Discover the top 10 comic book creation programs that every aspiring comic book creator should consider. From Adobe Photoshop to Procreate, find the perfect tool for bringing your ideas to life.
Best Comic Book Creation Programs.
Discover the best programs for creating comics , with guides and advice for beginners and professionals. Choose the right tool for you!
Until a few years ago, creating a comic required a lot of effort and time, the creation of hand drawings induced artists and enthusiasts to buy pencils, colors and create a real work station. Nowadays, however, thanks to technology and programs for creating comics , it is much easier to create quality work even for those who do not have specific skills on this subject.
Maybe you’ve already read our guides on how to turn photos into anime or the best apps for photo caricatures , but you need something more. Today we’re going to analyze the most interesting software for creating a comic and the tips not to forget to get good results.
When we refer to a program for creating comics we mean a tool that allows you to give life to stories , ideas and drafts on a digital sheet instead of on a sheet of paper. The software provides you with various functions for drawing , coloring , assembling tables and adding effects . You can opt for a professional program that can be installed on your PC or simply for a more practical and faster smartphone App .
Types of programs for creating comics
As you can imagine, comic book programs are not all the same, they can differ not only in functionality , but also in other features . In fact, there are different types of comic book programs, but we can divide them into these macro-categories: vector software , bitmap software , mobile apps and online software.
Vector software
This type of program uses mathematical points , vectors , to create images . Unlike scalar software, it allows you to generate logos , writings , comics and much more without losing resolution. The main advantages are high quality , infinite scalability and the ease with which you can modify the drawings. Inkscape and Adobe Illustrator are among these.
Bitmap software
A comic book program can also be bitmap , that is, it has the ability to use pixels to create images . Each pixel determines the image quality and resolution by defining its colors, therefore, a good bitmap software allows you to have realistic effects . Ideal especially for digital painting. Krita and Adobe Photoshop are good choices in this case.
Mobile App
You don’t necessarily have to download a program to create comics from your PC, you can also rely on mobile apps . These are much easier to use than their desktop counterparts and you can always carry them with you. The advantages to highlight are their practicality , ease of use and their very low cost if not free. MediBang Paint and Procreate are often the most downloaded solutions.
Online software
This type of comic book software, on the other hand, allows you to directly use the servers of an online service for your work. You can access it from your web browser and benefit from advanced free tools and in some cases even in real time with other employees. Canva and Comic Life , for example, are online software.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Comic Book Creator
When you need to choose a program to make comics, you have to pay attention to some factors, which can make the difference.
Platform
First of all, make sure you choose a tool that is compatible with your operating system , be it Linux , Windows or macOS . Buying a Windows-compatible program on your Mac would be a poor investment.
Budget
Not all comic book programs are free, in fact, some of them are particularly expensive, especially if they are professional. Carefully evaluate your budget and opt for a free , mid-range or expensive program based on your needs. A mid-range tool costs around 20-100 euros , while an expensive solution can exceed 100 euros .
Experience level
A cartooning program can also be complicated to use, especially if you are inexperienced. You could be a beginner or a professional and this would greatly influence your choice of program. If your level is high, then you can take advantage of all the advanced features of a professional program .
Goals
When choosing a program to draw comics, also evaluate your goals . Consider whether you want to create a work in color or black and white , as well as whether you need advanced tools to animate the drawings or add specific effects . Therefore, evaluate what your goals are and, if you do not have particular demands, even a free program could be more than fine.
The best programs for creating comics
Now that we have taken a look at the factors that are needed to choose comic book drawing programs, let’s find out which ones are the best and what they offer you.
Clip Studio Paint (Windows, macOS)
A very popular comic book software is Clip Studio Paint , one of the best for creating quality works with easy-to-use tools. It offers several specialized comic book tool sets, such as customizable panels, stylistic effects, realistic brushes, and balloon management. The price is currently around €49.99 for the Pro version and €219.99 for the EX version . It is available for Windows and macOS with a 30-day free trial ; on Android and iOS , you can use it for free for 1 hour a day . Suitable for both experts and beginners.
Pros:
- Various advanced tools for drawing and coloring
- Excellent layer management.
- Graphics tablet support.
Against:
- Steep learning curve for beginners.
- Expensive mobile version.
- Requires a high-performance PC.
Krita ( Windows , macOS, Linux )
Another highly rated comic book software is Krita , a free open-source solution that gives you access to many digital drawing and painting features, such as: customizable panels, advanced layers, inking tools, dynamic brushes, color management. It is available for Windows , macOS and Linux and is great if you are a beginner or a hobbyist.
Pros:
- It’s free.
- Wide range of brushes and painting tools.
- Support for multiple file formats.
