials, with GOLD available for purchasing materials. Monthly and annual plans include 10GB of cloud data, with the option to increase storage.

Key features

Drawing and comic creation

Comic tools cover panel frames, speech balloons, text, effect lines, screentones, and multi-page project management. That breadth makes the app a strong fit for people producing comics or manga, rather than someone seeking only a basic drawing canvas. EX is the plan aimed at comic artists and manga artists; PRO is positioned for concept artists, illustrators, and designers.

Animation

Both tiers approach animation differently: PRO supports simple animation up to 24 frames, while EX includes full-length animation tools, a light table, and onion-skin features. PRO is adequate for short animation work; animators who need full-length production tools should consider EX.

Learning and support

Official tutorials and instructional videos, a Q&A community, and a support team give new users several ways to learn the app and get help.

Pricing

Clip Studio Paint has monthly or annual subscriptions and one-time desktop licenses. The subscriptions include 10GB of cloud data and new features; the one-time licenses let users keep Version 5.0 indefinitely, but feature updates require a separately purchased Update Pass.

Plan	Price	Best fit and trade-offs
PRO Annual / Monthly Plan	0.99 USD per month (billed US$0.99~/month)	Illustrators, concept artists, and designers; includes new features, bonus materials, and 10GB of cloud data. First-time subscribers get up to three months free.
EX Annual / Monthly Plan	2.49 USD per month (billed US$2.49~/month)	Comic artists, manga artists, and animators who need multi-page management and full-length 2D animation features. Includes 10GB of cloud data; first-time subscribers get up to three months free.
PRO Ver. 5.0 Edition	63.00 USD per once (billed US$63.00)	Windows and macOS users who prefer a perpetual license; feature updates require the separately available Update Pass.
EX Ver. 5.0 Edition	277.00 USD per once (billed US$277.00)	Windows and macOS users who want a perpetual license plus PRO features and comic and animation tools; feature updates require the separately available Update Pass.
PRO Update Pass	10.99 USD per year (billed US$10.99 annually)	Windows and macOS license holders who want one year of updates; first-time users get the first month free.
EX Update Pass	31.99 USD per year (billed US$31.99 annually)	Windows and macOS license holders who want one year of updates; first-time users get the first month free.

EX costs more than PRO because it adds multi-page management and full-length animation tools. Choose PRO if its 24-frame animation limit is enough; choose EX when those expanded workflows matter. Subscription plans include new features, while perpetual licenses separate ongoing updates from the initial purchase.

Platforms

Clip Studio Paint is available for Windows, macOS, iPad, iPhone, Android, Galaxy, and Chromebook; the platform information also includes web. The listed subscription plans cover iPad, Android, Windows, macOS, and iPhone. Perpetual Version 5.0 licenses and Update Passes are limited to Windows and macOS, so mobile-first users need a subscription rather than a perpetual license.

Who it's for

PRO is the practical starting point for illustrators, concept artists, and designers who want customizable brushes, 3D references, and short-form animation. EX is the better match for comic and manga artists who need multi-page management, or animators who need full-length tools. Anyone who needs a free ongoing plan should look elsewhere; the trial is temporary and its length varies by platform.

Pros and cons

Pro: Drawing, 3D references, comic production, and animation tools serve several creative workflows in one app.
Pro: The two tiers let illustrators avoid paying for EX's expanded comic and animation capabilities when PRO is enough.
Pro: Subscription plans include 10GB of cloud data and new features.
Con: PRO animation is limited to simple work of up to 24 frames; full-length animation tools require EX.
Con: Perpetual licenses are desktop-only, and feature updates require a separate Update Pass.
Con: There is no free plan, so continuing to use the app requires a paid plan or license after the trial.

Alternatives

MediBang Paint is a freemium option for users who want a free plan across Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android; its listed Premium plans offer 20GB storage for 300.00 JPY per month or Premium100 for 500.00 JPY per month.
BlankComic is worth considering for a free comic-making option on Android, iOS, or web, with no subscription, account requirement, watermark, or hidden paid tiers.
Anifusion is a web-based freemium alternative.
GenToon is a freemium option on Android, iOS, and web, with a free tier of 150 credits per month and 20 characters.
Comic Life is a paid alternative for Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows; its Mac version is listed at 29.99 USD per once.
ComicsAI is a web-based freemium alternative with a free tier.
Dashtoon Studio is a web-based freemium alternative.
StoryComic AI is a web-based freemium alternative with a free tier that includes scripts, previews, character sheets, and starting credits.

For broader comparisons, see Comic Creation Software, Digital Painting Software, and Graphic Design Software.

Verdict

Clip Studio Paint is a strong choice for artists who want illustration and comic tools together, with PRO for drawing and short animation and EX for multi-page comics or full-length animation. Its main advantage is that range of creative tools; its main reason to look elsewhere is the cost and platform constraint of ongoing use, especially for those who want a free plan or a perpetual mobile license.

	Clip Studio Paint	Pixelformer
Free plan	No	No
Free trial	Yes	No
Paid from	—	—
Open source	No	No
Platforms	Android, iOS, macOS, Web, Windows	Windows
Free plan	No	Yes
Paid from	$0.99/user/mo	—
Illustration tools	Yes	—
Desktop app	Yes	Yes
Mobile app	Yes	—

Clip Studio Paint vs Pixelformer

Clip Studio Paint

Pixelformer