Top 5 Free Apps for Digital Cartoon Drawing

 Want to start drawing cartoons digitally without spending a dime?
Good news — today’s free apps offer powerful features that make it easy for beginners and pros alike to sketch, color, and create amazing cartoon art from anywhere.

Here’s a list of the Top 5 Free Apps for Digital Cartoon Drawing that you can download and start using right now.

 
1. IbisPaint X
Platform: iOS, Android

Why It's Great:
IbisPaint X is one of the most popular free apps for beginners who want to draw comics, cartoons, and manga-style art.
It offers hundreds of brushes, layers, stabilizers for smoother lines, and even time-lapse recording to replay your drawing process.

Features:

Huge variety of customizable brushes
Easy-to-use layer system
Built-in templates and comic tools
Tip: Ads can be removed with a small fee, but they’re non-intrusive in the free version.

 
2. Autodesk SketchBook
Platform: iOS, Android, Windows, Mac

Why It's Great:
Originally a paid app, SketchBook is now completely free — and incredibly powerful.
It has a clean, professional interface and tools designed for illustrators, cartoonists, and concept artists.

Features:

Intuitive layout that's beginner-friendly
Infinite canvas zoom
Predictive stroke smoothing (perfect for cartoon linework)
Tip: Save your work often — SketchBook autosaves but sometimes needs manual backups on older devices.

 
3. MediBang Paint
Platform: iOS, Android, Windows, Mac

Why It's Great:
If you love drawing comics or manga-style cartoons, MediBang Paint is your perfect match.
It offers cloud saving, comic panel creation tools, and a ton of free brushes and fonts.

Features:

Cloud-based so you can access your drawings across devices
Tons of free comic fonts
Easy drag-and-drop comic panel tools
Tip: Great for collaborations — MediBang lets you invite friends to work on projects together.

 
4. Krita
Platform: Windows, Mac, Linux

Why It's Great:
While Krita is mostly known for professional painting and illustration, it’s also a fantastic free tool for cartoonists.
Its customizable brushes and stabilizers are perfect for smooth cartoon inking and coloring.

Features:

Brush engines designed for comics and line art
Powerful color and blending tools
Open source and totally free (no hidden costs)
Tip: Krita works best on desktops or laptops — not tablets or phones (unless you have a Surface Pro).

 
5. Clip Studio Paint (Trial Version)
Platform: iOS, Android, Windows, Mac

Why It's Great:
While the full version is paid, Clip Studio Paint offers a free trial that’s so feature-packed, you can create full cartoon projects easily.
It’s beloved by professional manga artists, illustrators, and animators.

Features:

Unbeatable pen and brush quality
Animation tools included
Tons of downloadable assets (backgrounds, effects)
Tip: Take advantage of the trial’s unlimited features while you can — it's a great way to practice high-level digital cartooning for free!

 
🎨 Final Thoughts
You don’t need expensive software to start your cartoon drawing journey.
With the right free app, a little practice, and your imagination, you can create amazing characters, comics, and animations right from your phone, tablet, or computer.

Explore, experiment, and find the app that feels right for you — your best cartoon characters are just a few sketches away!