Against:
- Requires high system resources for large projects.
- Not very intuitive and updates are rare.
- Some advanced features are missing.
MediBang Paint ( Windows , macOS , Android, iOS )
If you love comics and are looking for an easy-to-use software, a good solution is MediBang Paint , completely free and perfect for making illustrations and comics with features such as: multiple layers, drawing tools, panel templates, text management and brush effects. It offers in-app purchases with extra features and is compatible with Windows , macOS , Android and iOS . A great choice for beginners and hobbyists.
Pros:
- It is free with many comic book features.
- Simplified and beginner-friendly interface.
- Cloud storage to work on multiple devices.
Against:
- Ads and limited features in the free version.
- Cloud sync not always fast.
- Limited advanced tools.
GIMP (Windows, macOS, Linux)
To draw comics on your PC you could also rely on GIMP , a free open-source image editor also suitable for this type of work. It offers support for layers, advanced selections, masks, filters, support for plugins, color editing, text tools and vector drawing. It works on Windows, macOS and Linux. Recommended for those with an intermediate level or are professionals.
Pros:
- It is free and open source.
- Wide range of image editing tools.
- Support for various digital formats.
Against:
- It’s not easy to use.
- It is less focused on comics than other programs.
- Lack of native support for CMYK (necessary for professional printing).
Adobe Photoshop (Windows, macOS)
When it comes to software for drawing comics, the Adobe company offers you many solutions, but among the best is Photoshop . A true point of reference for those who want to digitally draw comics, illustrations and photo editing, benefiting from advanced tools and integrations with many other Adobe tools . It offers customizable brush tools, support for layers, advanced masks, text effects, precise selections, color management and artistic filters. It costs around €24 per month (with a Creative Cloud subscription) and is available for Windows and macOS . Especially suitable for professionals.
Pros:
- Advanced and customizable tools.
- Extensive plugin support and integration with other Adobe software.
- Constant updates and professional support.
Against:
- High subscription cost.
- High learning curve.
- Requires high-performance hardware.
Procreate (iOS)
Among the best programs for comics there is also Procreate , an application for iPad and iPhone particularly popular and ideal for the creation of comics , illustrations and animations . It presents: customizable brushes, layer and mask tools, blending options, precise color control, brush stabilizer, and animation mode. It costs about € 14 without a subscription and is compatible only with iOS mobile devices . Suitable for professionals and hobbyists.
For other programs, you can read our guide on the best apps for drawing on iPad .
Pros:
- Intuitive interface.
- Wide variety of customizable brushes.
- Various offline features.
Against:
- It is only compatible with iOS devices.
- It does not offer a free trial version.
- Limited support for complex text and layout.
Autodesk Sketchbook (Windows, macOS, iOS, Android)
If you were wondering how to make a comic on your computer without spending anything, then the answer could be: Autodesk Sketchbook . Free software ideal for illustrations, comics and sketches is compatible with Windows , macOS , iOS and Android . Although it is not a tool developed specifically for drawing comics, it is excellent for beginners.
Pros:
- Simple and fluid interface, ideal for touchscreens and digital pens.
- Various advanced drawing tools.
- Available for both PC and mobile devices.
Against:
- Limited animation options.
- Lack of specific tools for advanced text management.
- Slightly basic for professional users.
Helpful tips for creating a comic
To create online cartoons or comics from your desktop PC you will need a program that suits your needs. Between free tools, paid tools and smartphone applications the choice is very wide and this leads you to evaluate different factors. Although the choice is not among the simplest, when you use these tools you will almost always find the same errors. Let’s see, therefore, what advice not to forget to create a quality drawing.
- Write a compelling script: A good comic has something to tell first and foremost. No matter how great the graphics are, if it had nothing to say it would become unappealing to readers. Spend a lot of time writing the story before drawing.
- Create interesting and believable characters: as well as try to develop engaging and nuanced protagonists . Creating manga online , for example, requires more accurate characterization than a graphic novel.
- Drawing effective storyboards: Making a small storyboard can help you have a clear idea of the sequence to draw.
- Choosing the right drawing style: Don’t forget to define the style of your comic. Making comics online or on your PC can change your approach to style a lot, experiment with what you think is best for your story .
- Use colors and lettering effectively: Different cartooning software gives you access to advanced tools to change colors and lettering . Visual communication is very important, creating the right atmosphere can make the difference. Use colors that can ensure comfortable reading .
Conclusions
Have you tried any of these programs to create comics ? What is your opinion? If you know of other interesting software, do not hesitate to write to us from the Contact section . Your experience can be useful for other artists and enthusiasts. Do not miss other articles and stay in touch with us by subscribing to our Newsletter .